10 Self Care Ideas For Moms
Being a mom is undeniably fulfilling, I know that from experience. But, I won’t deny that it comes with a lot of responsibilities as well.
Because a mom usually puts the needs of her family before her own, the responsibilities you have as a mom can take time away from the time you have for yourself.
Not too surprisingly, many moms start to feel burned out. And unfortunately, going away for some “me-time” often makes moms feel guilty.
So, for all you tired, overworked moms out there just barely running on fumes, this one’s for you. Here are some ideas for moms who struggle to make time for self-care, because really, we’re all in this together!
10 Self Care Ideas For Moms
What Is Self-Care?
Self care is so much more than just soaking in a luxurious bubble bath or taking a trip to the spa. Self care means taking care of yourself. It means preventing illness and improving your quality of life.
Even the World Health Organization recognizes that, alongside help from a healthcare professional, physical and mental self-care is important for a person’s overall well being.
There are a lot of self-care activities you can do that don’t require a lot of time and preparation. Let’s discuss some of my favorites!
Go for a walk.
It doesn’t matter if it’s a 5 minute walk around the block or an hour-long stroll through your favorite park. Breathe in the fresh air and get moving! Being physically active is good for your mind, body, and soul.
Read a book.
When was the last time you really got lost in a book? When you can’t actually escape what’s going on around you, get lost in a fictional world instead. It’s a great way to power down and relax.
Enjoy lunch with a friend.
Even if it means calling a friend and inviting them over for sandwiches in your cluttered kitchen, socializing with a friend is a surprisingly effective way to hit the reset button. If you can get away for lunch somewhere else, great. But if not, that’s OK too. It’s the quality conversation with someone you care about (that isn’t your kid) that’s most important.
Journal.
One of the things I love about journaling is that there is no wrong way to do it. You can write. You can doodle. You can scrapbook. You can use a spare notebook or even a coloring book. Your journal is YOURS and it’s a great way to work through your thoughts and emotions.
Meditate.
Meditation is a great way to practice self-care. Even just a few minutes of deep breathing is surprisingly effective self-care for moms. It may even help you cope with illness or a current health condition.
Try crafting.
Sometimes self-care includes trying something new. Especially if it’s something you’ve been wanting to try but haven’t had the time to. Whether it’s scrapbooking, knitting, crocheting, painting, or a different kind of craft, crafting is often a great way to “escape” from stress and find some peace amid the chaos of everyday life.
Go window shopping.
Window shopping is a great way to practice self-care. Even if you don’t have time to actually hit the shops, you can try “digital window shopping” which means visiting various stores on your phone or tablet and browsing products, but not actually buying anything. You might be surprised by how relaxing the mindless scrolling can be. If you’re not sure where to start, start here on my LTK page!
Do a puzzle.
Doing a jigsaw puzzle is another great way to unwind and relax when things seem chaotic all around you. It’s an enjoyable activity that doesn’t require a whole lot of effort, which is why it’s a perfect way to practice self-care.
Take a nap.
You might have what feels like a million things on your to-do list, but sometimes sleep is exactly what your mind and body needs. Allow yourself to rest when you can.
Pamper yourself.
There are several ways you can pamper yourself without having to leave home. Give yourself a pedicure. Use a sheet mask to treat yourself to a facial. Slip into a cozy bathrobe and sip on a cup of warm tea. However you can spoil yourself, even if it’s only for a few minutes, do it!
If you’re looking for a place to start when it comes to beauty & self-care, shop my favorite products HERE.
How Important Is Self-Care For Moms?
Self-care helps you manage stress.
Self-care is an important part, possibly even the most important part of managing stress. And we all know that motherhood is stressful, as if life in general isn’t already stressful enough. When you take care of yourself, you are better equipped, mentally and physically, to tackle that stress.
Self-care is important for physical and mental health.
To promote health and prevent disease, you need to make self-care a priority. As mentioned earlier, the benefits and importance of self-care are recognized by the World Health Organization, proving that it truly does affect your physical and mental health. Self-care often gives you just the reset you need to maintain good health.
Self-care allows you to be the best version of you.
It sounds a little cheesy but it’s true. Self-care is literally caring for and working on yourself so that you can be better physically and mentally. That’s why self-care looks different for everyone.
That said, you can’t become the best version of you overnight. You have to work at it regularly, which is why self-care needs to become a regular part of your routine. And remember, it’s not selfish to take care of yourself, especially when it means you can be better for those around you.
Taking care of yourself makes it easier to take care of others.
Speaking of being better for people around you, taking care of yourself makes it much easier to care for others, especially your kids.
Taking care of children requires a lot of patience. And while many people assume patience comes naturally in motherhood, it actually takes quite a bit of practice to become more patient and understanding. But if you’re overworked, patience is often the first thing to go.
You’re setting a good example.
The saying “treat others how you would want to be treated” also applies to how you treat yourself. And since your children are always watching you, you’re setting an example for how they should treat themselves. If you have unhealthy habits that include overworking yourself, you’re teaching your kids that it’s acceptable.
Instead, set a good example by showing your kids that self-care is important. Teach them that taking a break and focusing on your mental health is a priority too. In the end, you and your kids will both benefit from it.
What is your favorite way to practice self-care?
I would love to hear about the ways you practice self-care. What have you found to be the most effective? Do you enjoy date nights with your partner or sneaking in a nap on the sofa? Or maybe you’ve tried something and it didn’t work for you. Tell me about it!
To read more about how I make the most of my time, both by myself and with my family, head over to the blog.
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