Moms spend so much of their time caring for everyone else that it’s easy to forget they need care and support, too. Between work, parenting, schedules, household responsibilities, and the mental load of motherhood, even small moments of rest can feel hard to come by, especially during overwhelming or nonstop seasons of motherhood.
Self-care doesn’t have to mean expensive spa days or long weekends away. Sometimes it looks like drinking enough water, stepping outside for fresh air, saying no when you need to, or simply taking a quiet shower without interruptions.
These are some simple ways moms can support their mental health, rest, comfort, and overall well-being during busy seasons of motherhood.
Key Takeaways
- Small self-care habits can have a big impact on a mom’s mental and emotional well-being.
- Rest, hydration, movement, and personal time all play an important role in supporting overall health.
- Self-care does not have to be expensive or time-consuming to be meaningful.
- Creating supportive routines and boundaries can help reduce overwhelm during motherhood.
- Prioritizing your own needs is not selfish and helps you show up more fully for your family.
Related: Quick Self-Care Tips for Busy Moms
Simple Self-Care Ideas for Moms
Taking care of yourself looks different for every mom, but these simple habits can help make everyday life feel a little calmer, more manageable, and more restorative.
1. Water
Did you know that up to 60% of the adult human body is water?1 That’s a significant amount 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 space to remember to hydrate can be challenging, but important for your overall well-being. 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. Add lemon, fruit, or electrolytes if that helps you drink more consistently.
Staying hydrated can make a noticeable difference in your energy, focus, and overall well-being.
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 can be such a helpful mental reset. Reading gives your brain a chance to focus on something other than chores, schedules, and the nonstop mental load of motherhood.
Find ways to make this an achievable 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. Getting Outside for a Walk
Fresh air can do wonders when motherhood feels overstimulating or exhausting. 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. Grab the jogging stroller, strap your baby in, and hook your dog’s leash on. Or leave the kiddos with their dad for some much-needed alone time.
Even 10 quiet minutes outside can help reset your mind when motherhood feels nonstop. 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.
Related: Having a Workout Routine Makes Me a Better Mom
4. Taking Time for a Shower and Basic Hygiene
Taking a shower alone without interruptions is not selfish. It’s an important part of taking care of yourself. 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. Even a short break alone can feel restorative during overwhelming days. Light a candle, put on some music, and make your bath or shower a sensory activity. Soak in the warm water, take a few extra minutes for a face mask, and use the bath bomb you’ve been saving.
Related: The Importance of Me Time as a Mother
5. A Pleasant Sleeping Space
It is incredible what a neatly made bed will do for your mood. There’s something calming about climbing into clean, comfortable sheets at the end of a long day. Looking at an unmade bed in your home can be mentally chaotic and cluttering. Small routines like making the bed can help create a greater sense of calm when life feels especially busy.
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. You don’t need a special occasion to enjoy fresh flowers in your home. 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.
Related: Postpartum Self-Care Tips for New Moms
7. A Night Off From Cooking
Sometimes the best dinner is simply one you didn’t have to make yourself. Take a night off from cooking. Maybe your partner can step in and grill something for dinner for the family. You can also get takeout, order delivery, or use a food delivery app like Favor, Uber Eats, or Grubhub. Sometimes, self-care even looks like cereal for dinner. And that’s okay. And honestly, the kids 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 our own goals and dreams. 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.
Related: The Benefits of Journaling
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. Learning to Say 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 joyful. This can feel especially difficult for moms who are used to taking care of everyone else first. But once you master the art of kindly saying no, it’s a gift that keeps giving back.
Related: Why Moms Need to Learn to Say No
As mothers, it’s easy to put ourselves at the very bottom of the priority list. Between caring for our children, homes, work, relationships, and everything else life demands, self-care often feels like the first thing to disappear.
But taking care of yourself matters, too. Even small moments of rest, quiet, movement, or joy can make a meaningful difference in how you feel each day. We hope these simple habits help you slow down, recharge, and give yourself the same care you so freely give everyone else.
