By RMHP
Making time for self-care probably falls near the bottom of a busy mom's list of priorities. But, if you don’t take care of yourself, it becomes even more difficult to care for your children. Exhaustion, burnout, stress and sickness can all creep into your life when you aren’t nourishing your own mental and physical health.
Self-care doesn’t have to be time consuming, either. Whether you have a few minutes, an hour, or longer, there’s a self-care tip that you can use today. These 8 tips are some of our favorites, and we think you’ll love them, too.
If something isn’t scheduled, it doesn’t feel like a real obligation. When scheduling self-care, be realistic about what’s going on in your life. For example, some moms like to carve out a few moments of self-care time during the workday, because evenings at home with the kids can be unpredictable.
Do you know another busy mom who could use some self-care of her own? The buddy system isn’t just for the gym, and teaming up with someone else is a great way to hold yourself accountable.
You can schedule activities together or do your own thing, but agree to check-in regularly, or whatever else suits your lifestyle best.
Practicing gratitude, whether you start a gratitude journal, make a list of everything you’re thankful for, or express thanks to someone, is a wonderful self-care activity. It also sets a great example for your kids.
When there’s absolutely no time for self-care, you need to get creative and squeeze in time for yourself whenever possible. The next time you’re idling at a stoplight or stop sign, try taking a few deep breaths. You’ll instantly feel more relaxed.
Did you know that a quick, 15-minute walk can have a positive impact on your health and well-being? Walks are a rejuvenating self-care activity that help lower blood pressure, improve cognitive performance, and more.
Melissa Wolak, a mindset coach, shared this fantastic tip with Working Mother: “With clients, I have them determine what brings them energy and what drains them. We create a 'Brain Budget' so they are more aware of withdrawals and deposits.”
Here’s another helpful tip shared with Working Mother, this time from Nicole Harkin, a small business owner and mother of two children:
“To stave off the sense that time is going by too quickly, I started using a daily, one-sentence 5-year journal… Every evening, just before I go to bed, I write one sentence about the day in this journal.”
One-sentence journaling is quick, easy, and helps you remember some of the most precious moments shared with your children. You can also combine this tip with gratitude journaling.
Waking up early might sound like torture instead of self-care, but the quiet hours of early morning could be the only chance you have for uninterrupted self-care time. Use the time to slowly sip coffee or tea, medidate, take a walk, or anything else that replenishes your “brain budget.”