Prioritizing You: Simple Self-Care for Busy Moms

Ever feel like there’s just not enough time for yourself? Between feeding the kids, reading endless school emails, and squeezing in a quick shower, self-care often feels like a distant dream. But here’s the thing – you don’t need a weekend spa retreat to recharge your batteries. We think the simplest acts of self-care can be the most impactful if they’re done consistently. In this post, we’re diving into realistic, attainable self-care tips for busy moms, because caring for yourself is just as important as caring for everyone else. And yes, this is your reminder to take a breath.

1. Redefine Self-Care – It’s Not All Bubble Baths and Facials

While indulgent moments can be great, self-care can be as simple as setting healthy boundaries or saying “no” without guilt. Sometimes, self-care is about choosing sleep over household tasks or taking five minutes of silence in the car before heading into a chaotic home.

• Micro self-care: When you don’t have hours to give, look for micro-moments of self-care. Listen to your favorite podcast while you’re cooking dinner, or step outside for fresh air while the kids nap. These small, intentional pauses can do wonders for your mental health.
• Saying “no”: Many of us are conditioned to say yes to everything—after-hours work meetings, family get-togethers, birthday parties. Learning to say no (without guilt!) is a crucial act of self-care. It’s okay to guard your time and energy. It’s also important to say no to people who no longer serve you. If you’re finding that a friend is depleting you, rather than adding to you, it’s time to say no. Not all friends are for life, and that is ok!

2. Prioritize Sleep Like It’s Your Job

Sure, this sounds laughable for a mom running on fumes. But the truth is, quality sleep is the cornerstone of good self-care. You’ve heard it before: sleep is essential. But in mom life, it’s hard to come by. So, how do you get more rest when your kid’s idea of bedtime always keeps you guessing?

• Set a bedtime routine – for you: Just like you create a nighttime ritual for your kids, create one for yourself. Maybe it’s a 10-minute meditation, reading a few pages on your kindle, or whipping up a glass of Natural Calm Magnesium. The goal is to send signals to your brain that it’s time to wind down.
• Embrace naps: Don’t underestimate the power of a quick nap. While naps may have felt indulgent before motherhood, they are a necessity now. Fifteen minutes of shut-eye can be enough to reset your system.

3. Move Your Body – Without the Pressure to “Bounce Back”

We live in a society that pressures women to “bounce back” after childbirth, but let’s ditch that narrative. Movement should be about feeling good and gaining strength, not reaching some unrealistic postpartum goal. You are a mom now, you have transformed. There is no turning back, therefore you shouldn’t “bounce back” to anything. Life is lived forward.

• Make it joyful: Find an activity that genuinely brings you joy. I tell my kids that I’m exercising to stay healthy and to keep up with them when we play. Once I surrendered to believing that, I stopped caring about the scale and did it truly for health and longevity.
• Involve the kids: When you’re too strapped for time to exercise solo, get the kids involved. Go for a family walk, push the stroller while jogging, or try a fun mommy-and-me workout video. This turns exercise into bonding time. Funny, real story, I scoot my oldest to school in the mornings. Not an electric scooter, either. A hard-to-push scooter. He loves it and I get a workout, win-win!

4. Don’t Forget Your Mind – Mental Health Matters

As moms, we spend so much time worrying about everyone else’s mental well-being that we often neglect our own. Taking time for your mental health is essential, whether that means seeing a therapist, practicing mindfulness, or simply giving yourself grace on tough days.

• Meditation and mindfulness: You don’t need hours of uninterrupted time to practice mindfulness. A simple, guided meditation (even for five minutes) can help center you and manage stress. Apps like Headspace or Calm are great tools for this.
• Affirmations: If you’re feeling overwhelmed, try using daily affirmations to reset your mindset. Phrases like, “I am enough,” or “I’m doing my best and that’s all that matters,” can offer reassurance on difficult days.

5. Carve Out Time for Hobbies – Remember What Makes You, You

It’s easy to lose yourself in motherhood, but nurturing your personal identity is critical to feeling fulfilled. Whether it’s crafting, gardening, reading, or binge-watching your favorite Netflix show, make time for what lights you up outside of being “mom.”

• Schedule “me time”: Set aside even 10 minutes a day for your favorite hobby. Treat it like a non-negotiable appointment with yourself.
• Start small: You don’t need hours of free time to enjoy a hobby. Even small bursts of time spent on something you love can refresh and inspire you.

Conclusion:

Self-care doesn’t need to be elaborate or time-consuming to be effective. As a busy mom, prioritizing simple, intentional acts of self-care can help you recharge, improve your mental and physical health, and ultimately make you a better parent. Remember: taking care of yourself is not selfish, it’s essential. You can’t pour from an empty cup, so fill yours up – one small, manageable act of self-care at a time.