Looking for the best self-care ideas for moms? Here is an extensive list that you can use to get started today.
Your self-care does not have to be put on the back burner when you become a mom. In fact, it is ever more important that you prioritize your self-care because you are a mom.
Until I became a mother, I never fully understood the true meaning of selflessness. Moms are selfless. We just do what is needed at the moment for our loved ones, often without hesitation.
Between the kids, the partner, the home, and work, it is no wonder self-care gets put on the back burner. The constant juggling of everyone else’s needs can lead to a depleted well where we are running on empty.
It is so important for moms to prioritize their self-care and make it a part of their daily self-love routine.
What is Self-Care
Self-care is the simple act of prioritizing your needs so you can be healthy, balanced, and well. In turn, the more you are in sync with health, balance, and wellness, the better you can care for others, do your job, and be happy.
However, self care has been misconstrued in our society where some think it needs to be a grand gesture or activity. In reality, self care can be as simple as taking a 10 minute nap or remembering to drink your full 8 cups of water each day.
Self care can happen every day and it should!
There are so many opportunities throughout a day for stress to overwhelm you. Social media and Zoom life have made it where we are always available, even when we are not.
It can be challenging to shut it all down without shutting yourself down. How do you close yourself off when you need to be open?
Self-care helps you balance and cope with life’s daily stressors.
Self-care is “the ability of individuals, families, and communities to promote health, prevent disease, maintain health, and to cope with illness and disability with or without the support of a healthcare provider”.
The World health organization
What are the Benefits of Self-Care
Self-care is one of the best ways to find balance in our everyday life. Once you start a self-care practice the benefits compound leading to overall better health.
In this section, I’m going to share six benefits of self care that you may notice. Firstly, it is important to remember that self care is a journey. Therefore, the only way to begin is to do!
Secondly, I want to encourage you to look at this journey as a practice. For instance, the more we practice something, the more it becomes second nature.
Thirdly, enjoy the process! Moreover, learn to recognize the little wins and the little joys in everyday life that fill you up.
Finally, let’s get started. Learn what the benefits are so that you can recognize them when they begin to manifest.
Reduce stress and anxiety
When we are balanced, we are more resilient and better able to deal with difficult times or daily stressors.
Provide emotional balance
Through self care, you learn to honor and take care of your emotional state through self-awareness.
Better physical health
As you become more aware of what your body needs you will nourish it through healthy foods and exercise.
Improve mental health
Self care can improve your mood and energy and also lower your stress and anxiety benefiting your overall mental health.
Greater self-esteem
Learning to treat yourself with kindness increases your sense of self-esteem and worthiness.
Improve relationships
Prioritizing your needs and wants will lead you to authentically show up in your relationships.
What are the 8 Dimensions of Self-Care
The 8 dimensions of self care are the 8 dimensions of wellness. When attention is given to each of the following dimensions, your foundation has the potential to be well balanced.
Physical self-care
Taking care of your physical body through physical activity and nutrition.
Intellectual self-care
Fuel your curiosity and challenge yourself to learn new skills.
Emotional self-care
Honor yourself, your feelings and show up authentically in your relationships with others.
Social self-care
Sustain healthy relationships and rely on them when needed.
Spiritual self-care
Maintain meaning and purpose in your life through your values and beliefs.
Vocational self-care
Find ways to balance your professional life so that your work aligns with your values, beliefs, goals, and provides a sense of satisfaction. Lean into knowing that you add value to the work you are doing.
Financial self-care
Learn new skills to manage your resources and make informed financial decisions.
Environmental self-care
Your life and lifestyle are an extension of your social, natural and built environment and surroundings.
When attention is given to these 8 areas of life you can center yourself in a holistic, balanced way of living. In your self care practice, look for ways to focus on these specific areas.
Practicing self care and making it a part of your daily routine is vital to your mental health, physical health and overall wellbeing.
RELATED: Guide to the Wellness of Motherhood
100 Self-Care Ideas for Moms
What does self-care look like for a mom? Here are a list of things that you can do TODAY and every day to incorporate self care into your daily life. With a little bit of spare time and intention, these are simple things that you can do on a regular basis.
- Start each day with 10 deep breaths
- Make a point to get fresh air everyday
- Listen to your favorite music
- Write a poem or short story
- Take a bubble bath. Mama needs bath time too.
- Take a nap. Mama needs nap time too.
- Learn a new hobby. Developing new skills and trying new things keeps your mind active, challenged and engaged
- Write down things you like about yourself
- Develop a morning routine
- Develop a night routine
- Enjoy your morning cup of coffee, and drink it while it is still hot
Use self-care quotes to prompt reflections and growth,
- Treat yourself to a manicure & pedicure
- Schedule a lunch with a close friend
- Once a week choose a new recipe to make
- Practice positive self affirmations
- Plan a dinner with a good friend
- Plan a fun date night
- Watch your favorite tv show. There are so many shows right now but there is nothing like fully escaping into the world of your favorite shows and characters.
- Have a dance party. Even if it is by yourself. Put on your favorite song, turn that music up, and dance.
- Read a good book
- Reread your favorite book
More Self-Care Ideas for Moms
- Start a challenging puzzle
- Call your best friend. In the age of text, there is nothing like a good ol’ phone call. The familiar voice and laugh will fill you up.
- Call a family member you haven’t spoken to in awhile
- Drink plenty of water. Our bodies are made up of over 60% water. Water is the catalyst for proper blood flow. It moves nutrients throughout our body, aids in proper function of vital organs and helps regulate internal temperature. Plus your skin will thank you.
RELATED: 8 Best Tips To Drink More Water]
- Reach out to your tribe and community when you need help
- Set boundaries – learning to say no makes room to say yes to what you really want
- Eat good food – Stock your pantry and shelves with foods that will provide your body with nutrients and energy
- Limit your screen time
- Plan a play date for YOU
- Treat yourself to going to bed a little early a few nights a week
- Set a no screen time at the end of the day to ensure your mind and body properly unwind before bed
- Diffuse essential oils to help guide your mood
- Take a hot shower and stay there for an extra five minutes
- Plan a girls trip. Even if just for one night, you will be rejuvenated.
- Get some exercise. The importance of regular exercise can not be understated. Don’t have time? Turn to YouTube for a quick workout.
Remember that Self Care is a Practice
- Get outside for a quick walk and take a different route than you normally would. You’re bound to discover something new.
- Declutter your space. A clean house will help your productivity.
- Listen to a podcast
- Be a tourist for a day in your local city or town – you are bound to discover something new
- Host a game night with friends or family
- Buy yourself some flowers. Because, why not! Treat yourself to this little gift that will brighten your day
- Purchase your favorite scent – smell is a powerful sense. Smell can transport you to a particular time and place. It can remind you of a certain person or experience and connect you to an emotional memory. It can invigorate you, giving you a pep in your step
- Plan alone time and enjoy it
- Volunteer – giving back is a great way center yourself
- Journal- check in with your self with a prompted self care journal
- Daily meditation – 10 minutes a day will help reduce anxiety, depression, stress, insomnia, fatigue
- Get outside to be in nature. Go for a hike or the beach. Connect with the earth.
- Have your drink of choice at the end of a long day. Whether that be wine, a cup of tea or whiskey, do you and enjoy it
Final 50 Self-Care Ideas for Moms
- Get a book of crossword puzzles that you can throw in your purse. Use it instead of browsing on your phone when you have that spare moment such as in a waiting room at a doctor’s office
- Do a digital declutter. Remove old, unused apps on your phone
- Declutter your social media- unfollow when necessary
- Take an inventory of your friendships. Are they serving you, supporting you, inspiring you? Declutter if necessary
- See a live comedy show
- Take a mental health day – get off the grid. No social media. Email only when necessary and let the voicemail do its thing
- Get crafty with a coloring book, water colors or drawing
- Create a basic self care kit (lotion, bath salts, nail polish, essential oils)
- Plan a mommy and me date with your kiddo
- Spend an afternoon gardening
- Take your vitamins
- Invest in a great planner
- Order take out and get a break from the kitchen
- Write a letter to your partner
- Begin a letter diary to your child
- Take a moment to write a letter to yourself
- Create a meal plan. This will not only save you time but money too!
- Do a Brain Dump which can lead to increasing your productivity and focus
RELATED: Increase Productivity When Feeling Overwhelmed
- Schedule your yearly medical check ups
- Bake something sweet or comforting. The ritual of baking can be relaxing and you get the bonus of eating the goodness or giving it away as a special gift for someone
- Get your hair done
- Have your partner treat you to a “sleep in morning” on the weekend. Bonus points if you return the favor for them!
- Do yoga before bed
- Do yoga when you wake up
- Get out of your comfort zone and be adventurous – go rock climbing or paddle boarding.
Self-Care is a Journey
- Spend an afternoon scheduling your bills for auto pay. It will relieve you of stress and lighten your monthly to do list.
- Do a monthly financial audit looking at all of your accounts and set a monthly budget
- Start a daily gratitude journal
- Go for a drive without a destination
- Watch a funny movie. Start a go to list of funny movies to watch when you need a pick me up
- Write a to do list. Organizing your mind can help ease tension and set expectations for what is to come.
- Start each month by setting monthly goals
- Have fun creating wish lists. These can be seasonal bucket lists of vacations or create your own dream house.
- Schedule a massage
- If you work from home set realistic working hours and don’t forget your breaks
- Make you bed
- Take a cooking class
- Have a good cry if that is what you need
- Treat yourself to nice pajamas and a cozy robe
- Plan a trip to somewhere you have never been before
- Spend an afternoon at a museum or art gallery
- Find a class to take online or at your local community college on a subject that excites you or a new language
- Print and frame some of your favorite photos from your phone’s camera roll
- Organize your closet
- Write a bucket list of things you would like to do in your lifetime
- Take a walk with the purpose of taking photos of nature
- Buy a cozy blanket to surround yourself with comfort
- Plan a DIY spa day at home. Steam your face and make your own face mask
- Create a vision board
- Light a candle. Ambiance can play such a great role in our mood and energy.
- Laugh out loud for 1 minute for no reason
Self-Care Tips for Busy Moms
Busy moms need to prioritize self-care throughout the day. It is easy to experience burnout from the stress and demands of others’ needs. Practicing self-care daily will get you back in balance.
- Don’t buy into mom guilt. There is no time for it. Nope, not going to happen here. You have your own needs too and in order for you to be the best mom you need to nourish yourself.
- If you get an itch of mom guilt, counter it by making sure that you take in the present moment when you are with your little one. Be present. Put down the phone or laptop. The emails can wait. Give your babe everything when you are with them. And then go fill up your well when you need to.
- Self care looks different for everyone so have a conversation with yourself and decide what it looks like for you. Some people are more extroverted and being around people is what fills their well. Where as another may be more introverted and highly values the benefits of alone time.
- Get your self-care in small doses throughout the day- You might not have a 30 minutes in one sitting a day to dedicate to self care but I bet you can find three 10 minutes throughout the day for a little self care.
- Self care doesn’t necessarily have to exclude your family. Look for ways to include the whole family or extended family if that is what you need. A family walk on the beach at sunset or a hike during the day can be what is needed for your self care.
Self Care Tips for a New Mom
If you are a mom of a newborn baby, congratulations! What a special and precious time you are in. From one mom to another, I understand the demands that are placed on you. Girl you are in it! There is nothing like having a new baby.
With so much of the focus on your baby’s needs, it is evermore important to take care of your emotional health at this time.
- Ask for help when needed. Leaning on your community is self care.
- Communicate your needs with your partner.
- Schedule time to just be alone, even for 5 minutes, where you can sit in silence and not worry about the laundry, a crying baby, the dishes, etc. Just be.
One of the best things you can do for your baby is to spend a little time on yourself. I wish I was given this advice.
Taking better care of myself would have allowed me to be my best self during some of the difficult time of newborn stage.
How to Make Time for Self Care as a Mom
When you have a busy schedule the first step to prioritizing your self-care is to write it down.
The important things in our lives get put on the calendar. Therefore, make your self care one of those important things.
Sharing your self-care journey with your partner is an important step that will make a huge difference. When you communicate this need you are creating space for support.
Make a check list of your favorite things to do and have it at the ready. When you find yourself with an extra 5-10 minutes turn to your list and choose one thing that can fill your time
Enjoy the Little Things
The little things become the good things. Enjoy this new you. A mom who prioritizes her needs and self-care. Remember, you are worth every bit of the self-love you give yourself.
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How do you self-care? Do you have some ideas to add to the list? Drop a whisper in the comments below, I’d love to know.
[…] RELATED: 100 Best Self Care Ideas […]