Are you a mom juggling all the mom things? In your busy schedule, do you ever make time for yourself? Many moms are guilty of taking care of everything and everyone around them but failing to take a moment for themselves.
I get it. As a mom, there is always so much to do, so many places to go, and so many people to tend to. But let me let you in on a little secret: If you don’t take care of yourself, you can’t effectively do all of the things. Or, if by chance you do figure out how to do it all without taking care of yourself, it will likely come at the expense of burnout, overwhelm, and resentment.
Let’s talk about some habits of self-care that will help you put yourself first.
Good Habits of Self-Care for Busy Moms
1. Exercise
Exercising is a great form of self-care. In addition to being excellent for your physical health, exercising is great for your mental and emotional health, too. You may be thinking that your schedule is already slam-packed, but there are lots of creative ways to incorporate exercise into your already busy schedule. You can exercise at home, in the park, or you can check out these great places to exercise in the Birmingham area.
2. Start a Journal
Writing is therapeutic. Keeping a journal allows you to get your thoughts out whenever and however you want. Journaling is particularly helpful for moms because it allows us to clear the clutter from our minds so that we can focus on our mom duties.
3. Find Time for Friends
It’s easy to lose yourself in motherhood, so it’s important for you to find time for your friends. You may not be able to talk to your friends as much due to your hectic schedule, but at least make time to shoot a text message or send a card. Be intentional about scheduling meet-ups with your friends, too. Time with good friends can recharge you and remind you that you’re not on this motherhood journey alone.
4. Get the Proper Amount of Sleep
You’re setting yourself up for failure when you try to attack the duties of the day without getting the proper amount of sleep. Sleep deprivation is a key culprit in weak health. You should strive for seven to nine hours of sleep each night. This goal is probably not realistic for some stages of motherhood, but you should make every effort to get as much sleep as you can as often as possible.
5. Observe a Morning Routine
Take time for yourself every morning. Set your alarm for a few minutes before everyone else wakes. Use this time to just sit in silence before everyone else in the house gets up. Or use it to meditate or enjoy a cup of coffee or tea. It can be as little as 15 minutes. You’ll be pleasantly surprised to see how taking a little time for yourself before jumping right into the day can make such a huge difference.
6. Maximize Your Time
There’s no debating that mom time is different from other time. Somehow, every minute of a mom’s day has something occupying it. However, in the midst of doing all of those things, it’s important for moms to maximize their time so that they can fit in some self-care. Supermoms have mastered the art of maximizing their time, so they’re not afraid to do things like exercise while at the kids’ soccer practice, utilize grocery pickup or delivery services, and plan meals (and snacks) for the week. We all get the same amount of time in the day. Maximizing that time is a great self-care idea for busy moms.
7. Ask for Help
Have you met a mom who received an exquisite prize for doing all of her mom duties by herself? Me either. Just because we can do all the things on our own doesn’t mean we should. There are so many people and resources available to help moms. Taking advantage of those resources doesn’t make you less of a mom.
8. Eat Healthy Foods (More Often)
The foods we consume affect our health significantly. If you eat healthy foods more often than not, you will notice a difference in your overall health. Sometimes, moms are guilty of being intentional about food for their children but failing to monitor their own diets. Invest time in planning and prepping better mealsl; your body will thank you!
9. Reward Yourself
Listen mom, I am pretty sure a boss woman like yourself works incredibly hard. Take time to reward yourself for all of the hard work that you do. Go for coffee or buy something you have been longing for. Treat yourself to a manicure, pedicure, or even a whole spa day. There is no shame in celebrating yourself for all of the hard work that you do. You deserve it, mom!
10. Laugh Heartily at Least Once a Day
You know that saying “laughter is the best medicine”? I believe it to be true. Laughter not only decreases stress hormones, but it also increases immune cells. Whether it’s watching your favorite television show or talking with your most comical friend, find a way to laugh at least one time a day.
11. Do Something Fun
As moms, we can get so caught up in our children that we forget about ourselves. When was the last time that you did something that gave you joy? Remember to do things that you enjoy often. Turn up the music and dance your heart out. Play a game, attend a festival, or watch a movie. Find something that you find enjoyable to do every now and then! There are lots of fun things to do in the Birmingham area, so schedule a “Mom’s Night Out” soon!
Conclusion
Try establishing some of these self-care habits in an effort to take better care of yourself. You need to be intentional about practicing self-care habits that will help you put yourself first more often. You would never let your phone battery get too low, right? So, don’t let it happen to you either.
Remember: Self-care is a priority, not luxury. In order to be the best mom, you have to be the best you!
