As a supermom, having little to no time to yourself while focusing entirely on your kid(s) can be overwhelming. We know all too well how difficult it is to adjust to this whole new way of life. From sleepless nights to feeding and changing, your needs might be at the bottom of your to-do list.
It’s time to adopt a few self-care methods to add to your daily life to help you stay grounded.
Everyone's definition of self-care is different. But there’s one thing we can all agree on: self-care is about mental, physical, and emotional nutrition. Self-care is the deliberate act of taking measures to maintain or improve one's mental or physical health.
Even the smallest acts such as taking a long bath or writing in a journal will help you exercise your self-care routine. There is absolutely nothing wrong with taking a few minutes out of your day to embrace yourself and your well-being.
Neglecting self-care can lead to physical and mental exhaustion such as a weaker immune system, depression to high blood pressure. The last thing you want is to be an irritable mama for your child!
Pick what works for you, we’ve gathered 21 self-care ideas that will help you unwind and take a breather, and feel calm in under an hour!
It may sound simple, but a morning cup of tea can encourage mindfulness and set your intentions for the day ahead before the kids wake up. Grab your favorite mug or teacup that feels just right while drinking out of, pick your flavor of tea and begin boiling your water. This is the time to reflect and create a mindful space. After you’ve poured your water and your tea begins to brew, take these 5 minutes to clear your cluttered thoughts. Take a sip and deeply inhale this rejuvenating moment.
- Disconnect into Nature
Our minds are constantly overstimulated at home. One of the best ways to reset your mind and body is to immerse yourself in nature. Give yourself the space to decompress and connect with mother earth. It’s amazing how much nature affects your mood and mental health, just spending 30 minutes a day in nature can help reduce stress and anxiety by lowering your heart rate and blood pressure. Step out to a park or enjoy the healing act of gardening to help you relax and improve mental clarity.
- Get your Body Moving
If you don’t have time to head to the gym, exercising at home is as easy as turning on a home workout video. Moving your body and getting your heart rate up for just 20 minutes a day can help reduce stress and boost your energy levels. You know the drill ladies!
- Journaling
One of the most important acts of self-care is to enjoy a peaceful mind. Examining your feeling by writing in a journal will leave you feeling grounded and help balance your emotions. Take a blank sheet of paper and just brain dump all of your thoughts for the day until there’s nothing left on your mind. You can write a gratitude list, a letter to your future self, or write down everything you’re feeling in the moment. You’ll feel a sense of mental clarity after you’ve written your journal of the day.
- Read a Chapter
Did you know just reading for 6 minutes every day will ease muscle tensions and reduce your heart rate? Reading has an amazing way to calm our nerves when we feel overwhelmed and stressed. Once you’ve gotten cozy with a book you love, it’ll help you relax and even get you to fall asleep quicker.
- Warm Bubble Bath
In just 10 minutes you can decrease muscle tension, stress, and fatigue with a bubble bath. As a busy mom, you should treat yourself to a bubble bath at least once a week as a reward for all your hard work for your family. The soothing atmosphere of a warm bath can be a great mood booster and release any stress. Light up a candle and apply a face mask to completely submerge yourself into relaxation.
- Practice Meditation
Meditation is a fool-proof method to help reduce anxiety, depression, insomnia, stress, and exhaustion. With both physical and mental benefits, meditation is a 10-minute self-care method that can transform your inner well-being. Not sure how to start? Get yourself into an empty, quiet room. Sit in a comfortable upright position, close your eyes and breathe in and out. Simply focus on your breathing and let go of a calmer mind.
- Explore Affirmations
The quickest way to practice self-care is by repeating positive affirmations throughout the day. While you’re making breakfast or cleaning up after the kids, you can repeat these affirmations such as, “I am a powerful woman,” or “Today I embrace all that I am." These positive thoughts will stimulate and inspire you through a rough day, and help you to overcome any negative self-talk.
- Get Creative
Immerse yourself in a hobby that will unleash your creative juices. Grounding yourself in a hands-on activity is one of the essential methods of practicing self-care. We all have a spark of creativity in us, a fun hobby such as drawing, painting, playing an instrument or even doodling will all help you ease any stressors and relax your mind and body.
- Practice Yoga Poses
Get some quality me-time with a few yoga poses for self-care. If you're physically drained, emotionally and mentally exhausted like all moms, just taking out a few minutes for practicing yoga may be just what you need to restore balance and connection to your life. Yoga has an amazing way of healing your body and mind.
- Watch the Sunrise/Sunset
Embrace nature and forget all of your worries just by watching the sky. Step outside and soak in a beautiful sunrise or sunset and just pause for a moment. The best act of self-care is to disconnect with everything around that overwhelms you. Enjoy the moment of peace and tranquility and recharge your mind for the day.
- Hop to a Spa
There’s nothing better than visiting a spa for a relaxing massage. if you’re an over-exhausted mama, getting a massage once in a while will drastically improve muscle tension, reduce anxiety, and even help you get a restful night’s sleep.
- Rediscover Your Wardrobe
Remember those pair of jeans that made you feel good? We all have a favorite piece of clothing that might’ve gotten lost while stepping into motherhood. Take a few moments out of your day to shuffle through your closet. Any item of clothing that you haven’t worn in years should be donated to make space for a shopping spree! At the end of the day, a happy closet will help you feel good about yourself.
- Declutter
Living in a messy space will adversely impact your kids in the long run. If you’re struggling to find stuff around the house, chances are you need to declutter the mess and clear your thoughts. Having an organized space will give you a sense of clarity and prevent any unnecessary anxiety. Being organized is a terrific approach to constantly make yourself feel good.
- Paint your Nails
Whether you want to head to a nail salon or do your nails at home, the simple act of taking care of your nails will help you maintain a sense of balance and clarity. A manicure ritual of just filing and painting your nails will soothe your busy mind and free you from all worries during the day.
- Sleep Early
Sleep deprivation is common with moms. Not getting a restful night’s sleep can be extremely detrimental to your health and well-being. If you can put the kids to bed early, unwind yourself and get yourself into bed. Turn off the TV and your phone that will keep you up longer. Getting quality sleep might help you manage anxiety, allowing us to be in a better mood when we wake up.
- Visit your Favorite Spot
Whether it’s a café or a museum, we all have a spot that we love to get away to. Indulge in your favorite cup of cappuccino or an art piece to recharge your emotions. There’s something about revisiting your favorite spot to help you feel more grounded.
- Catch Up With Old Friends
It can feel lonely in this beautiful motherhood journey. Keeping your friends close is an important part of sustaining your mental health and personal connections. As a busy mom, spend quality time nurturing your relationships over lunch or dinner. Enjoy a laugh over a memory, after all our friendships will help us be a better mom.
- Practice Gratitude
More than just an act of self-care for the soul, gratitude is a way of taking control of our thoughts and leading us to feel more positive about ourselves. We may get lost in being a full-time mom, taking a few minutes out to remind yourself of everything you’re grateful for will completely change your inner thoughts. Write down everything you’re grateful for be it your kids, your home, or health- just pause and be present in all of your blessings.
- Just Dance
Have a rough day with the kids? Put on your favorite music and dance! By letting go of your worries into a song and movement, you can exhilarate your mind and body. Dancing has a positive impact on mental and emotional well-being, it releases endorphins (the body's happy hormones) resulting in enhanced confidence and a lower risk of anxiety or depression.
- Watch Your Favorite Movie
Have a self-care night with your favorite comfort movie and snacks. Indulging in a feel-good movie after a busy day can help you recharge into a better mood and encourage you to feel better. Enjoy a relaxing experience on the couch under a warm blanket to set the tone for the evening and unwind for a calm self-care night to yourself.
We do it all for our kids, but these tiny acts of self-care will go a long way to help you find balance. Having a flexible self-care routine that can easily be added to your everyday life should help you feel better in both body and mind.
