Working mom self-care ideas: 25 ways to make time for yourself
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There’s no getting around it – being a working mom is tough. Juggling work and home life can be overwhelming, and it can be easy to neglect yourself after meeting all of your demands. But it’s important to remember to take care of yourself, too! In this post will I will share 25 self-care ideas for working moms.
I know what you’re thinking. You’ve just come home from a long day at work and the kids are starving.
It’s time to get dinner on the table, but you’re exhausted and just wish you could have some quiet time alone.
Then you wonder when was the last time you’ve done something for yourself. You’ve sort of given up on that because there is no time to do anything for yourself.
I get it. I’m a working mom too, and finding time for myself is often hard to come by. But it’s important that you make time for yourself, even if it’s just for a few minutes each day.
Why is self-care important for mothers?
Self-care is important for mothers because it allows us to take a break from our hectic lives and recharge. When we’re recharged, we’re able to better cope with the stresses of motherhood.
When we’re constantly running around and taking care of others, it’s easy to forget about our own needs.
But if we don’t take care of ourselves, we’ll eventually burn out. And when we’re burnt out, we’re not much good to anyone.
Burnout day after day can lead to depression, lack of sleep, weight gain and can cause tension in our relationships.
So it’s important to take some time each day, even if it’s just a few minutes, to do something that’s just for us.
What does self-care look like for a mom
Self-care doesn’t have to be expensive or time-consuming. The important thing is that you make time for yourself and do something that makes you happy.
First, it’s important to schedule some time for yourself every day.
Even if it’s just 15 minutes, carve out some time that is just for you. Add it to your calendar just like you would any other important appointment.
If you have a hard time sticking to your schedule, try setting a daily or weekly reminder on your phone.
Second, try to keep your weekends free so you can relax and recharge. One of the things that I am guilty of is trying to squeeze as much as I can into the weekend.
But, after working all week, then running ragged on the weekend, I was just as tired come Monday morning.
Wash. Rinse. Repeat. Can you relate?
self-care tips for working moms
To help you get into a self-care routine in your life, here are 25 self-care ideas you can start today:
1. Read a book
There is nothing like curling up with a good book to help you relax.
Whether it is fiction or nonfiction, reading can take your mind off of your day-to-day stresses and transport you to another place.
An alternative to reading is listening to audiobooks. Audiobooks are great, but be mindful of the temptation to multitask when listening.
2. Take a bath
Taking a relaxing bath can help you de-stress after a long day. Add some soothing aromatherapy or a bath bomb to help you relax even more. Get lost in a good book while soaking.
3. Declutter your space
Clutter is one of the main things that leads to overwhelm. Clutter can literally zap the energy right out of you and kill your creativity.
Decluttering your space can help you feel more organized and in control. Start with one small area at a time and before you know it, your entire space will be decluttered!
One practice that I strongly recommend is to set a timer for 15 minutes and go around the house with a laundry basket, corralling items that are out of place.
When the timer goes off, have every member of your family come and get their own belongings and put them away.
Not only with your house be tidy, but your mental well-being will be better off as well.
You Might also like:
10 Things to Declutter in 10 Minutes
5 Simple Ways to Make Your Home More Relaxing
4. Write in a journal
Journaling is a great way to reflect on your day and work through any thoughts or feelings that are causing you stress. It can also be helpful to track your progress towards your self-care goals.
Some journal prompts can include :
What are three things that I am grateful for today?
What was the best part of my day?
What is one thing that I need to work on?
What is causing me stress right now?
How can I take care of myself today?
5. Exercise
Working out can be a great way to de-stress and improve your mood. Choose an activity that you enjoy and try to make it a regular part of your routine.
If after time, you feel yourself in a rut with your exercise routine, don’t hesitate to change it up. The key is consistency if this is something you enjoy doing.
6. Start a hobby
Having a hobby that you enjoy can help you relax and take your mind off of work and all of your responsibilities.
It can also be a great way to meet new people and make friends. There are so many hobby options from cooking to crafting or even starting an online business such as a blog.
But, let me give you a piece of advice: your hobby is meant to be fun and relaxing.
Don’t let your hobby turn into a burden. This will defeat the purpose of developing a hobby for self-care.
you might also like:
Stuck in a Rut? 20 Ways to Find Joy When Life Seems Mundane
7. Get a mani/pedi
Even just a few minutes of pampering can help you feel more relaxed.
Plus, it is a great way to treat yourself for a job well done. Mani/pedis are even more fun with friends.
8. Take a nap
Working moms often sacrifice their own sleep in order to get everything done. But getting enough sleep is crucial for your health.
If you have the opportunity, take a quick nap to help rejuvenate yourself.
A 20-30 minute nap can be just what you need to get through the rest of your day.
Sometimes just laying down in a quiet, dimly lit room with your eyes closed can help you feel refreshed, even if you didn’t catch any zzz’s.
9. Disconnect from technology
One of the best ways to relax is to disconnect from technology and all of your electronic devices.
While scrolling through social media can seem like a relaxing mindless act, it does tend to evoke emotions. When you are already tired and feeling overwhelmed from working mom life, social media scrolling can end up taking more out of you.
Schedule a social media-free day or take a break from your phone and spend some time enjoying the world around you.
10. Take a walk
Sometimes the best way to relax is to get some fresh air. Take a walk around your neighborhood or in a nearby park and take in the sights and sounds.
11. Dinner with a friend
Spending time with friends is a great way to relax and catch up on life. Choose a night to have dinner or drinks with a friend and make it a regular thing.
Before you end the night, make sure to get another activity planned with your friends so that a long time-lapse doesn’t occur before you see each other again.
You might also like:
How to Make Friends as a Working Mom
12. Attend an in-person or online Bible study
One of the best ways to relax and de-stress is to attend a Bible study. You can find in-person or online options that fit your schedule.
Bible studies are a great way to connect with other people and learn more about your faith. Plus, they can provide you with some much-needed support and encouragement.
There are several Bible Studies that you can go through on your own if you are unable to be a part of a group.
13. Get a massage
A massage is a great way to relax your muscles and improve your circulation. It can also help you reduce stress and anxiety.
If you don’t have time for a full-body massage, you can try a head, neck, and shoulder massage.
14. Work in the garden
If you have a green thumb, put it to good use and work in the garden. Gardening can be therapeutic and it is a great way to get some exercise.
You can also enjoy the fruits (or vegetables) of your labor by eating what you grow.
15. Watch a movie
Watching a movie can be a great way to unwind and watch the show that you choose. Pick out a movie that you have been wanting to see or watch one of your favorites.
Make sure to pop some popcorn and get comfortable on the couch.
16. Eat healthy meals
Eating healthy meals is a surefire way to improve your mood and energy levels. When you are feeling run down, it can be tempting to reach for unhealthy comfort food.
But, eating healthy meals will help you feel better in the long run. So, make sure to include plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in your diet.
17. Take a day off from work
If you are feeling overwhelmed or stressed out, take a day off from work. Schedule a mental health day or use vacation days to relax and rejuvenate yourself.
This can be a great way to reset and come back to work feeling refreshed and ready to take on whatever comes your way.
18. Schedule kid-free time
It is important to schedule some kid-free time for yourself. This can be time to relax and recharge without having to worry about anything else.
You can use this time to do something that you enjoy or just to catch up on some much-needed sleep.
19. Write a letter to your future self
A great way to relax is to write a letter to your future self.
This can be a letter about anything that you want- from your hopes and dreams to your current struggles. I
t can be a way to reflect on your life and what you want to change in the future. Plus, it can be fun to read your letter a few years down the line and see how far you have come.
20. Schedule your yearly doctor appointments
It is important to schedule your yearly doctor appointments, even if you don’t feel like anything is wrong.
This can be a great way to get a check-up and to make sure that everything is okay. It can also help you catch any health problems early on so that they can be treated.
I promise not to go on my nurse rant, but it is so important to make time to love yourself in this way. It can be scary to go to the doctor if you haven’t been in a while.
But as you get into the practice of making annual doctor appointments that scary feeling starts to fade away, trust me.
21. Buy an outfit you love
One way to make yourself feel good is to buy an outfit that you love. This can be a new piece of clothing or something that you have been wanting for a while.
When you wear something that makes you feel good, it can boost your confidence and make you feel more put together.
However, let me love you well enough to encourage you to choose an alternate activity on this list if you are on a tight budget or struggling financially. There will be a time for this.
22. Find things to laugh at
Laughter is one of the best forms of self-care. So, find things that make you laugh and incorporate them into your life.
This can be watching funny movies, reading jokes, or listening to comedy podcasts. Laughter can help you reduce stress, improve your mood, and boost your immune system.
So, make sure to add some laughter to your self-care routine.
23. Drink plenty of water
Drinking plenty of water is a great way to improve your overall health. When you are dehydrated, it can be difficult to think clearly and to focus on anything else.
Drinking at least 64 ounces of water each day can help with this. It will also help you stay hydrated and help to improve your mood and energy levels.
24. Wake up before everyone else
One of the best ways to take care of yourself is to wake up before everyone else. This can be a great way to start your day on a positive note.
You can use this time to do something that you enjoy or to just take some time for yourself. This can be a great way to start your day and to set the tone for the rest of the day.
I started this practice a few years ago and I can’t even tell you how much of a positive impact this has made on my morning routine. The quiet time I have in the morning is sacred!
you might also like:
Morning Routine For Working Moms: 10 Tips for Success
How to Get Up Early When You Are Not a Morning Person
25. Let go of resentment
Resentment can be a major drain on your energy and it can be difficult to focus on anything else when you are feeling this way.
There are always be things that you cannot control, and people are no exception.
You alone control your responses to situations so don’t let your feelings hold you hostage. Let go of any resentment that you are holding on to.
This can be a difficult process, but it is worth it in the end. When you let go of resentment, you will be able to focus on the positive aspects of your life.
So, there you have it! There are endless self-care options for working moms. But, these are a few of my favorites.
Self-care for working moms can be anything that helps you relax and de-stress. It can be something that you do on a regular basis or something that you only do when you are feeling overwhelmed. To keep from getting burned out, I do recommend that you implement some of these tips several times a week, if not daily. The important thing is to find what works for you and to make sure that you are taking care of yourself.
If you have any self-care tips for working moms, please share them.