Self-Care Strategies for Busy Moms

Busy moms have a ton of things on their plate. On the one hand, there is the responsibility of being a mother. It is a full-time job, and do not let anyone tell you otherwise. On the other hand, there are the day-to-day responsibilities of a job. Given that society still casts women in the caregiving role, add in other family and household responsibilities as well. It is little surprise, then, that more than 90% of working mothers report experiencing burnout.

In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, it becomes very evident that many of the busy moms out there neglect self-care. If you are among these busy moms, remember that self-care is one of those things that will enable you to feel empowered in your motherhood and life in general. So, we shall discuss ten practical self-care strategies that you can integrate into your daily life.

10 Self-Care Strategies for Busy Moms

1. Begin Your Day with Mindfulness

Mindfulness is a practice wherein you focus on being aware of what you are sensing and feeling in a given moment. It sounds pretty simple, but when you think about it, most of your time is spent on thinking, problem-solving, planning, and so on. These things can let negativity get in your mind and linger there.

Mindfulness allows you to enjoy the present by focusing on the world around you. It lowers stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. By using practices like mindfulness meditation, you can experience cognitive improvements and kick-start your day in the right way.

2. Daily Journaling for Emotional Wellness

Journaling is often considered to be literary. While that may be the case, it is also a powerful tool for clearing your mind and eliminating negative thoughts. Every day, spend five to ten minutes journaling. Use journaling to get rid of negative things that are on your mind. If practiced consistently, you will soon begin to see a positive shift.

In fact, you can even maintain a gratitude journal. Every day in the morning, write five things you are grateful for in life. This will enable you to focus on the good things in life and get into a positive frame of mind.

3. Create Empowering Morning Rituals

Empowering morning rituals are not simply empowering; they allow you to begin your day with positivity. For instance, positive self-talk is empowering. Every day in the morning, repeat to yourself, “I am an amazing mother, and I am the best at everything I do.” Or something similar. Repeat this to yourself every day for five minutes. Be loud if you want.

4. Step Outside: Go for a Walk

Once you have begun your day, remember to take breaks during the day. Switching off is very crucial. It does not have to be anything long and elaborate. It can be as simple as a brisk walk, a jog, or even a run. Stepping out and breathing in fresh air can allow you to relax. Besides, as it is a physical activity, it will boost your energy and keep you healthy.

5. Relax with Gentle Yoga

Yoga is an ancient practice that seeks to combine the benefits of physical and mental well-being. It consists of physical postures, breathing exercises, and meditation. Engaging in gentle yoga practices every day allows you to relax. Just a few minutes of yoga every day will enhance health, sleep, and well-being.

6. Listen to a Podcast

Podcasts are all the craze. You do not have to devote a lot of time to them; you can simply listen/watch them on the go. Pick a topic that you like and listen to it. For instance, listening to podcasts on working moms and wellness can increase awareness of what busy moms go through and what you can do to improve your well-being.

7. Stay Connected: Call Your Best Friend

It is common to lose yourself between motherhood, job, and other responsibilities. So, as a busy mom, you must ensure you stay connected. Otherwise, it can become isolating. Remember to have a life outside of these things. Pick up the phone, call your best friend, and plan an outing when you can. Or even if you just want to vent, do it. It will allow you to offload a lot of things on your mind to a listening ear.

8. Nurture Passions and Hobbies You Love

Remember, we told you to have a life outside of motherhood, a job, and other responsibilities. Yes, in the same vein, we urge you to focus on the real you. This includes keeping in touch with your passions or hobbies. Make time for them. For instance, if you like to dance, enroll in a weekly dance class.

Nurturing passions and hobbies will not only help you become happier, but it will also allow you to connect with like-minded people.  

9. Fuel Your Body with Healthy Foods

Self-care is not complete without healthy eating. A balanced diet is highly essential for health and well-being. It boosts your energy and can even lower feelings of anxiety and depression. Focus on including fruits, vegetables, fat-free, and lean protein in your diet. At the same time, cut down on junk food.

Do not forget to stay hydrated at all times. Carry a water bottle with you. Not only does it store water, it will also serve as a reminder to drink regularly.

10. Prioritize Restful Sleep

Last but not least, a busy mom needs a good night’s sleep every day. Ensure you get seven to nine hours of sleep every day. If sleep is difficult to come by, you can engage in deep breathing exercises right before you go to sleep.

However, sleep can often get disrupted when you are a mom. So, you can try to maximize your sleep by relying on your partner and family for child care.

Final Reflections

When you are a busy mom, you can often find yourself tired and overwhelmed. So, taking care of yourself is crucial. Self-care strategies are crucial to your health and well-being. Yet, they often get overlooked in the context of family, jobs, and other things. So, set aside some time for yourself, eat well, exercise, get rest, and stay connected with yourself and others.

Self-care may seem difficult in the beginning. However, baby steps. Baby steps are very important. With time and practice, self-care will become integrated into your daily life. And you will become a healthier you.