It’s easy to forget about yourself when you’re caring for others. These ideas for self care for moms will give you some ideas and help you remember why it’s so important to take care of yourself, too!
This is a post that I’ve been thinking about writing for days.
It’s been a rough go this past week. The kids have not been playing well, the house is a mess (why is everything so sticky?!) and life has just felt, well, overwhelming.
I told my husband I need some time for self-care this weekend. It is so important to remember that we, too, need to be taken care of.
It’s easy to fall into the routine of taking care of everyone around you. In fact, it’s essentially what being a mom is in these early years. And new moms need self care more than anyone!
Your mind becomes a constant running list of who has eaten, who needs to eat, who needs a new diaper, who’s crying, who needs to sleep soon, is there enough food in the fridge? What will I make for dinner?! What on EARTH did I just step in?! It all becomes overwhelming, exhausting, and defeating.
I definitely feel this as a mom of two under two, and soon to be three kids ages three and under!
Eventually, your patience fades, you find yourself feeling angry and resentful, and the tiniest things feel huge. Even though these are some of the happiest years, and there is so much joy within each day, there are times you may feel depressed, anxious, and alone.
You have to take care of yourself to take care of others!
It’s OK to take time for you.
You may have heard the saying, “you can’t pour from an empty cup,” but us moms are used to doing that all the time.
Sometimes, Mommy needs a minute of solidarity. It will recharge your soul, restore your patience, and give you a fresh take on your day. Don’t be afraid to take some time for yourself.
Call your partner, your babysitter, your mom, dad, grandma or grandpa, aunts, uncles, cousins or the neighbor down the street. You deserve this! Here’s some ideas of ways to take that precious time you need to recharge.
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Self care ideas for moms
Read a Book
And no, not a book that rhymes with bright colors and pictures.
Not a book that tells you how to discipline your child or have a better marriage.
Read that mystery novel that’s been sitting on the coffee table. Or a newspaper, trashy magazine, or a puzzle book. Whatever it is you like, read that!
Maybe treat yourself to a Kindle and escape to a quiet room for awhile.
Pamper yourself
This could look like a lot of different things!
Maybe it’s a full day at the salon with a massage, facial, sauna…I could go on, and on and get really carried away (it’s a day I fantasize about!)
Perhaps it’s getting your nails done, your hair cut, or just soaking in the bathtub for awhile. It always feels good to just relax, unwind, and feel pretty.
Exercise
The most important thing I do each day is work out.
I like to get my workout in first thing in the morning, so that I feel energized and relaxed the rest of the day. Whenever I feel stressed or anxious, it’s usually because I skipped my morning workout.
My gym offers free childcare with membership, and my kids love it! It’s important to me that my kids understand the health benefits of exercise, and seeing me do it every day will help them learn that exercise is a priority.
If going to the gym isn’t your thing, check out some home exercise videos, go for a walk/jog, or hit up YouTube. You’ll find something you love and that makes you feel good, too!
Take a nap
Gasp! If you’re thinking, “HA, this lady’s crazy! I have too much to do to nap!”– trust me, I totally understand.
Even a 20 minute power nap can leave you feeling stronger and ready to take on the rest of the day.
Shower and get dolled up
It might feel silly to spend the time to style your hair and put on a little makeup to head to preschool pickup, but sometimes our psyche improves with a fresh start to your looks.
When we feel good about ourselves, we can make others feel good, and our kids will notice.
I found this amazing hair styling tool on Amazon a few months ago! It works amazing for giving me a blowout look it half the time. Plus, my hair lasts a few days!
I can go from wet hair to dried and styled hair in 15 minutes with this tool.
Watch a Movie
The important part about this is to watch a movie that you want to watch!
Actually take the time to sit on the couch, turn on the TV, and watch something start to finish. Turn your brain off and just watch!
Go Shopping
Without kids! Wander mindlessly through the aisles of Target without a tiny person telling you they need a snack, to pee, or to look at every toy aisle. Get yourself a coffee and try something on for once! Buy yourself a new pair of jeans, you deserve this! Those shoes? Get them! Don’t go broke, but treat yo-self to something that makes you happy.
Try a New Recipe
Now, if baking isn’t your thing, don’t choose this one. But if you’re like me and find cooking and baking relaxing, block off a few hours to spend in the kitchen.
Maybe it’s cookies, or chocolate or even warm bread. Check out my recipe section, or dust off the cookbook to find something that suits your fancy.
If you get anything from this post, I hope it’s that you are doing a great job and deserve a moment to yourself.
You can be an amazing parent and still need a break. You can love your kids to death and still need a break. It is not selfish to do something for yourself!
Take the time today to love yourself.
