Practical Self-Care for Moms
- thrivinginmotherho
- Mar 15
- 6 min read
So many times, as a mom, I've felt overwhelmed, drained, and exhausted. We juggle morning routines like getting kids to school and a lot of us work outside of the home so we're barely getting ourselves ready and out the door. We have packed schedules, and endless to-do lists. In the middle of all the chaos, self-care can seem more like a distant wish than a reality. However, self-care is essential for maintaining balance and well-being, and here's a secret I've learned: It doesn't have to be hard or take a long time to be self-care!
In this post, we’ll explore practical self-care strategies that you can easily weave into your daily life to ensure you can prioritize your own needs without adding more stress.
Understanding Self-Care
Self-care includes a variety of activities that promote emotional, mental, and physical well-being. For moms, this may mean stealing a few quiet moments to enjoy a warm cup of tea, doing a short exercise routine, or simply taking a deep breath during a hectic day.
The heart of effective self-care lies in its realistic application.
This is something I have truly concentrated on for my self-care, both as a therapist and as a mother. With both of those roles, I need to make sure that I make my self-care a priority.
A self-care routine is about creating moments of peace and joy that can be seamlessly integrated into your hectic life. For example, dedicating just 10 minutes each morning to stretch or listen to a favorite podcast can set a positive tone for the day. Its also about making those 10 minutes count. We often only have that to work with!
This is not an easy thing to do, I know. I've worked a lot of things into my life weekly that took a long time to practice. I also know that in therapy sessions, that other moms have successfully added in short moments of self-care into their lives and felt so much better after prioritizing themselves, even just a little bit more.
The Importance of Practical Self-Care for Moms
We live in a culture that often glorifies multitasking and working ourselves to the bone, especially as moms. We are expected to work like we don't have kids and parent like we don't have jobs. The importance of self-care can fade into the background. Devoting time to yourself boosts your personal health and enhances our capacity to care for others.
You will start to feel more patient and resilient. When you take the time to do things for yourself to feel better, you will end up transferring that feeling to your kids. Which is what we want right?!
This is why adopting practical self-care should be viewed as an essential aspect of motherhood rather than an indulgent luxury. Ultimately its about what we do for our families that makes it more achievable for a lot of us. I promise, you and your family will thank you for making your own self-care a priority.
Quick and Realistic Self-Care Practices
1. Mindful Moments
Taking mindful moments throughout the day can drastically improve mental clarity and emotional stability. This practice doesn't need to involve lengthy meditation; it can be as simple as taking three deep breaths before responding to your child's question or spending a minute observing how the sunlight dances on the trees outside.
I remember when I was a teenager when we would go to the mountains as a family. My mom would enjoy looking at the flowers and smelling the smells. I thought she was being silly. But now that I'm a mom, (and I think about the age that she did this! Ha!) I love being up there just noticing all the little things that make the mountains beautiful. I love looking at the flowers, even these small little purple ones I see a lot. I watch the clouds float by, and listen to the creeks. It's magical up there when you take those mindful moments!
Mindfulness helps to ground us, making daily stressors far easier to manage. Various apps offer short guided sessions that can fit into tight schedules. The Calm app and Insight Timer are two of my favorites that make mindfulness accessible no matter how busy life gets.
2. Mini Breaks
Integrating mini breaks into your day can be transformative. Even just five minutes in the bathroom, a quick walk around the block, or a brief stretch at your desk can recharge your spirit. This is one that I try to do often since I work at a desk most of the day. I will do each one of these depending on my schedule throughout the week. It does help recharge so I can focus on the next task, not to mention it just feels good!
Set reminders on your phone or place visual cues around your workspace to cue these breaks. This simple practice can serve as a powerful reminder to reclaim a moment for yourself amid the whirlwind of motherhood. One caveat here if you set timers and reminders on your phone: Use them! I know a lot of us, myself included tend to just set it and forget it! It is important if you want to feel better to make these changes. Use the tools that we have at our fingertips to make it work!
3. Journaling
Journaling serves as a powerful tool for mental clarity and emotional expression. Carve out just a few minutes each day or week to jot down your thoughts and feelings. The act of writing allows you to process emotions and reflect on what truly matters.
You don't need to write a full page; bullet points or a few sentences are perfectly sufficient. The key is to be genuine in your self-expression, leading to a healthier emotional state. Free writing is enough! Don't worry about grammar or punctuation! Just write!
This is one thing I've done all my life. It has been one of the most soothing things I can do to take care of myself because I can get my thoughts out of my head and onto paper.
4. Physical Activity
Finding time for exercise can feel daunting, but even small increments of physical activity yield substantial benefits. Engage in enjoyable activities, like dancing with your kids in the living room or opting for the stairs instead of the elevator.
A quick five-minute stretch during a break or going for a brisk walk after dinner will clear your mind and enhance your physical health. You'll also get more mental clarity when you exercise, and who doesn't need and want that as a mom?!
5. Connect with Others
While time is tight, nurturing connections with friends and family is vital for emotional health. Schedule quick catch-up calls with loved ones or engage through texts.
You might consider planning a regular "mom's night" with friends, even if it’s a virtual gathering. Activities like online watch parties or shared recipes can nurture those vital connections. It truly takes a village to raise kiddos and we have to likely be more creative than we used to because a lot of us are spread out more. But focusing on these relationships are really important for our health.
6. Gratitude Practice
Establishing a gratitude practice can shift your perspective and enhance mindfulness. Each day, reflect on three things you appreciate about your life. Whether through journaling or simple verbal acknowledgments, recognizing these small joys can lead to enhanced resilience.
There is now research on how the power of positivity and gratitude can have on our brains. In the book The Source, author Dr. Tara Swart talks about how changing your perspective on things can have a literal and profound scientific impact on your neurotransmitters that will impact mood and brain health. Think dopamine and other feel good hormones!
Embracing Self-Care for Healthier Living
Realistic self-care is not about perfection; it’s about balance and sustainability. As busy moms, embracing practical self-care strategies can greatly improve personal well-being. By integrating small, manageable techniques into our routines, moms can boost both emotional and physical health, which in turn helps us be the best moms we can to our families.
Making time for yourself is not selfish; it’s an investment in your family's future. Your well-being matters for you and for everyone who relies on your love and care.
Start today by making one small change, and observe how your life shifts towards balance and joy. Enjoy the journey of motherhood, and remember: you truly deserve it.
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