Categories: Mum's SanctuaryParentingTaking Care of Yourself

Avoiding The Mummy Hermit Effect

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This is what we like to call that thing where you haven’t had to go outside for anything longer than a day (or so) and progressively it means you no longer want to! and so the mummy hermit cycle begins!

I don’t remember this ever happening when I was childless so I am putting it down to parenthood!

Working from home and being lucky enough, not to have to commute (or really go anywhere if I don’t want to) means that I have to make a conscious effort to leave the house – if only for an hour or so with the bambino! whether it be a walk to the shops or the park.

Sure, we play games indoors and do fun crafts and activities (very car central at the moment) but that is no substitute for outside! and I find the less we go outside the less we want to ( it’s a slippery slope!)

Some weeks that are very rainy (or if we are hit by a bout of sickness) mean that we are indoors for a few days, or most of the week and when it clears up again it feels like a chore to go back out!

This happened most recently during half term! I had no netball *cries inside* and the little monster was sick for three days and barely did anything but cry and look sorry for himself (bless him) but this meant we barely did anything or went anywhere! I didn’t even get dressed out of my jammies for two of those days!

I have to remember that going outside is good for you! vitamin D (which you get from sunshine) aids in reducing depression and makes you happy (yay for happiness) so we try and make simple little changes if we start getting into the hermit cycle again!

3 Simple Ways We Avoid The Mummy Hermit Cycle

1. Plan something different

We try and make a break in our routine or do something different! try a new class or activity or even something simple like finding new outdoor games to play!

2. Meet up with someone

This is more for holding us accountable for being somewhere! Also, we get to see people in the process and have some fun outside of the house!

Meet up With someone!

3. Go for a walk

Sometimes it is just fresh air and sunshine that is all you need to remind you that there is a big bright world out there are you need to be a part of it! Plus you get some exercise in too! Win Win!

Sometimes life gets in the way and you can’t avoid staying in for a couple of days and it’s something I am definitely guilty of but I am working on it! I just have to remember to break the cycle and try to prevent it from happening again! *she says, still in her jimjams at 11am* (I’m a work in progress)