"A mother is a person who, seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie." –Tenneva Jordan

It’s true that once you enter motherhood, you start living with everyone else’s welfare foremost on your mind. Before you know it, you have spread yourself too thin that you don’t even have any time for yourself! In reality, you can still fulfill your role as a mother without having to lose yourself in the process. Before the chronic "mom guilt" starts sinking in, here are top 5 tips to taking a little more care of yourself:

1. Time Out!

You give them to your kids, so why shouldn’t you have them yourself? Give yourself a break. Think of it this way: even corporations allow employees a 15-minute break every three to four hours. Your "corporation" consists of you and your family; it’s okay to take a short break. Enjoy a steaming cup of coffee, go back to the best parts of your favorite book, take a short walk around your lawn, do anything you please!

But if you’re already guilt-stricken with taking 15 minutes off, how about starting with just five? Go ahead, grab it and do nothing. Just pause, breathe deeply, sit quietly. Being still will reconnect you with your instincts.

2. Laugh Out Loud

Studies have shown that laughter lowers your levels of cortisol, a stress hormone. So go ahead, laugh your heart out at your hubby's corny jokes or at your little critter’s silly made-up words or even at yourself! Laugh when you can and even when you feel like you can’t. It’s all a matter of how you look at the circumstances you’re in. Nothing good ever came out of answering a negative situation with a negative attitude.

3. Indulge Yourself

Indulge in simple pleasures each day: a cup of your favorite brew, a bar of decadent chocolate, a spritz of your favorite perfume, a manicure, a pedicure. You’ve been a hardworking momma, so reward yourself with some pampering every now and then. When it’s too difficult to feel good on the inside, start with small steps on the outside. Sometimes it’s easier to feel good when you know you look good. Wear a little lipstick, take out those favorite pearls you only wear on Christmas, or play around with your hairstyle.

Women know that their hair is their crowning glory practically since birth. Add instant flair to it with the right hair accessories. Choose a style that suits your personality. If you’re shy and girly, then flower hair clips are perfect. Plus, these ultra feminine hair clips are fashionable again this year. If you’re daring and a little quirky, then try hair bows in shocking, unexpected colors! Even Lady Gaga seems to have taken a liking to unique hair bows that demand attention all their own.

4. Bribe the Baby!

Sometimes, you just really have to give in. If there seems to be nothing that can console your little firecracker, maybe she’s trying to tell you that she wants a little Mom-and-Me time. Help her ease into a better mood by showering her with baby gifts. You can play dress-up with pretty dresses and bows. Prettify her with adorable hair clips that make her feel like the "fairest one of all."

Of course, you’ll have to make sure that these hair accessories will stay put even when she moves around. Choose a brand that is guaranteed non-slip. Plus points if the clips are lightweight so that they don’t bother her. I personally go for trusted brands, like No Slippy Hair Clippy. They’re the pioneers in non-slip hair accessories and a top choice among celebrity parents. Whichever brand you choose, remember, good mood baby = better mood mommy.

5. Know "NO"

I know, I know, it’s not the easiest thing to do. But you need to decide on your priorities and stick to them. Even if you’re convinced otherwise, you are not superwoman and it is not your job to do everything. You’ll have to learn how to say "No" to yourself, too. It’s okay to give some of the housework to your family. Let your kids make their own beds, and be okay with how they do it no matter how sloppy! They’ll get used to it eventually and it’ll prove to be good training for them. If your husband makes dinner, don’t whine about how hot dogs aren’t "dinner-dinner," but show gratitude.

Motherhood is like a complicated maze. There are so many twists and turns and sometimes, dead-ends. Like all puzzles, you eventually figure it out and get better at it. But you’ll have to be in good shape to survive it. Taking care of yourself will ensure that you have the energy to navigate through this maze in a way that will positively impact both you and your kids.