Self-Care Ideas for Busy Moms
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Prior to having kids, I thought self-care meant mini getaways or spa treatments, but in this period of my life, self-care looks a lot different. I’m in the thick of the toddler mom era of my life, so between all of the day to day tasks and the mom guilt that nags at me that I could be doing better, sometimes you can feel burnt out. Over the past couple years, I’ve learned that the pressures of motherhood are not going anywhere, but there are things I can do to help fill my cup. What I love about this point in my life is that I discovered that it really doesn’t take too much to make me happy. I’ve found simple ways for me to get the self-care I need to feel fulfilled as a stay-at-home mom. And with all that said, here are simple self-care ideas for the busiest moms!
Learn Something New
One of the things that weighed heavy on me was the feeling that I put the other aspects of my life on pause to be a stay-at-home mom. At times, it felt like I was staying stagnant in any progress with goals that I once had. Oftentimes, moms can feel like they’re stuck in a rut. But, I found that making new goals, outside of professional goals, like learning new skills or hobbies ignites a fire inside. In a weird way, learning something new makes me feel young again. In this day and age, learning is easier than ever with the availability of books, the internet and different mediums of learning material. Learning new skills can make you feel proud of yourself and in turn contribute to a positive feeling of self worth!
Treat Yourself
One form of self-care is treating yourself to buying something new once in a while. As a stay-at-home mom, I never think twice about buying things for my kids, but sometimes I feel guilty buying anything new for myself. However, I learned that sometimes it’s okay to treat yourself within reason. Of course, this would still need to be a discussion with your partner, like any other financial decision, but buying something, like a new set of pajamas or a book you’ve been wanting to read can make a difference in your day. Moms work hard all day, it’s okay to accept a physical reward!
Light Exercise
Exercise is an excellent source of self-care because I feel like well rounded self-care includes caring for your overall health, both mental and physical. I say light exercise because I was never an avid athlete before having kids, but adding physical activity to your day, even if it means squeezing in a short 10 minute Pilates YouTube video, is a step in the right direction. There’s something about having kids that changes your perspective on exercise. Not only do I want to model good health in front of my children, having kids gives me even more of a reason to stay healthier for a longer time. I want to be healthy and strong enough to enjoy life as I age and to see where life takes my children when they get older.
Rediscover Old Hobbies
Rediscovering old hobbies has been one of my favorite forms of self-care as a mom. Even before having kids, my music and baking hobbies definitely took a backseat as life happened. Digging into the things that made me happy when I was younger and sharing them with my kids has been such a blessing. Now that my kids are getting to be older toddlers, I am starting to do some hobbies with my children. And, I have to say, it’s been so fun sharing my interests with my budding little artists! I’m finding that casually sharing my passions and interests with my kids satisfies both myself and my children!
Eat a Snack
I remember there was a time that I was so focused on taking care of my first born when he was a baby that oftentimes it was at the cost of going hungry. Looking back at the time, I was definitely pouring from an empty cup. My kids have multiple breaks in the day to eat a snack, why not join them? Self-care should include nourishing your body.
Take a Nap
I think it’s safe to say that we can all use a nap on most days. It’s so easy to want to get ahead on chores when your kids are taking a nap, but a power nap for yourself might give you more bang for your buck. So, set your alarm for 15 minutes and sleep. Your chores will still be waiting for you when you wake up, but at least you will have gotten some much needed rest before tackling your laundry.
Call (or Text) a Friend
Call a friend and have a chat! Having adult contact outside the family, with people that you enjoy spending time with, is a great form of self-care. Often, life takes everyone, including close friends, in different directions. But, finding time to maintain relationships through brief calls and texts, can feed your soul more than you know.
Skincare
Having a short skincare routine is such a great way to ensure your getting mini doses of self-care everyday, even when you don’t feel like you have the time to dedicate to self-care. I’ve shared a couple skincare routines in previous blog posts that are both nourishing and quick. So, if you haven’t read about my “Morning Skincare Routine for Busy Moms,” and “Evening Skincare Routine for Busy Moms,” feel free to give them a read! Taking care of your skin is super easy to fit into your schedule once you find a routine and products that are compatible with your skin.
Wear Makeup
It seems silly, but wearing makeup, even if I don’t feel like I have a good reason to, does wonders for my self-esteem. Having a quick, go-to makeup routine ensures that you can squeeze it into your busy schedule and it’s an easy way to give your confidence a boost during the day. If you don’t already have a makeup routine in mind, check out my “5 Minute Makeup Routine for Tired Moms” blog post for some tips and good product recommendations.
Just like how self-care looks different depending on what season of life you are in, it may look different from person to person. I would encourage you to think about what things make you happy and personalize your self-care regimen. Realistically, I may not be able to do every single thing on this list daily, but doing at least one thing for yourself everyday will do wonders for you as a mom. In reality, I do about half of this list on a daily basis and the other half I rotate during free time after my kids go to sleep at night. Many moms still have the ability to give though they have an empty cup, but you don’t have to. There is a world, where everyone gets what they need. Take some time to figure out what makes you happy and reward yourself!
