10 self-care ideas for busy moms that are doable
Being a mom is daunting, you have to take care of endless things and be available 24X7. This makes self care your last priority, but don’t you think you will be a better mother when you care for yourself? And yes, I get you when you think where is the time? Hence, in this post I am sharing with you 10 do-able self-care ideas for busy moms. Even if you are a working mom like me with little time at hand, I am sure you will be able to follow these self-care ideas as a busy working mom.
Self-care needs to be prioritized, if we wish to have time to spend on selfcare we may never find it but once you prioritize self-care you will make time for it. As a working mom of a newborn I would think of self care as a luxury and not a necessity but you reach a point of exhaustion and burn out when you feel enough of this I need to fix it. And that is when I realized self care is more of an intention than time. Even 10 minutes a day for selfcare can help you feel happy, productive and energized. I find myself more calm and energetic on days I spend a few minutes for self care.
Let’s have a look at some simple and doable self-care ideas for busy moms.
10 easy to follow self-care ideas for working moms
Here are 10 do-able self-care ideas for busy moms that are simple to follow on a daily basis even if you are a working mom.
1: Exercise daily
Taking care of your body is an essential part of self care. Including exercise in your daily routine not only helps you be in good shape but also maintain you healthy. Apart from this there are many studies that have found exercise improves your mood, boosts your energy and as moms we really need this to raise happy kids.
You need not spend a lot of time on this. Just 10-20 minutes of daily exercise will bring positive effects to your physical and mental health.
Exercising need not be complicated, simple things like stretching, walking, jogging and yoga are sufficient to start.
2: Listen to music
When you are running short on time and looking for some quick ways to add selfcare you should try listening to music. You can choose to do it while doing a mundane task or grab a few minutes while your kids take a nap. Music is found to lower anxiety, improve your mood and decrease fatigue. So listening to music is a good way to add self care to your life. You can choose from a wide genre as per your taste and mood. I particularly like to listen to jazz, to relax and unwind myself.
3: Have quiet time
One of the best forms of self care you can have as a mom is some silent time. Sitting quietly without doing anything is sometimes the most enjoyable thing. A quiet time of even 10 minutes can help you feel calm and relaxed. Just sit in silence by the window without doing anything, no phone, no thinking of things to do. Just sit and look at the surroundings, breathe deep and calm yourself. I particularly like to do things at the end of the work day and when working from home during my kid’s nap time to just reset myself and clear all the overwhelm in my head.
4: Meditate
As busy moms, it is essential to take care of our mental health. With many things running through our heads, and endless chores we get overwhelmed. If you are a mom of an infant you probably get sleepless nights, even if you are a mom of a toddler you still get up early before everyone to get things done, either way as moms we are deprived of sleep and feel exhausted. Meditation is a good form of self-care to deal with this. Of course, sleep cannot be compensated by anything but meditation is a good way to beat the side effects.
Meditation helps me feel calm and clear the fog in my head. Only a few minutes of meditation make one feel rejuvenated and refreshed. There are studies that have found meditation to be helpful to reduce stress, control anxiety, and have better mental health. You can do a basic meditation by just sitting in a comfortable pose and doing deep breathing. Or can even try a guided meditation. You should give a try to headscape, it is amazing for guided meditation.
5: Create cozy ambiance
Have you felt a feeling of comfort and relaxation just by sitting in a particular space or you have a favorite corner in your house where you just enjoy sitting? The easiest way to extend self-care is to sit in these favorite spots, the feeling that the pace evokes in you can make you feel better. Having a warm cozy environment is termed Hygge, studies have found hygge to be beneficial to your overall wellness. You can try to create a cozy ambiance or hygge for you by adding a conforming blanket and pillows, lighting a few scented candles, and enjoying a warm beverage or cuddling your kids while reading a story. It instantly makes you feel so good, the ambiance makes everything around seem so calm, and can also be a good way to spend quality time with your loved ones.
6: Take longer bath
As basic as it may sound but sometimes as a mother, I find it difficult to have a good shower. My kid will wait at the bathroom door calling me till the time I get out of the bath. So, on weekends when my husband is available, I take a long bath and that makes me feel so good. Although the bath itself is relaxing, getting some uninterrupted time and spending it for yourself makes it even more enjoyable. Make it more soothing by using fragrant essential oils and lighting some scented candles.
7: Have a simple skincare routine
Including simple skin care in your daily routine can be a good way to indulge in skin care. Not only does it make you look good and keep your skin healthy, but also because when you spend time on skin care it makes you feel good. It is found that pampering your skin improves your mood. Just simple things like cleansing, scrubbing, and moisturizing the face can bring a positive effect on yourself. Put on a face mask and play your favorite music to feel great. Even if you are staying home, put on some light makeup. It helps to feel good. When I was working from home, I would feel more productive on the day I skip pajamas and get ready for the day.
P.S. You may like to read 21 Tips for work-life balance while working from home
8: Take a day off
Taking a day off can be one of the best forms of self-care. As busy moms, it can be quite overwhelming to be always available to kids every time and all that they want is you. So, try to find a day wherein either your husband, parents or any other caregiver can take care of kids and you take a day off. This will give you a break from the daily grind. Taking a day off and being out of the house can recharge and let you be a better mother. It can be refreshing and help you unwind.
Try to plan your day off so that you don’t miss this opportunity by just lounging around. Plan a day with your friends, or things that you enjoy such as a movie, eating at your favorite place, going for a walk in nature or sign up for some hobby workshop. Trust me a day off can be rejuvenating.
9: Get healthy snacks
As busy moms we are always chasing tasks and this drains the energy. We make best efforts to make healthy meals available for our kids and family but forget ourselves. I would find myself very vulnerable and irritated when I am low on energy and have an empty stomach. I would make meals but would rush to work without eating or would drain myself by over doing the tasks for the day. A simple act to keep healthy snacks handy is a game changer. You can munch something while working or in between the meals grab something to refuel yourself. Taking care of your nutrition is very essential for selfcare. A healthy snack is not just providing nutrition to your body but also fueling your mind and letting you stay productive and in a better mood throughout the day. Cut fruits or dry fruits are easy healthy snack options, I prefer to keep some dates handy with me.
10: Treat yourself
Selfcare is not just about nutrition and resting but nourishing your soul, bringing positivity, happiness to your life. Take small occasions to treat yourself. When you survive a difficult week or sleep regression, treat yourself to your favorite ice cream. We feel happy when we reward ourselves. It also motivates you to do better. Treating yourself doesn’t have to be expensive, it can be as simple as watching your favorite movie, drinking your favorite tea/coffee or going for spa to relax or get yourself a new dress.
Conclusion
So, these were 10 simple self care ideas for busy moms that are completely do-able. Try to include them either in your morning routine or evening routine after work so that they become part of your daily life. You will never have enough time for self care but you will need to prioritize yourself and make time for yourself to avoid burnout. Only a happy mom can raise happy kids, taking care of yourself does not need a lot of time just few minutes that you can grab throughout the day.
Let me know in the comments your favorite self care activity.
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