With self-care making a comeback and more people recognizing the importance of “me time” and mental health, people are speaking up and making themselves a priority again. Moms need to do the same. If you’re looking for some items to help you put yourself back on your to-do list, look no further! We’re sharing our self-care essentials for moms that we love and recommend.
10 Self-Care Essentials for Moms
1. Water
Did you know up to 60% of the adult human body is water?1 That is A LOT of water! You’ll be amazed at how good you feel if you commit to drinking about 11.5 cups of water a day.2 As a mom, finding the time and brain width to remember to hydrate can be challenging, but it’s necessary for your self-care. Do what you need to do to get yourself there. Filter it or make it sparkly! Put a gallon of water on your counter in the morning and see how far you get through it. Buy a cute water bottle! Drink through a straw. Squeeze some lemon in that water! You’ll feel and look your best, we promise.
2. Reading Material
It’s amazing what a little bit of quiet time and reading can do for you! Whether you pick up a magazine, a novel, or the trendiest non-fiction, focusing on something other than your thoughts is a self-care essential. Lose yourself in a character’s drama, or read a new recipe to remind yourself that your brain can think about something other than dirty diapers or whether you need to empty the dishwasher. Find ways to make this an achievable self-care goal: subscribe to your favorite magazine, invest in a portable e-reader, or subscribe to audible.com to listen to books in the car or on headphones while doing chores.
3. A Walk
Get outside! Remember when you had a little newborn, and when they were fussy, you walked outside and, suddenly, they would calm down? You work like that, too. Strap on your baby, grab the jogging stroller, and hook on your dog’s leash. Or leave the kiddos with their dad for some much-needed alone time. But get yourself outside at least once a day for some self-care. The fresh air + endorphins from the exercise will do wonders for your mental health.3 Ready to step it up a notch? Take a walk with a friend, or put on headphones and call a buddy while walking.
4. Time Spent in a Shower (And Hygiene!)
Taking a shower (alone) is not selfish! It’s a self-care essential and necessity! It’s okay to put your baby down or hand them off to your partner in the evening so you can take 30 minutes for yourself. Light a candle, put on some music, and make your bath or shower a sensory activity. Soak in the feeling of the warm water, take that extra few minutes to do a face mask, and use the bath bomb you’ve been saving up.
5. A Pleasant Sleeping Space
It is incredible what a neatly-made bed will do for your mood. It is simply the best to get into crisp sheets at night. And it affects your mood throughout the day. Looking at an unmade bed in your home can be mentally chaotic and cluttering. Additionally, work to keep your bedside tables tidy. Keep only what you need on them: a lamp, a small clock, the book you’re reading, and maybe a candle or framed family photo. Keep the rest of the clutter tucked away. Make your bedroom a sanctuary with textiles, fluffy pillows, and serene art. Try to put your phone away 30 minutes before bed too, and invest in smart lightbulbs that you can dim and make warmer (more conducive to sleepiness!).4
6. Fresh Flowers
Freshly cut and arranged flowers can brighten up any room and any mood. Flowers don’t need to be just for special occasions. Whether you ask your spouse for some fresh flowers once a month or get a flower subscription to lift your mood, that special delivery will bring a smile to your face and a new fragrance to your home. You can also plant a garden in your yard and create custom arrangements. Or stop by the flower section at your local grocery store and grab a small bouquet. Place that arrangement somewhere you can frequently see, smell and enjoy in your home.
7. A Night Off From Cooking
What’s the best thing to have for dinner? Anything you don’t have to cook! Am I right? Take a night off from cooking. Maybe your partner can step in and grill something for dinner for the family. You can also get take-out, order delivery, or use a food delivery app: Favor, Uber Eats, Grubhub, etc. Sometimes, self-care even looks like cereal for dinner. And that’s okay. The kids will survive (they may even enjoy it), and having a break from cooking is well deserved.
8. Space to Journal
Moms experience so much throughout the day. We witness big and small moments and tackle never-ending to-do lists, but we also have goals and dreams of our own. Whether you journal in your planner or write about your day in a traditional journal, having somewhere to write and express yourself is good for your mind and soul. It’s a place to share what you experience, feel your emotions, process your thoughts, and express gratitude. We have so much to be thankful for as mothers. Having a journal can help us document and memorialize it all.
9. An Outfit That Makes You Feel Great
You don’t need a reason to dress up those yoga pants! Nor do you need a reason to wear real pants! You can (and should) dress for yourself. That might mean adding an easy accessory to spice up your athleisure wear, investing in a colorful pair of cute sneakers for a gray day, or getting yourself a diaper bag that’s more about you than the diapers.
10. The Word “No.”
One of the best things we can ever do for ourselves is learn how to say no to what’s not working or what’s not best for us. This is a self-care necessity for everyone, but especially for moms. Learn how to turn down invitations nicely and say, “Thank you so much for thinking of me, but I’m going to lay low tonight.” Say no to relationships that aren’t supportive or a source of joy. This is something that takes practice. But once you master the art of kindly saying no, it’s a gift that keeps giving back.
As mothers, we are usually the last ones on our priority list. There is so much to do . . . for the house, our jobs, our partners and pets, and especially our children. It can leave us with little to no time for ourselves. But moms matter! That’s why it’s essential to prioritize your self-care. We hope these tips work for you and help you unwind and check in with yourself. You know you deserve it!
