Simple and Relaxing Self-care Ideas for Busy Moms to Stay Sane

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We moms are always busy. Busy taking care of our kids and family, but too busy to take time out for our own self-care. In this post, I’ll share some self-care ideas for busy moms, like you and me, who often forget to show love and care to ourselves while caring for our kids and family.

As moms, we consistently put self-care as our lowest priority. When it is last on the list, it is the one that can most easily be skipped entirely if we run out of time. There must be a balance between rest and responsibilities as well as between solitude and other interactions.

Self-care is, at times, choosing yourself over your kids; but that doesn’t mean you are neglecting your kids. As a mom, it is difficult to get a stretch of uninterrupted time for yourself especially when your kids are little and/or very active. Mom burnouts are real. Sometimes you feel overwhelmed and exhausted to the point that you want to leave everything behind and go somewhere else all by yourself and just breathe in peace!

Many of us are guilty of chugging through the day, tending to our kids, crossing things off our to do list, driving from here to there to get errands done on time, only to find ourselves at the end of our day feeling completely drained and exhausted. That’s why, self-care should be given priority in a mom’s life.

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So, What is Self-care and Why is it Necessary?

“Self-care is giving the world the best of you, instead of what’s left of you.” ~ Katie Reed

Self-care means intentionally doing things to take care of your minds, bodies, and souls by engaging in activities that promote your well-being, uplift your spirit, and reduce stress. Good self-care is key to improved mood and reduced anxiety. Doing so enhances your ability to enjoy your life and live fully, vibrantly, and effectively.

Self-care is important to maintain a healthy relationship with yourself. The practice of self-care also reminds both you and others that your needs, especially as a mom, are valid and a priority. That, if you don’t take good care of yourself and continue to ignore your personal well-being, it will not only deprive you of the joys and pleasures of your life but also it will negatively affect your relationship with your kids and your husband.

It’s no wonder that when you neglect your own self-care, it catches up with you. You pay for that in a way that causes you some kind of pain or loss. But with a little bit of attention to your own self-care, you will feel a lot calmer, happier, healthier, and more aware of your surroundings. And more importantly, as a mom you’ll become more considerate and patient with your kids. You will feel more connected to yourself and the world around you. You will delight in simple pleasures of life, and your struggles will not seem quite as difficult as they did before.

Do understand that self-care is NOT a luxury, rather a pure necessity. Because self-care is really about maintaining your every day wellbeing, and making sure your emotional, physical and social cups are being filled. And it doesn’t have to cost you a fortune. Most of the times, it doesn’t cost you anything at all.

Self-care Ideas for Moms

First and foremost, make sure your daily basic needs are being met. These are the core to self-care, and often overlooked by busy moms. These include:

Getting 7-8 hours of sleep
Eating 3 healthy, nutritious meals
Drinking plenty of water a day to stay hydrated
Brushing teeth and washing face
Moving your body
Taking your vitamins

Then, start by thinking about what things or activities make you happy. What energizes, refuels and feeds your soul? Is it quiet activities like reading before bed, or talking to a loved one, or perhaps a little bit of pampering?

Below you’ll find some simple yet relaxing self-care ideas for busy moms that will help you come alive and stay sane. Try some or all of them to see which ones work best for you. Then, incorporate those activities into your daily routines.

Take a bath or a hot shower

Taking a hot bath or a shower is a great way of practicing self-care for busy, tired moms. Soaking your body in warm water after a stressful day can soothe your mind, especially if you add a scent to your experience with body wash, a bath bomb, or even a candle. Try to go for energizing or relaxing scents like eucalyptus and lavender. Relax and unwind from a stressful day by creating a relaxing environment in your bathroom, maybe consider reading while you soak or just lean back and close your eyes.

If a relaxing bath is not your option, you can take a hot shower to wash away all the stress from your body. Take a steaming hot shower followed by a cool splash to energize every cell in your body. After you have scrubbed with warm water, switch to cold for 30 seconds. You’ll feel so much better and relaxed right away!

Take a nap

Sleep is a luxury when you are a mom. Take a nap whenever you get 20-30 minutes. It surely works wonders. You’ll wake up refreshed and rejuvenated. It will relax your mind and reduce the physical and mental exhaustion that you go through – all day. Your body and mind will thank you for the rest.

Pray or meditate

For those of you who believe in the power of prayer, you know that it can instantly calm your spirit and make you feel better. For me, one of the the best ways to deal with any type of anxiety is through prayer. When I bring my concerns to my Lord and seek His help, I feel relieved and calm.

You can also try meditation. Meditation is a tried and tested way to relax. When you first start meditating, your mind may wander around and not be still. You may feel you are not able to concentrate. However, slowly you’ll gain some control over your mind and you’ll experience calm and peace. You’ll destress from the problems you had during the day and feel calmer.

Do a little bit of cleaning and decluttering

Did you know physical clutter can stress you out? According to a study featured in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, clutter can actually have negative effects on our mental health, with women who describe their homes as “cluttered,” or “unfinished,” generally having higher rates of stress and depression than women who described their living spaces as “restful,” and “restorative.”

So if you are feeling overwhelmed, do a quick cleaning and de-clutter session. You’ll be able to breath a little easier.

Get a head massage

Getting a head massage after a long tiring day can be very relaxing. You can ask your spouse or any family member to give you a head massage. You can also oil your hair and give yourself a relaxing head massage.

Maybe you can try a Spider head massager for your next head massage. I love this thing. It feels so good on your head! Plus, it’s very inexpensive. Use this one on your scalp, and let your stress melt away.

Enjoy some kids-free quiet time

If your kids are a little older, you get kids-free time when they go to school. But if your kids are toddlers or even younger, it’s hard to make some time for yourself.

But as they say, it takes a village to raise a child. It can’t be more true. Have someone you trust to be in charge of your kids for couple of hours when you take some quality time off for yourself.

Even asking your spouse to look after your child so that you can get some alone time in another room will give you a much needed short break.

Go for a walk

Going for a walk outside, in your neighborhood or a park, is a great way to disconnect from everything that happened during the day. When you are in motion, it boosts your mood, sharpens your thinking, and makes you feel calmer and more relaxed.

Time outdoors may also reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol, says clinical exercise physiologist Paul Innerd, Ph.D., of the University of Sunderland in the U.K. The benefit of fresh air and sunshine have amble effects on not just your mental health but your physical health as well.

Take in the beauty of sunsets

Mother Nature can make us feel good anytime. Sit outside on your porch and enjoy the beauty of the sunset. We should intentionally slow down at times, and take time to enjoy and appreciate the beautiful little things around us to feed our souls.

Enjoy a cup of tea

There is something so comforting and refreshing about enjoying a hot drink in the early morning or evening. If you enjoy tea, make yourself a hot cup of tea after having a long day and drink it. Having a cup of tea after the kids are in bed is the perfect way to relax, unwind, and destress from your day.

According to the CalmClinic.com, a site devoted to holistic approaches to anxiety-reduction, certain teas are a great tool for stress management. They recommended teas like chamomile, lemon, peppermint, kava, and passionflower, but stressed the importance of choosing one without caffeine as that may disturb your sleep routine.

Read a good book or a magazine

Reading can be a great self-care activity for busy moms. But this one sounds way easier than it is. It’s incredibly hard to read a book peacefully when you have two little kids fighting over a toy that neither of them has ever cared for before this moment; or when you have your little ones asking for something repeatedly when you just sat down and picked up that book.

But, if you find the time (even once a week) to check into a book that grabs your full attention and lets your mind travel, it would do wonders for you.

Getting lost in a good book or your favorite magazine is an amazing way to disconnect from the world for a while. It helps you forget about all your stress and work pressure, and diverts your mind from all the complications of life. Reading a book while enjoying a cup of your favorite tea or coffee is the perfect way to unwind and relax!

Call a loved one

Talking to a loved one you care about and who cares about you is a great way to destress. Having a good conversation and sharing your concerns and a few laughter with them will make you feel lighter, happier, and calmer. It also helps to relieve stress when you are able to talk it out.

Having someone who will just listen to you is a pure joy. It could be your mom, your sibling, or a good friend. Talk to them. Just by talking things through, you can feel so much better, lighter, and relaxed.

Hug someone you love

A warm, tight hug can bring so much comfort when you are tired or stressed out. Sometimes all we need is to hug someone we love. All of us can probably agree that sometimes there is nothing like a hug when you are feeling blue.

Scientists say that giving another person support through touch can reduce the stress of the person being comforted and make them happier. It can even reduce the stress of the person doing the comforting. And it will also improve the relationship you have with your family members. So, it’s a win-win!

Family therapist Virginia Satir once said, “We need four hugs a day for survival. We need 8 hugs a day for maintenance. We need 12 hugs a day for growth.” While that may sound like a lot of hugs, it seems that many hugs are better than not enough. So, do it more often.

Cook your favorite healthy meal and enjoy

We, mothers, always think about what our kids like and enjoy to eat, and so we prepare their favorite meals. We rarely take the time to cook our favorite food the way we love, and don’t even slow down to eat our meals as mindfully as possible.

Cooking your favorite dish just for yourself – the way you like – is not selfish. Rather, it’s a form of self-care. Eating your favorite healthy food can improve your mood, boost your spirit, and make you happy. Cook something special for you once a week. Then, take time to enjoy every bite of it without rushing. Your mind and body – both will thank you.

Watch your favorite show or a movie

Watching and enjoying your favorite shows is another way of practicing some self-care. It’s a way of escaping from the stress of daily life to another world from your very own living room.

If you have been meaning to watch one of your favorite shows or a good movie lately, take time to do so. Schedule it on those days when you can sleep in. Enjoying your favorite show on TV – curled up in the couch under a warm blanket can take your tension away and make you feel cozy and relaxed. It also releases endorphins that make you feel good while you watch.

Some psychologists say watching our favorite shows on TV can be an effective way to relieve stress by distracting us from our overworked minds and daily worries.

Say “no” to the non-essentials

As moms, something we often forget that “no” is indeed a good option.

By doing more than you should, you complicate your life. If you say “yes” to every request, you will spend all your free time and energy by keeping busy with the things or people that will not leave any quality time in your schedule for rest or other things that matter most to you.

Remember that every time you say “yes” to something you don’t like to do or don’t have time to do, you are saying “no” to something else that you truly want/need to do. It means you have less time, energy, and attention for the meaningful and important things in your life. Make sure when you say “yes”, it aligns with your priorities and what you value. If it doesn’t, say “no” instead. It’s okay to say “no” when you are already a busy mom.

Write in your journal

You would be surprised to know that writing is a great way to destress and unwind. This is another fantastic self-care activity for busy moms. Journaling can help with your anxiety, stress, and depression (source).

If you maintain a diary or journal, then write in it when you feel stressed out or are having a hard day. Venting out your thoughts and concerns can help you destress and relax, and you’ll feel a lot better and lighter.

Think about a few things you are grateful for

Thinking about your blessings can instantly boost your mood and make you feel better. When things get harder or you start to feel the pressure of life, having an attitude of gratitude can shift your mindset and help you focus on all the things that are good and positive in your life.

Take a 10 minutes break to count your blessings and practice gratitude because gratitude makes what you have enough and more. The feeling of abundance will increase your happiness, and you’ll end your day with a good, positive feeling.

Add to your cart: Good Days Start With Gratitude: A 52 Week Guide To Cultivate An Attitude Of Gratitude: Gratitude Journal

Go to bed early

Getting a good night sleep is so important for you to feel energized during the day. To get enough sleep at night, make sure to go to bed early removing all the distractions from your bedroom. You’ll feel more rested and ready to face the world the following day!

If you struggle to fall asleep fast, valerian root, diffusing a couple drops of essential oils for sleep, or avoiding bright screens right before bed may help you catch some sleep faster.

Wake up a few minutes earlier

Every morning I wake up about 30-45 minutes earlier before my kids wake up so I can enjoy some quiet time drinking my tea, checking my blog analytics, scrolling Facebook, working on my articles etc.

Just getting those few extra minutes to yourself to do something you like can make ALL the difference.

I hope you have found these simple self-care ideas for busy moms helpful. If you ever want more tips, ideas, and advice related to self-care, I have tons saved to my Pinterest board HERE, and it’s being updated every day!