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AUGUST 2023

Self-care tips for moms

Parenting is hard work. And life can be even more hectic if you balance a career outside the home. With so much time devoted to your family and career, finding time for self-care is probably the first thing left out of a busy schedule. But the fact is, self-care is essential because of the important role you play in your family. Like all caregivers, you need to focus on your own well-being to stay resilient, engaged and refreshed. And it’s not just for yourself, it’s for the benefit of your family. If you’re tired, stressed-out and crabby, you simply can’t be as loving and effective a parent as you can when you take time for self-care.

So, what is self-care? It’s the practice of caring for your own health, well-being and happiness. Making time for yourself may feel indulgent, but that’s far from the truth. Even small acts of self-care or self-kindness can go a long way in decreasing feelings of exhaustion, burnout, stress and even depression that busy mothers often feel.

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Make self-care a part of your routine

Start by following these four simple tips:

Delegate and ask for help.

It’s hard to admit you may need help or can’t accomplish everything on your own. Some say it takes a village to care for a family, and they’re not wrong. Find your village and ask for help. Accept help when offered. And understand that things won’t be done exactly the way you do them — and that’s OK. Is perfection more important than your well-being? Of course not! Take the extra time to focus on yourself. You deserve it. And don’t be afraid to say no to commitments that don’t interest you or that you don’t have time for.

Stay organized.

Hang a planner, calendar or list of upcoming appointments and tasks in the kitchen and encourage everyone in the family to use it. Remind them that when responsibilities are shared, everyone’s load is lighter. By doing this, you can avoid stress from the unexpected, such as the school project your child needs help to complete the night before it’s due. Prioritize tasks to avoid becoming overwhelmed. Start by completing the most time-consuming or least interesting tasks to get them out of the way first.

Focus on basic, healthy lifestyle habits. 

Although, it may not always be possible, aim for seven to eight hours of sleep each night. Try for some daily physical activity each day, aiming for 30-minutes a day. Eat a healthy diet of lean meats, low-fat dairy, fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Avoid sugary drinks, alcohol and high-fat foods. Drink six to eight cups of water daily.

Add “me time” to your schedule.

For example, schedule a fitness class, lunch with a friend or coffee with a good book. Once the date is scheduled, try your best to keep it just as you would any other appointment.

The most important components of self-care are to be realistic and purposeful. If your schedule is hectic and chaotic, it may not be realistic to expect hours a week to focus on self-care activities. So start small with attainable expectations. For example, take 10 minutes a day to focus on you. Whether it’s enjoying a quiet moment reading a book, or having a relaxing cup of tea, it may be all you need to reset and return to your schedule.

A mom’s health and well-being affect the entire family. By incorporating self-care into your regular routine, you’ll become an even more amazing caregiver. You’ve got this, mom!

Source: Mayo Clinic Health System. Self-care tips for moms.