Most self-care and relaxation articles are filled with why it’s important to take bubble baths and go to the spa. And while a warm bath can be a great way to relax, let’s face it, most moms don’t have that kind of time for themselves. Not to mention, a day at the spa can cost a week’s worth of pay. All that aside, there are plenty of ways to do self-care in everyday moments. It’s not necessarily about getting time away by yourself, sometimes it’s about how to make your daily reality less stressful.
Ask For Help
Want to preserve your sanity? You’re going to need to ask for help. It’s not a moral failure on your part if you struggle to keep up with all those chores and raise your tiny humans to be decent adults. Getting help is part of the process of parenting. Whether it’s letting your spouse/partner know you need help, reaching out to family or friends, or hiring a mother’s helper. Parenting is hard work, and especially in those early years, you need a support system around you to help with the day-to-day tasks.
Simplify Your Life
One of the hardest things for moms to do is to say no. They want to be part of the PTO, the local church, and cart their children out to countless activities. While none of these are bad per se, they do reflect a mindset that you can’t say no to something if you’re tapped out. Simplifying your life is one of the greatest acts of self-care you can do. To preserve your time, energy, and focus for the things that matter the most means that you understand something about yourself and your priorities. Maybe it’s time to Marie Kondo your life and to stop doing some of the things that aren’t bringing you joy or enhancing your life.
Explore Your Own Hobbies
If you simplify your life, you might be left with some time to explore some hobbies of your own. Maybe you want to take a dance class. Perhaps you’d love to learn to cook authentic Thai cuisine, or maybe you love to garden or go hiking. There are plenty of hobbies out there and some of them can even include some time with your kids. Self-care doesn’t have to be alone time, it can simply be prioritizing something you enjoy instead of always doing something that someone else wants to do.
Schedule Time For Yourself
There is a time to schedule some alone time, especially if you’re an introvert. Being somewhere you are always needed can be taxing and that’s the reality of life as a mom. It may be once a month, once a week, or 30 minutes a day, but it’s important to squeeze in a little time for yourself. Go read a book, lay down for some rest, or put on a favorite show. This little break can be more than enough to help you destress and relax more regularly.
Create a Nightly Relaxation Routine
One way to do this is to create a nightly relaxation routine for yourself. Pamper yourself with lotions, creams, and even something like a CBD balm. You’d be amazed at how these natural products can help you relax your mind and your body after a long, hard day. Some people take a hot shower to relax, others sit out on their porch and watch the stars while they sip on a cup of tea.
Prioritize Your Sleep
You spend so much time getting the kids to sleep well, but what do you do to improve your own sleep? Get off the technology an hour before bed, make sure your room is nice and dark, and keep the temperature a little lower. The darkness and cooler temps help to promote better sleep and improve the natural production of melatonin in the body.
Eat Well and Exercise
Want to really destress, relax, and take care of yourself? Stop eating like a toddler. Eat nutrient-rich foods, delicious proteins, healthy fats, less processed sugar, and more fruits and vegetables. Add in a daily walk and maybe some bodyweight exercises and you’ll find yourself feeling great in your body, you’ll have more energy, and you’ll be less stressed naturally.
Parenting is a full-time job and there’s no way around that. However, by taking some time for yourself, you can be a better mom and a happier person. When you take care of yourself, you’re modeling healthy behavior for your children and setting the tone for your family. So go ahead and try some of our self care tips for moms and schedule that me-time, your family will thank you for it in the long run!