How to Practice Self Care as a Busy Mom

I get it! You are busy!

We’ve all heard it before: moms need self-care. For many of us, me included, we know that we need self-care but it can be too hard to actually put it into practice.  For many, self-care seems unreachable. But you absolutely need to take care of yourself first! I have said it before and I will say it again, You Can’t Pour From An Empty Cup!

 

Why Self Care Is Important for Moms

 

Self-care is not always easy to find time for, especially when you have kids. It often seems like there are more things that you need to do than hours in the day.

 

But it is essential to take care of yourself to take care of your family and your loved ones in the best way possible.

 

Self-care helps you be a happier mom, and your kids will be more comfortable as well.

 

We’ve all heard the saying that you cannot pour from an empty cup, and that is so true for moms. By taking time for yourself, you give your body, mind, and spirit a “reset,” allowing you to care for your family.

 

Routine self-care also helps moms avoid burnout and may be able to aid with postpartum depression as well.

 

How to Practice Self Care as a Busy Mom

 

Here are a few quick ways to help you find the time and mental capacity to practice self-care even when super busy or tired.

 

1. Acknowledge

Acknowledge that self-care is a priority and commit to it.

YOU CAN’T POUR FROM AN EMPTY CUP!

Practice those affirmations! Here are a few of my favorite self-care affirmations:

 

• I deserve time for myself
• Self-care is not selfish
• I am a better mom when I take time for myself

 

It may take some time to work through these emotions and negative mindset, but it is worth it. Acknowledge that self-care is essential to yourself every day, and you will start to believe it!

 

When you make it a priority, you will reap all the benefits, and there will be no room left for guilt.

 

2. Plan and Strategize

Create a self-care plan with strategies that work for you.

Everyone needs a different type of self-care. For some moms, it is working out, but for others, it is binge-watching their favorite show.

 

Try out a variety of things and see what indeed helps you feel like yourself. Then stick with that and create your self-care plan.

 

3. End The Guilt

Stop feeling guilty about taking time to take care of yourself.

 

This goes back to the first step. It is so hard to change those feelings, but remember that you deserve self-care. Your family will be okay without you and are better off when you take care of yourself with self-care.

 

I used to feel so guilty every time I would be by myself. Eventually, it ruined self-care altogether for me. I wasn’t enjoying it and was more stressed when I took that time.

 

But by working through those emotions and realizing that I had that guilt, I could move forward. Now when I take time for myself, I feel rejuvenated and like I am a new person.

 

4. Practice Regularly

Practice self-care when you feel overwhelmed or stressed out, not just when something feels “wrong.”

Self-care is not meant to be a last resort when you are about to explode. It is a daily, routine thing to do. Even if you love being a mom and feel great, it is still important to take that time.

 

Self-care helps you find who you once were before becoming a mom. It helps you continue your hobbies and be something other than just a mom, even if motherhood is all you want.

 

6. Motivate Yourself

Consider what might motivate you to take better care of yourself, and then find ways to give yourself that reward every day (even if it’s just five minutes!)  

Reward yourself for taking care of yourself! Learning about our motivations only helps our drive to change and do something.

 

When you motivate yourself with rewards to practice self-care, you are more likely to do it and feel good about it, so if this works for you, do it! Eventually, self-care will be natural to you.

 

What Are the Best Self-care Ideas for Moms?

Self-care is not always about going to the spa or giving yourself a manicure. Instead, it can be as simple as a few minutes of meditation, walking around the block, or writing in a journal.

The key is to do something that you enjoy, giving you some time for yourself.

 

We all know how tough it can be to find time for ourselves with kids at home. We’re often juggling work and parenting and have little time left over for ourselves.

 

One of the best ways to take care of ourselves is by making sure we’re doing something every day that we enjoy doing- even if it’s just five minutes worth!

 

If you are low on time or can’t find the energy or means to practice self-care, start with these tasks first and work your way up. You got this, mama!

 

1. Take Care of Your Health

We all need a healthy mom to have a healthy baby. Taking care of your health helps you to get through each day.

 

Even taking a few minutes a day to ensure you are healthy will make all the difference in the world.

2. Get Enough Sleep

I know this is so hard, especially with a newborn, but so crucial. Even if it means the dishes don’t get done one day so you can sleep while your baby is napping, take that time. You will feel so much better and have more energy to do the dishes later on.

3. Eat Regular Meals

As busy moms, it seems almost impossible to find time to eat three meals a day, let alone cook it! But, as you slowly start to eat more, you will have so much more energy and will feel like a brand new person.

 

Start small and slowly work your way to eating regular meals.

 

4. Schedule Time for Leisure and Relaxation

Now that your basic needs are being taken care of start to schedule in time for your self-care. If something is on the calendar, it is much easier to go through with it!

 

5. Be Mindful and Build Mindfulness Skills

Practicing mindfulness has so many benefits, but it is especially great for moms! When I practiced being mindful daily, at least for five minutes in the morning and night, I felt like an entirely new mom. I was happier, and it changed my outlook for my entire day.

 

6. Find Community and Support From Other Moms

While you want to find time to be alone, it is also important and fun to take a self-care day with other moms around you!

 

Find a support group or get together with some moms in your neighborhood, and you will feel amazing. Like it takes a village to raise a child, it also takes a village to be a mom.

 

Find time for yourself, mama; you need it, you deserve it. I know it is hard in the beginning, but it is totally worth it. You can do this!