10 Simple Self Care Ideas for Moms Who Need a Break
If you’re a mom, you know how easy it can be to let everyone else’s needs come before your own. With busy schedules and tight budgets, self-care is usually one of the first things to go – often leaving us feeling burned out and unhappy. But there’s another way! Check out these 10 easy and effective self-care ideas for moms to help you recharge and feel your best.
Being a mom is a full-time job, and it’s way too easy to put your own needs on the back burner.
In different seasons of parenting so far, I’ve definitely done this. And I wind up feeling frustrated, bitter and annoyed with everyone around me!
Here’s what I’ve learned:
For us moms, taking care of ourselves is essential to our overall well-being and happiness.
For almost all of us, we can find ways to block our schedule and prioritize mom self care when we really decide to make the effort.
Are you ready to make time for yourself a bigger part of your own life? These 10 self care ideas for moms are all simple, effective, and can help you recharge and feel your best.
1. Practice mindfulness or meditation.
I’ve mentioned before that meditation is something I’ve just recently gotten into.
But in a few short months I’ve already noticed such a big difference in the days that I make it a priority and the days when I don’t.
Taking even just a few minutes every day to practice mindfulness or meditation can do wonders for your mental health and well-being. When I get quiet away from life’s distractions, I think more clearly. My body feels more relaxed, and I have waaaay more patience with my kids.
If you feel a little intimidated by the idea of meditation and mindfulness, it’s so easy to start! If it’s your first time, try setting a timer for 3-5 in a quiet space. (This can literally be in your car at the grocery store!)
Sit comfortably, and focus on your breath, breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth. If your mind starts to wander, gently bring it back to your breath. Repeat until your time ends.
When you’re ready for more, there are countless guided meditation apps and videos available for beginners. Even just a few minutes of mindfulness or meditation daily can make a significant difference in reducing stress. Be sure to add this one to your mom self care kit.
Looking for even more mom self-care tips?
Check out this post from The Stay at Home Con that specifically focuses on self-care for moms with ADHD.
2. Get outside – even if you’re not outdoorsy.
Looking for a completely free way to get a little break in? Open your door and walk outside!
Whether it’s summer or winter, a few minutes of natural light and fresh air can do wonders for your body, mood and perspective. In fact, spending time outdoors is connected to lower needs for antidepressants and lessening the symptoms of insomnia. (American Psychological Association)
This is one of the super easy self care ideas for moms that takes a few minutes a day but can impact every aspect of your life.
So take a book and a blanket and spend 30 minutes reading in your backyard. Take a walk down your street. Move your laptop to a table outside for a portion of your workday. Your time outside just might impact how you feel on the inside, too.
3. Treat yourself to a “spa day” or massage.
I know, I know. You see the word “spa” and instantly think of major dollar signs. But take heart! A day to treat yourself doesn’t have to cost hundreds of dollars.
While you can certainly book a classic spa day with massage, facial or mani and pedi, there are also some affordable options to do this on a smaller scale.
Some of my favorite discount spa day options?
Many spas like the chain Hand and Stone offer last minute booking deals for same or next day massage and facial slots that didn’t get filled.
Health clubs like Lifetime Fitness offer day passes where you can get full access to all their amenities for a day – including hot tub, pool, sauna, steam rooms, yoga classes and more. Many area YMCA’s offer day passes that include all their amenities as well.
Another thing I often suggest to moms is getting a Classpass membership, which start as low as $18. A little known fact is that you can save up and use your monthly credits for massages, facials, infrared sauna visits and more!
And of course if you can’t make it to a spa, you can always create a DIY spa day at home with some candles, relaxing music, a bubble bath, and a face mask. Shut the door to your room and tell your family you’re unavailable for a few hours. You deserve it!
4. Read a book or listen to a podcast.
This is a quick and easy one that you can fit in pretty much anywhere, regardless of your budget. I love listening to empowering, inspirational podcasts while I do school drop offs, run errands around town, or take a walk to get some fresh air.
You can find a podcast on pretty much any topic depending on your interests. Of course you can always try my show The Joy Rally Podcast.
Some of my other current favorites are Manifest by Cathy Heller for mindset, The Marie Forleo Podcast for business and general life motivation, and Good Inside for parenting encouragement.
If you love to read, then make it a priority as a form of self care! Try leaving your phone in another room when you head to the bedroom at night and crack open a book inside. Join or start a book club online or with a friend. Get a babysitter for 2 hours to go sit at a coffee shop and dive into a new book you’re excited about.
A few of my favorites lately? Radically Content by Jamie Varon for self help, and The Paris Apartment or The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo for fiction.
5. Take a night away.
This is my personal FAVORITE self care ideas for moms – even though it only happens once or twice a year. File this one under self care gift ideas for moms.
In place of a birthday, Mother’s Day or Christmas gift, sometimes I’ll just straight up ask for a night away at a hotel. It doesn’t have to be far and the hotel doesn’t have to be fancy. But a full 12-24 hours without having to cook, clean or wake up early can do wonders for us as a mom.
I recently had the chance to do this during the week of Mother’s Day and it was incredible. I sat by the outdoor pool, ordered takeout in my bathrobe and watched Bravo until my eyelids got heavy. The next morning I slept until 9 am and it was glorious. Couldn’t have asked for a better gift.
Pro-tip: Hotels are always less expensive during the week if you can swing it. Try to choose ones with amenities like an indoor pool or free breakfast to make it feel like a real experience. Have you ever tried taking a solo night away?
6. Reconnect with a friend.
There’s something about talking with a friend that just helps us to feel better. Maybe you haven’t connecting with an old friend in awhile. Why not text her and set a date to get on the phone and share coffee or a glass of wine from afar?
Met another mom that you’d like to get to know better? Don’t be afraid to invite her to lunch or over for a playdate so you can get to know each other better.
And by far my favorite way to get a little self-care in is by having a full-fledged girls night. Whether that’s going out for brunch on a Saturday or inviting a group of ladies over for a movie night after the kids go to bed, the camaraderie of spending time around other women can help you feel refreshed and inspired. There’s no doubt that adult friendships can be difficult, but finding and investing in quality ones is so worth the effort!
7. Get into journaling.
Being a mom is ALOT. There’s no way around that. Beyond the initial difficulties and emotions of having a child, you’re also in charge of feeding them, clothing them, entertaining them and helping them to find their way through life. It’s a huge responsibility, even when you’re sharing it with a spouse.
Through every season of life, I’ve found journaling to be such an easy way to process the emotions I’m feeling. There’s just something about getting your feelings and thoughts out on paper through your hands that helps everything to feel a little more manageable and lighter.
If you don’t already have a journaling practice, I recommend trying it first thing in the morning or before going to bed at night. Even writing one page for 5 minutes can help you get clarity and perspective. Be sure to actually use a real pen and paper. I swear it makes a difference.
If you need a little guidance to get started with journaling check out this book: The Mindfulness Journal
8. Do something creative.
I believe that we were all created by the Creator to be creative! That doesn’t mean that we should all be artists or musicians. But having a creative outlet or a designated space and time to make something with our hands can help us to reconnect with ourselves and find a sense of joy and contentment.
What if once a week you picked a random time – Wednesday mornings at 9 am – to spend a few minutes doing something creative? That could look like writing a poem about the weather, coming up with a few new outfits from the clothes in your closet, or working on that sewing project you’ve been putting off forever while you watch TV.
These things may seem pointless or insignificant, but every time you prioritize creativity, you are bringing something to life – a reminder that there is life and potential inside of you!
Bottom line: Even when we’re not doing something particularly notable, creativity has the potential to make us feel happiness and confidence that lasts long after our designated creative time. If that isn’t the ultimate form of free self care, I don’t know what is!
(In need of a little creative inspiration? Be sure to check out this post!)
10. Explore therapy or coaching – even if you’re doing okay!
All of us moms need the opportunity to get our thoughts and feelings out of our heads and share them somewhere in an objective, non judgmental space. I’ve definitely had seasons in my life where counseling was 100% necessary and filled this hole in a major way.
If you’re dealing with emotions or feelings of overwhelm that are too much for you to handle alone, don’t be afraid to research getting help. If finances are an issue, there are so many counseling centers that can work with you on a sliding scale. Just check their website or call to ask.
I’ve also known friends who’ve also found help through online resources like Betterhelp and Talkspace. If you have a busy schedule or spend a lot of time on the go, this can be a great option.
If you’re wrestling with things like career or general life direction, sometimes a coach can be a great help too! Life coaches, creative coaches and even women’s pastors at your local church can be great resources for helping you to get perspective and support when you need it most.
10. Try something new.
Last but certainly not least, one of the best ways to make time for yourself is to try something new! Join a writing group at your local library. Visit a new coffee shop in a different neighborhood. Take a pilates class or hike a trail at your local park. Try pottery or painting or sign up for a mom’s group at your child’s school or a local church. If it intimidates you a little bit, try it anyway! You might find your new favorite hobby, a great way to relieve stress or make a new friend that you didn’t even know you needed.
Mom Self Care Quotes to Remember
The next time you’re feeling the mom guilt about spending time or money on yourself, here are a few great mom self care quotes to remember.
“As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.” — Maya Angelou
“If your compassion does not include yourself, it is incomplete.” – Jack Kornfield
“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.” — Anne Lamott
“I believe that the greatest gift you can give your family and the world is a healthy you.” – Joyce Meyer
“Self-compassion is simply giving the same kindness to ourselves that we would give to others.” – Christopher Germer
“The challenge is not to be perfect — it is to be whole.” – Jane Fonda
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” – Matthew 11:28-30
“Asking for what you need is one of the bravest things that you will ever do.” – Brene Brown, The Gifts of Imperfection
Conclusion
A lot of motherhood can be living in the mundane. But what we do with the free time we have can make SUCH a difference. That’s where these self care ideas for moms come in. Ask your spouse to watch the kids for the evening. Take a class while they’re at school. Book a babysitter once a month for an hour or two. Make a mom self care schedule so your family knows when you’ll be unavailable each month. Do whatever it takes to invest in yourself, because it will help you to be a better mom to your little people!