40 Easy Self-Care Ideas for Working Moms
These days it can seem quite impossible to find time for self-care as a working mom.
Before kids you were able to stop and watch your favorite movie, go out to dinner or simply visit your best friends. But now with kids, the ability to do that whenever you want has changed. You have to really plan out when and how you will be able to manage a little mom time amidst the everyday grind and hustle. Let’s focus on easy self-care ideas for working moms that can be added into your schedule.
Important to note – you will need to identify your support system as they will be the ones there to help you when you do need that time to yourself. Check out my blog post on why your support system is so important and how to identify those individuals.
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What is self-care for busy moms?
Self-care is doing something for YOU. There is this big misconception that self-care has to involve a whole day itinerary such as the spa or a family vacation. On the contrary, self-care is smaller than that, it’s the way you take care of your physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing so that you can show up for your family 100%.
Self-care is being mindful of your feelings so that you are well focused on your purpose, creating self-happiness and more energy into your day.
But what happens if you just don’t have time for self-care?
I know it may FEEL that way, but trust me, there IS time in the day. Self-care needs to become a priority. There are many ways to incorporate self-care into your day such as your car ride to work, 10 minutes before going to bed, while you are cooking dinner or early in the morning before the kids wake up. You will need to figure out what works best for your schedule and then add it at a time that you know you can do it.
Remember to hold yourself accountable to what you say you will do. You want to be the best mom possible, right? Then you NEED to start focusing on your own self-care and happiness.
The best self-care ideas for working moms.
Okay, so I have put together 40 ways you can add self-care into your daily busy lives. Look through the list and pick out 3-5 to start with. Intentionally place them in times that make the most sense, and that you could be most consistent.
Do them for at least two weeks before choosing to stop and then evaluate how you feel afterwards. I guarantee that you will notice the difference in your energy, positivity and ability to maneuver all your different mom responsibilities.
Top 40 Self-Care Ideas for Working Moms:
1. Wake up 15 minutes before the kids do
2. Create a gratitude journal that you write in every morning
3. Journal for 5-10 minutes
4. Listen to a self-development podcast on the way to work. Below are some of my current favorite podcasts that I listen to on the way to work.
The Goal Digger Podcast by Jenna Kutcher
Her Life By Design by Christina Galbato
The Course Creator by Gemma Bonha-Carter
5. Light stretching for 5-10 minutes
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6. Listen your favorite music playlist on the way home from work
7. Listen to your favorite music playlist on your way to work
8. Eat alone
9. Take an extra 10-minute shower
10. Yoga
Keep going, there are more self-care tips for working moms!
11. Drink a big glass of water
12. Drink coffee/ tea and read your favorite magazine
13. Read a chapter of a book. My current book of choice is How Are You Really? By Jenna Kutcher
14. Organize your side of the bathroom (the way you want) – this honestly can apply to anything of yours that you would like to organize
15. Nighttime facial– pick out your favorite skin care products
16. Soak in the tub
17. Paint your nails – go and get everything you need to do your own nails OR and if you have enough time, go get it done at a nail salon
18. Make YOUR favorite dinner
19. Buy YOUR favorite dinner
20. Go to sleep 15 minutes early
21. Watch your favorite show. I love Criminal Minds, Law and Order SUV, Atlanta (just to name some)
22. Watch your favorite movie (if extra time)
23. Do some writing of choice – I love doing some creative writing here and there
24. Walk outside for 10-15 minutes
25. Drive to work 10 minutes early & just sit in the car relaxing
26. Drink your vitamins
27. Meditate (Guided Abundance Meditation for Mothers | Allie Casazza – YouTube)
28. Call an old friend
29. Wash your hair/ hair treatment
30. Declutter an area you’ve been wanting to clear out
I still got more self-care tips for you! Keep reading.
31. Have a dance party (with a glass of wine?)
32. Eat your fave dessert
33. Go shopping (for yourself)
34. Do a puzzle
35. Make a vision board
36. No social media for 24 hours
37. Call out of work and do whatever you want
38. Take a nap
39. Bake your favorite goodies – here are some of my favorites to make:
- Peanut Butter Banana Baked Oatmeal Cups | Ambitious Kitchen
- Healthy Peanut Butter Cookies {Easy + Healthy} – Eating Bird Food
- 75 Delicious & Healthy Toddler Snack Ideas – ConservaMom (conservamome.com)
40. Dress up for no other reason than you want to
After creating a list of self-care ideas for working moms, make sure you get yourself an accountability partner.
When you are ready to start (like today!), it would be helpful to have an accountability partner that makes sure you ACTUALLY are taking care of yourself and incorporating these different routines into your day to day. My partner is my accountability partner – which helps him to also make sure he makes some him time too.
Check out the self-care challenge for all you moms:
Grab this 30-day self-care challenge. You can print it, post it on your refrigerator or your bathroom mirror (as a daily reminder). Take the time to show yourself some love and appreciation – it goes such a long way.
Remember, it will be important to make little adjustments to your day so you can incorporate some of these things into your daily routine. Do not let others define what self-care looks like for you – you need to define that for yourself.
Will you be giving this a try?
What are you already doing for self-care?
Let me know in the comments below!
Con amor, Nelly
