I’m so excited to feature Jen, she’s an amazing mom and blogger! She helps others in their mental health journey through writing at Diffusing The Tension. Today, she’s going to talk about self-care for moms and why it’s so important. 

Self-care is a major buzzword. You see it just about everywhere you look. Some of the advice is helpful. Some, not so much.  

I wanted to share some easy self-care ideas for busy moms because I am right there with you.  I often find myself tired, stressed, and like I need a little extra care. My little ones are four and two so life is extra crazy. We are almost literally drowning in toys and pullups, and many days, tears.

So, trust me, I see you.

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What Exactly Is Self-Care?

According to Psych Central, self-care is:

“…any activity that we do deliberately in order to take care of our mental, emotional, and physical health. Although it’s a simple concept, in theory, it’s something we often overlook. Good self-care is key to improved mood and reduced anxiety. It’s also key to a good relationship with oneself and others.”

A Closer Look at Self-Care for Moms

We can take a few things from the above definition.  Self-care:

• Is deliberate
• Is good for our mental and emotional health
• Makes us feel good physically
• Improves our mood
• Reduces anxiety
• Improves our relationship(s) with ourselves and others

Quick Tip From Adriane! A great way to remember how to squeeze self-care into your daily routines is by using the acronym, MYSELF. Sign up for the Raising Kids With Purpose Newsletter and receive the How To Take Care of MYSELF eBook for FREE! 

Make It Deliberate

Self-care must be deliberate.  You have to make the choice on a daily basis to fit it into your schedule.  Or, if not daily, as often as you can.  

I recommend getting in a good self-care session once a week to start, and then work your way up to 5-7 days a week. Have patience with yourself. Improving your wellness is not an easy journey, so you need to give yourself grace as you begin.

Make It Good For You Emotionally

Obviously, whatever self-care activity you choose needs to benefit you emotionally.  

If doing the activity is causing you more stress than you felt originally, it might not be the best fit for you.  Find something that is calming and brings you joy. Doing something you do not enjoy is counterproductive.

Make It Good For You Physically

Anything you can do to benefit your physical health is a major win!  

Yes, it might feel good temporarily to sit and eat an entire package of Oreos. But is that something that will help you feel better overall? Definitely not. Make sure you are choosing activities that add wellness, rather than subtract.

Make Sure It Improves Your Mood

If the self-care activity leaves you feeling negative or overwhelmed, try something else.  

Self-care for moms is a marathon, not a sprint, and it can take some time to figure out what is going to end up working for you. Don’t feel guilty if something you read about on this blog isn’t immediately helpful. It takes time.

Make Sure It Reduces Your Anxiety

If you are feeling anxious, you might need a little extra self-care than someone who is emotionally well. Make sure you are extra diligent about selecting activities that reduce those feelings of anxiety or overwhelm, and instead, leave you feeling relaxed.

Make Sure It Improves Your Relationships

It is not going to help your mental health if you are damaging your relationships in the progress. You want to make sure that the self-care journey you decide to take is not alienating you from your loved ones. More importantly, you want to make sure it is not alienating you from yourself.  You are the important factor here. Choose activities that move you closer to an ideal version of yourself, while at the same time not moving you away from those you love.

Bonus Tips

There are a couple of other things I want to point out regarding self-care for moms.  

First of all, it must be specific to you.  

I kind of referenced this earlier. An adequate self-care activity is one that is good for you personally. In the section below, I am going to deliver on the promise in the title of this article and offer 7 easy self-care ideas for busy moms.

However, not all of the ideas might work for you.  It takes a bit of trial and error, so stick with it. You might have to try several things before you settle on something that works.

Secondly, I want to touch on the concept of quantity vs. quality. You might sit and watch television after work for five hours to try to relax, but if you are feeding your negative emotions through what you watch, it is doing more harm than good.  

In my opinion, it is better to get shorter bursts of high-quality self-care, than longer spurts of ineffective self-care.

Read Next: How to Take Care Of MYSELF So I Can Give More To My Family

7 Easy Self-Care Ideas 

I have some ideas for you that I think could really help. This is a game of trial and error.  Therefore, work your way down the list until you find something that resonates with you.

Fit in a good workout

This is my go-to activity I have been making a daily priority.  This ticks off lots of the above boxes. It is so good for physically and mentally.  Exercise releases feel-good chemicals in your brain called endorphins.  Endorphins make you happy and improve your self-esteem.

Take a hike with friends

This can be helpful for a couple of reasons. It is a form of exercise, so those endorphins come into play again. It also exposes you to another one of nature’s miracles: sunshine. Sunshine helps your body get the Vitamin D that it needs to feel good.

Read or listen to a good book

Reading is one of my favorite activities. There isn’t much I love more in the world than curling up with a blanket and an engrossing book. Currently, I am reading “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil,” and I can feel the book calling me from across the room.

Paint or color a picture

Getting creative has a ton of benefits. Among other things, art can relieve the mental exhaustion that a busy schedule creates. We, moms, know all about that.  Take some time to get artistic. Whether it be a pencil and paper, crayons, or paint.

Write In A Journal

Journaling is another activity that can free your mind. It can be really therapeutic to take all the thoughts rolling around in your brain and release them onto paper. Buy a gorgeous new journal (like these that I found!) and fun colored pens, and start writing!

Take a hot bath with Epsom salt

Epsom salt detoxes your body of all the crud it accumulates on a daily basis. Let the hot water wash away your stress and frustration and negativity. Bonus points if you bring a mug of your favorite hot tea or a glass of wine with you!

Drink between half an ounce and an ounce of water for each pound you weigh

Every day, I try to drink 80 ounces. Drinking water helps you feel better physically, which in turn, helps you feel better mentally and emotionally. It’s a good health care practice, period.

Download Your Free Self-Care eBook

Not sure where to start? Sign up for the Raising Kids With Purpose’s newsletter and receive a free eBook to walk you through self-care for moms practices.

What About You?

Which of these activities resonates with you the most? Do you have any favorite self-care ideas that did not make the list? Comment below!

About the Author

Jen, the blogger behind Diffusing the Tension, lives in Northwest Indiana with her husband and two children.  She is a busy mama who loves reading, working out, true crime, and watching TV. (Hello, murder documentaries!) 

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