Self care is so important for moms, but it can be hard to find the time and energy to take care of yourself.
This list of self care tips for moms will help you make time for yourself and feel better. Whether you need a break from your kids or just some time to relax, these tips will help you feel refreshed and rejuvenated.
So don’t wait any longer, start taking care of yourself today! Keep reading for to learn more about self care for busy moms!
Photo by Logan Nolin on Unsplash
Self Care Tips for Moms
Why Self Care Matters & Super Simple Ways To Treat Yourself
You’ve probably heard the term “self care” used a lot lately.
If you’re a busy mom like me, it can be difficult finding time for self care. I can’t stress the importance of taking care of yourself though, it’s a must!
Print Now: Self Care Bundle
About Self Care
Self care covers a lot of areas with regard to caring for yourself. It involves nurturing your body, mind and spirit.
It focuses on building yourself up so that your internal resources don’t become depleted.
It requires you to show yourself some compassion and encourages you to be vulnerable with others, asking for help you when you need it.
The Benefits of Self Care
There are lots of benefits to practicing self care.
Giving all your energy to those around you without filling your own cup back up leaves you depleted and empty.
Spending time and effort on yourself rejuvenates and energizes you. Taking time to indulge in your own interests demonstrates your worth, leading to improved self-esteem and a more positive outlook on the world.
It teaches you a lot about yourself and provides you with insight into what you need to be the best version of yourself.
Self-care helps you better cope with stress and to prioritize what’s important to you. You’ll be better able to take care of your family when you also take time to meet your own needs.
Examples of Self Care
There are countless ways to add self care into your routine.
The key is to choose activities that are most enjoyable to you and provide you with the most benefits.
Going for a walk in nature is great for those who enjoy the outdoors. If you have small children that are still in strollers, they can benefit from a walk as much as we can! Otherwise, see if your husband can watch the kids while you go out for a walk a few times per week, even if it means you are getting in your exercise earlier or later in the day. Try to fit it in when you can.
Other forms of exercise like yoga, running or going to the gym work well, too. When my children were little, I looked for gyms that offered childcare while I worked out so that I could have some me time.
Spending time with friends can be rejuvenating, but so can saying no. Allowing yourself to decline invitations or favors when you’re feeling run-down is a big part of caring for yourself. Learn to recognize when you are needing time to be alone to recharge or needing time to be around others.
Treating yourself to a favorite, affordable indulgence like a movie, manicure or ice cream cone are all good examples. As is taking a bath or meditating. These are just a few of the ways you can easily incorporate self care into your life.
Start and End Your Day With A Little Self Care
Like any new habit, adding self care into your life can seem kind of tricky, especially if you aren’t used to this idea.
You probably wonder how you’ll manage to find time to do anything extra for yourself when you aren’t taking care of the kids, let alone how you’ll actually remember o do these things.
One of the best ways to get started is to build your activities into predictable parts of your day.
In order to make something a habit, it has to happen regularly. Keep reading, and I’ll show you some tricks to making self care a routine part of your life.
Make It Personal
The first thing that will help you in creating your self care rituals is to choose activities that are meaningful to you and that you enjoy.
You’ll want to be sure it’s customized in order to get the most out of it. Consider making a list of things that help you to feel relaxed, peaceful, excited or happy.
These activities should be able to be done in a short amount of time and easily fit into your life without special equipment or tools.
For example, I love to ride by stationary bike at the end of the day when the kids are in bed. I put on my headphones and listen to my favorite playlist while I work out. It’s not always a long bike ride, sometimes 15-30 minutes is all I need.
Ways to Pamper Yourself as a Busy Mom
Fit It In
As mentioned above, you should add your self care rituals to the most convenient parts of your day. Choose times that are already somewhat flexible so that incorporating something new into that space will be less stressful.
Many people go with morning or evening routines, right when they wake up and before going to sleep each night.
Getting up fifteen minutes earlier than usual and setting aside a window during the usual night time schedule are usually things most folks can do.
However, maybe designating your daily lunch break as your self care time might work better for you.
Consider activities like writing a gratitude journal entry before bed, listening to music while having your morning coffee or going for a short walk over your lunch hour.
Be Flexible
It’s best to come up with a routine that works for you and stick to it. Committing to a particular schedule will help you to create a habit and ensures that you get the self-care you need.
However, try to cut yourself some slack. Some days are more hectic than others. You may not be able to fit in your anticipated self-care activity, and that’s okay. Tomorrow is a new day, and you can try again.
Soon, you’ll find yourself wanting to take part in these rituals, and getting back on track will be easy.
Getting into the practice of regular self care doesn’t have to be difficult. Making a few adjustments to your existing schedule can free up some space in your day.
Choose things that will refresh you and that are simple in nature will make getting started a breeze.
Self Care Checklist
Try Something New Today To Care For Yourself
Another way to keep things interesting is to treat yourself to things you’ve always wanted to do. Adding new and novel experiences to your self care routine is like giving yourself a little gift every day. It’s a great way to stay motivated to do things to care for yourself.
Pamper Yourself
Taking physical care of yourself in a pampering way makes us feel good. Pampering is a go-to for many people when it comes to their self care routine.
Think of something you’ve never done before. It doesn’t have to be expensive. A small act of indulgence can have the same effect as an extravagant one.
Consider scheduling a manicure if you’ve never had one. A bubble bath with candles can be soothing if this is something you don’t do very often.
If your budget will allow, a spa day with a friend could rejuvenate your body and spirit.
Celebrate Today
Most of us don’t buy ourselves presents very often or even give ourselves little treats. You can change that starting now.
Think of something within your budget you’ve been wanting for a while now. Then give yourself permission to buy it. Maybe it’s that snazzy pair of shoes you’ve had your eye on or the cell phone upgrade that would make your life easier.
Giving yourself one gift, no matter how small, can be a boost to your self-worth.
Enjoy the Little Things
Self care really doesn’t have to be on a grand scale. The tiniest gestures can be the most meaningful. Indulging in small free or low-cost treats allows you to spoil yourself more often.
What are some little things you’ve never done for yourself that you can start adding to your life today?
Have you ever bought yourself flowers? Give it a try. You’ll get a boost every time you see that beautiful bouquet on your table or desk. I LOVE to keep a fresh bouquet of flowers in my kitchen at all times.
Think of your favorite food item, the one you have on special occasions. Why not make one day a week a little more special by trying a new version of it? For example, commit yourself to tasting a new truffle each week at your favorite cholate shop. Get creative with it.
Adding new experiences to your self care routine keeps things interesting and can also help make them more meaningful. Novelty will also expand your world and enrich your life. Plus, it’s just fun!
Make A List Of 5 Simple Self-Care Routines You Can Fall Back On When Needed
Having a list of self care routines can make it easier for you to implement them when needed.
Make a List
Let’s start with your self care backup plan. Make a list of at least five activities you can easily fit in your life during the most stressful periods.
Having such a reminder on hand will let you gain the benefits of caring for yourself without having to think about it too much.
This list can include simple reminders like go to bed early so you get enough sleep, eat nourishing food to keep your energy up or ask for help you need it because these are all things you might forget when you’ve got a ton on your plate.
Why Sleep is Important As a Mom
During times of trouble, the very basic foundations of self care can be the most important.
Make a Care Package
Another way to boost your chances of keeping self care at the focus during hard times is to prepare a care package ahead of time.
This can include some of your favorite little indulgences like a good book, herbal teas, facial mask, fuzzy slippers and classical CD. Include anything that brings you joy.
Being able to reach for this package when you’re stressed can mean the world and make a huge difference to your outlook.
Involve Your Crew
When things look bleak, you may require a bit of help to get back on track. That’s why it’s a good idea to reach out to trusted friends and family now to enlist their help for the future.
Talk to your closest confidantes and let them know you would like them to always encourage your self care routine. Share with them the benefits it’s provided you and tell them you’d appreciate their assistance if they see you aren’t caring for yourself as well as you should be.
Sometimes those who know us best can see things we don’t. When your crew knows to look out for you in this regard, they can reinforce your self-care needs during times of stress.
Taking steps to plan now can make maintaining your self-care routine easier in the future. Always remember it’s during the hardest times that you need to nurturing yourself the most.
Self-Care Planner Printable
Self Care Doesn’t Have To Cost Anything
Lots of people get the wrong idea about self-care. They think they have to be deserving of it. They feel like it’s splurging to do something good for yourself. It can seem extravagant.
I’d like to change that mindset today. Self-care is something you deserve. Everyone does. It benefits us all, along with those around us, when we put our own well-being at the forefront.
You can’t take care of others when your own well being is suffering. Let’s take a look at some free and low-cost ways you can care for yourself.
Take a Time Out
Sometimes just a little bit of alone time is all you need to feel rejuvenated. So why not give yourself a time out?
Lock yourself in your room with a nice cup of tea. Listen to some quiet music. Just sit still and think for a bit. It’s a luxury we all can afford.
This is one of my favorite ways to de-stress and unwind when I need alone time. I usually give my husband or kids a heads up to give mom some time in her room.
I need a few moments of calm, peace, and no distractions!
Waste Some Time
We often feel pressured to be productive all the time. Being busy these days is a “sign of worth and accomplishment.” However, it really doesn’t have to be that way.
Just kicking back and doing nothing is important to recharging our batteries. Let yourself have some down time to do something frivolous like binge on your favorite Netflix show, take a nap or just sit and pet your cat.
You deserve it.
Do Some Writing
Even if you don’t consider yourself a writer, journaling can be a very therapeutic activity. Jotting down what you’re grateful for has been proven to be beneficial to well-being.
It can also be energizing to simply do a brain dump in which you write down all the things that are floating around in your head. Jotting down dreams for the future might inspire and motivate you to take action.
I recently started keeping a small notebook next to me to jot down all of the ideas that pop in my mind throughout the day. Things like: things to get done, top priorities, things the kids need, menu planning ideas, etc. It has helped me to collect my thoughts easier and I’m less likely to forget them when they are written down.
Give it a try.
Reach Out to Someone
Socializing is a crucial part of self care. Even introverts benefit from interpersonal connection. Humans aren’t meant to be isolated.
Pick up the phone and call a friend you haven’t talked to in a while. Sit down and Skype with your favorite internet pal. Meeting up in person for a walk together or a cup of coffee is even better.
Connecting to others might just provide the spark you’ve been missing.
Change Your Perspective
A change of scenery can be a wonderful source of renewal, and it doesn’t have to cost a lot. Just heading out to walk in your neighborhood might help when you’re feeling stir crazy in your home.
If you’re able to afford it, a low-cost staycation to a nearby location for a day or two is a fun way to switch things up. You’ll be surprised what this change of perspective can do for you.
While these are just a few of the countless ways you can indulge in self care without spending much money, perhaps they’re just the jumpstart you need to begin exploring this concept.
You truly do deserve to spend time, energy and effort on your own well-being.
Don’t Feel Guilty For Practicing Self Care
I’d like to take this opportunity to emphasize why you shouldn’t feel guilty for practicing self-care and encourage you to do so in every area of your life.
It’s Not Selfish
Taking time to care for yourself is not selfish in any way. It may be hard to get past the mindset that the needs of others are more important than your own, but overcoming this mindset is essential to allowing yourself to adequately meet your own needs. When you care for yourself, it doesn’t have to mean you don’t care about others.
It’s Necessary
Self care isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity. It really is like the airplane air mask comparison. You have to ensure you can breathe before you can help those around you.
If you’re tired, rundown and overwhelmed all the time, you absolutely cannot give your best self to others. You also can’t offer yourself the very best. Remember that self-care isn’t selfish.
It Sets a Good Example
If you’re a parent, investing in self care is not only good for you, it sets a good example for your kids. Taking the time to care for yourself might be inspiring or motivational for those around you.
It Demands Respect
When you demonstrate that you value yourself and that you find worth investing time in yourself, they will respond in kind.
Learning to say no and set boundaries is good for your relationships. It teaches others how you expect to be treated and makes it clear that you see yourself as a priority. There’s no reason to feel guilty for that.
With practice, you can come to see the benefits of self-care and that it doesn’t have to be something that causes guilt.
Tips To Continue To Take Care Of Yourself Going Forward
Self care is a process. It requires practice and dedication if you want to make it stick.
Don’t get discouraged if it takes time to make this new concept a part of your life. It’ll get easier, and you’ll probably find yourself craving your self care activities so much you’ll wonder how you ever lived without them.
However, there will inevitably be times that are busier or more stressful when self-care may go by the wayside. If you find that happening, be sure to follow these tips to continue to take care of yourself going forward.
Follow Your Gut
Sometimes we get so busy that we find ourselves living on auto-pilot. That’s only natural during hectic times, but it’s critical that you make an attempt to listen to your instincts during these times to know whether you’re in need of a boost.
When you start to feel especially frazzled or fatigued, that’s not a cue to double down and work harder. It’s your body and mind telling you that you need a break. Listen to them.
Along these lines, look for other unusual signs that things are off balance with you such as irritability, eating poorly, losing sleep or indulging in bad habits. These things are telling you to take care of yourself.
Schedule It In
A trick that helps some people to fit self care into their schedules when life gets busy is to actually write it in their date book or calendar.
Treat your self care commitments like any other appointment or event. Write down the time you’ll start and finish. Try to be specific about the activity you’ll engage in.
Doing these things will increase the odds that you’ll actually follow through. It’s easy to put yourself on the backburner when life gets crazy, but don’t forget that these are the times you need self-care the most.
Create a Plan
Developing a self care plan is crucial to maintaining your well-being.
Keep your emergency self-care list and your care package together so they’re easily accessed when you need them.
Make sure there’s a list of trusted contacts to call when you might need some self-care encouragement and accountability. Your tribe can provide the motivation and support you need to take care of yourself.
Last thought: Take time to assess your self care needs regularly.
This will also help to keep you on track. Ask yourself once a week or so if you’re giving yourself enough time and attention. Listen to your instincts. Make adjustments as necessary.
Self care is an ongoing and evolving process. It requires your constant attention.
Self Care Checklist: Print now!
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