A mum’s life can be quite stressful, to say the least, and our already lengthy to-do lists often don’t involve self-care. If they do, it’s a bare minimum. However, self-care isn’t a luxury – it’s a necessity. Read on to learn some of the best ways you can take care of yourself with these self-care tips for busy mums.
Make proper nutrition a priority
The stressful lifestyle of a modern mum has made it almost impossible for many of us to maintain a healthy weight and ensure our diet consists of nutritious, whole foods.
That being said, what you eat in a day will impact how you feel, how you think, and how you perform. Food is fuel to your body, and just like pumping bad fuel can damage your car, poor nutrition can wreak havoc on your metabolism.
To prevent this from happening, make proper nutrition a priority – avoid processed foods, stick with high-quality ingredients, and try to cook more at home instead of eating out. Remember that your approach to nutrition affects your children, so be sure to set a good example for them, so they adopt healthy eating habits from the start.
Take care of your appearance
As much as we hate to admit it, we all judge others by their appearance. Think about that person you met who had bad breath, dirty clothes, or greasy hair – the first impression they made probably wasn’t that good. Sorry this sounds so superficial but unfortunately it is the cold hard truth!
Personal appearance plays an important role in our lives, determining not just the way others see us but also the way we see ourselves. Taking care if your appearance goes way beyond just vanity. Taking care of your looks can greatly improve your confidence, mental health, social anxiety and ultimately is a loving form of self-care. Here are 65 self loving ways to take care of your appearance to inspire you. As with everything in life, the small things can make such a huge difference.
Prioritise physical activity
Exercising is a great way to ward off any negative feelings, combat stress, and boost your endorphins, but many mums simply can’t afford to hit the gym regularly or head for an hour run too frequently. However, physical activity is crucial, especially for busy mums who rarely spend time outside or work from home.
Incorporating some form of exercise into your tight schedule is necessary for shaking up your routine, be it outdoor yoga, a 5k race, jogging, or doing HIIT at-home workouts when the temperatures drop. You can also do something fun with your kids so you all get your daily dose of endorphins – take them roller skating, kick a ball together, or throw an exciting dance party and sweat it out. Your body will thank you!
Don’t skimp on sleep
For most mums, getting enough sleep each night seems like a luxury they can’t really afford once they have kids. What’s more, some mums prefer to do their tasks while the children are still lying in their beds. However, depriving yourself of sleep is in no way healthy for you. In fact, studies suggest a link between chronic lack of sleep and depression, weight gain, and a higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
To establish a normal sleeping pattern, you’ll need to ditch the consumption of stimulants, food, and alcohol late at night. Also, avoid scrolling through your feed or watching TV an hour before going to bed, and make sure you get at least seven hours of sleep.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help
The last of our self-care tips for busy mums is about not feeling like you have to do it all yourself. Cook, clean, take care of the kids, do the laundry, find the time to play with them and teach them, make sure they do their homework… Add that to the fact that many mums also have full-time jobs, and you’ve got a recipe for stress and anxiety.
The truth is, there’s nothing wrong about asking for help. In fact, sometimes it’s one of the best things you can do for your family and your mental well-being. Pick up that phone, and ask a family member or a friend to babysit for you. Even if it’s just once a week, you’ll give yourself enough time to finish up your other duties and perhaps squeeze in some time for your hubby as well.
If you often find yourself feeling overwhelmed by the number of things on your to-do list, take a step back. Reflect. Relax. And then do something for yourself. Make YOU and YOUR health a priority and take the necessary steps to ensure you take care of YOURSELF first. That’s the only way to be a good mum and set a positive example for your children.
We hope you found these self-care tips for busy mums useful and don’t forget as they say in the airplane safety talks – be sure to put your own oxygen mask on before putting on your children’s!
Love photo, Food photo created by master1305, People photo created by jcomp
Love these, I so agree with appearance. It may sound vain and superficial but it helps me look and feel my best. I love having some me time to clear my head and paint my nails in the evening, or if I’m really pushing the boat out get them done somewhere locally.
Great giveaway and the special towel would be my choice
Oh I love the towel set. There is nothing better than beautiful soft new towels. I always have a pamper evening once a week. That includes a face pack, wax my eyebrows, shower with a hair treatment, its the night of fresh bedding too. So sometime on washing and drying my hair and then slipping under the covers for zzzzzzzz
Great advice. I’m definitely going to try and get more sleep and have a pamper evening more often.
I think Facebook groups are fab, I’ve joined one and Mums of all types, and all ages (with kids from 0 to 100!) can find friends digital and real!
It really is so important to look after yourself as a mum!
It’s definitely important to remember self care!
Really great article for mums who believe they have to sacrifice everything to be a good mum. Took me 3 years into motherhood to realise that I need to focus on my needs too sometimes.
I will try some of these! got to take care of yourself
I like the self love gift set and for me a bath makes me feel so much better x
This would be amazing to try out especially the Himalayan Salt Lamp as would definitely with my my allergies and asthma:)
sleep is my problem as soon as I try to sleep my mind starts racing
Loving these ideas ❤ As a full-time employee and full-time single parent, it’s difficult to find any relax time for me, but I’m going to start x
I try to schedule exercise (running or yoga) and treat it like an appointment. It makes me prioritise it 🙂
I’ve been “Into” self care for a while now. We need to pamper ourselves on a regular basis
I love the sound of the Himalayan Salt Lamp – reducing respiratory irritation and aiding sleep would be wonderful.
Sorry forgot to add that I fit in self care by using the odd spare minutes that crop up during the day. Doing relaxing breathing exercises if waiting for someone to answer the phone or come back with an answer, doing squats while waiting for the kettle to boil etc. Every little helps!
I think that it is so important to get a good night’s sleep and to exercise in the day too.
Really good article, I think it’s really hard to get help if you have moved away from your family and vice versa, and especially so if you are a single parent.
I get up an hour before the kids need to get up for school so i can have some quiet time and some me time
I try to get in bed with the kids as often as I can to get a good rest and so would love a matching PJ set
Exercise and sleep are 2 things I just don’t get enough of, I know they are both essential for a healthy mind but when you have a child with special needs and sleep apnea it’s not always possible. I have taken to just walking round our garden whenever I can, my mobility isn’t that great so this is manageable for me. Basically I get sleep when I can though most of the time I feel tired so I don’t think there will ever be a solution for this issue for me personally.
I try and soak in a salt bath at least twice a week to destress, which can be difficult whilst workng full time with 3 kiddies! But taking care of your self is so important! I’d love to try A ClevaMama’s ClevaPure™ Authentic Himalayan Salt Lamp … I do struggle sleeping xx
I like to have my moments to listen to music by myself. I also feel better after a good walk.
I think exercise plays a big part in your self worth and I encourage family walks, to get exercise together and spend time with family too
For me its to maintain appearance its hard with depression and anxiety to get the motivation to do these things .