Self-Care Strategies Every Busy Mom Needs to Know and Do

INSIDE: COME SEE THESE SELF-CARE STRATEGIES EVERY BUSY MOM NEEDS TO KNOW AND DO WITHOUT FEELING GUILTY OR SELFISH!

With the holidays behind us, I was reminded how important it is to take care of ourselves. Let’s be honest, it’s not just around the holidays.

As busy people, taking care of homes, kids, marriages, and working, every day life can begin to overwhelm us…if we let it. And realistically, how many of you busy moms take time to provide self care?

So what are some important ‘self care’ things we can sneak into our busy lives that don’t fill up our already overflowing plates?

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1 – STOP TROLLING SOCIAL MEDIA BEFORE YOU GET OUT OF BED!!

It has become such an important part of daily lives we can’t even put our feet on the ground before we start looking at what other people did last night….but why???

The average person spends close to 3 hours on social media each day – that is Facebook, SnapChat, YouTube, and InstaGram. Imagine what you could do with 3 more hours in your day……I know I could think of MANY things that I could do with that time.

2 – STOP SAYING “YES” TO THINGS YOU DON’T LIKE

Why do we feel like we are obligated to participate in things that don’t make us happy? If it isn’t a requirement for work or school, only do it if it makes you happy.

Volunteering because you feel guilty? Going to church because it is what you are “supposed to do?” Why do these things if you don’t feel better after doing them?

ONLY do things that make YOU happy!!!!!! Self care for busy moms shouldn’t involve things that make you FEEL busier!

3 – DO THINGS JUST FOR YOU

Take a bath
Get a manicure or pedicure
Get a haircut
Read a book
Finish a project
Bake something you love
Cook a meal that reminds you of your childhood
Look at the stars
Start a bullet journal
Go see a movie

4 – CHANGE YOUR MINDSET

If you don’t like something, change it. Period! There is no other way to fix it. YOU don’t like what is happening in your life, YOU have the power to change it. ONLY YOU!

I have a tendency to get the “blues” at random times for no reason. It isn’t depression necessarily, because that’s a whole different ball game, but I have “tells” when I get in those BAD places.

I stop caring about my nails. Weird, I know….but the minute I realize I haven’t pushed my cuticles or I have a ton of pulled skin around my nails, I know I’m in trouble. I start biting my nails and it’s downhill from there.

I have to pull myself out of this – and usually I can – HOWEVER, if I don’t see my “tell” then chances are someone else has to point out my “lack of motivation.” And once they do….GAME ON! Everyone has to have this PERSON – your PERSON! Enter my wonderful husband, who has been tasked with this. Reluctantly he points these things out to me, however hard they are to say and however hard I cry. It is his job as my ROCK!

So learn to see your “tell” and figure out how to get it out of your way!

5 – TAKE TIME

I say “I don’t have time to do ….” all the time. But really, do I? Are there wasted minutes in my day? Of course there is. But if it doesn’t make me happy, why would I waste my time?

Having a clean house – makes me happy, so I have to find time to clean
Exercise – endorphins make me happy, so I should find the time
Crafting – makes me happy, so I DO find the time
Cooking – no happiness, but I have to do it sometimes…..so my trade is I make things that I know my family will enjoy and not complain too much about
Volunteering – at the local animal shelter has given me such happiness. I love helping and teaching my kids to help too!

6 – HAVE A HOBBY

It doesn’t have to be an expensive hobby, just have one! At least one.

Painting
Redoing furniture
Sewing
Make your own salves
Yoga
Photography
Kayaking
Playing an instrument
Bake and/or decorate cake/cookies
Write a blog
Hiking

There are many reasons for this –

It gives you an identity separate from your kids and/or spouse. It is NOT selfish. In fact, it is HEALTHY to recharge your batteries.
It teaches your kids to love something and stick to it.
It teaches patience. You love the end product, so you focus on getting it exactly how YOU want it.
It relieves stress from daily life. You don’t think about work, chores, or anything else that brings you down. You are only thinking about what you are doing right now.
IT MAKES YOU HAPPY!!!!!!!!!!!

See a common idea???? HAPPINESS!!!!! And hobbies don’t have to be done everyday, they can be done once a month……as long as you do it.

7 – TAKE CARE OF YOUR HEALTH

Get enough sleep – but not too much!
Eat a healthy diet – cut back on processed and fatty or fried foods, get rid of as much soda and alcohol as you CAN, and incorporate more fresh fruits and vegetables.
Exercise – I’m not talking about CrossFit for 4 hours; just take a walk or ride a bike. You will feel better….and YOU know it!
See your doctor at least once a year! AND your dentist twice a year. If you aren’t around to care for your family, what is any of this for?