How To Implement Self-Care As A Mom

If you are a busy mom, you know how valuable your time is. There never seems to be enough of it to go around! When you think about your priorities each day and work on your to-do list, making time for self-care probably falls near the very bottom of your list. All below work, kids, home, family, pets, etc. depending on who you are and what your life looks like.

Keep in mind, though. If you do not take time for yourself, you are most definitely doing more harm than good. You might think that you are putting everyone else first and that’s what ‘needs’ to happen, but you’re wrong. Stress, exhaustion, burnout, illness (and more), can take more of a toll when you are not getting what you need. For example, if you are not prioritizing your health, then you could get sick more frequently...and then how will you take care of everything else then? This is just one out of many reasons why you need to implement self-care as a mom each and every day. It doesn’t matter whether you carve out a few minutes or an entire day - whatever you do is great, just make sure to focus on it! Here are a few ways to implement self-care:

Find Time With Friends

My first tip is to create time and space for friends - especially friends that are like-minded and/or in the same life phase as you. Being a mom (especially a new mom) can be stressful, overwhelming, and really tiring. Surrounding yourself around people that get it is really important. As they say, it takes a village, and in order to create that village (family aside), you have to invest time into building it up first. There are many ways to spend time with friends! Generally, I would suggest the normal like: go window shopping, walk with them, have lunch or dinner at a new restaurant (maybe when COVID calms down a bit), volunteer with them, join a book or moms club, or do something with the kids, or have a playdate and enjoy some wine while they play, go to the park and have a picnic, or send your kids to summer camp while you enjoy a day with your friends (of course, after COVID and once they are old enough!). But as I am extra cautious (and maybe you are too), you can set up Zoom, FaceTime, or Houseparty each other or if you want to physically meet -- go to a place that allows outdoor seating (for fresh air) and sit 6 ft part and chat. There are so many ways that you can increase the time with your friends while still being an active and involved mom.

Boost Your Brain Health

Brain health is extremely important as a mom - and for non-moms too. There are so many fun activities that you can do to boost your brain health each day. Write in your journal, sketch something or pick up a coloring book if you love to draw, meditate, do yoga, read a good book, do a crossword puzzle, or find other ways to lower your heart rate and rest your brain. Being a mom (a lot of the time) leads to a brain that is ALWAYS working. You are always trying to think of the next step and what needs to happen on the day of. This is great because you are planning in advance, but take time to calm your mind, as well.

Physical Health Is Important Too

In addition to boosting your brain health, focus on boosting your physical health, as well. Get your blood pumping and get outside. You could take a walk, stretch, do some yoga, kayak, paddleboard, ride a bike, go to a workout class, train for a 5k, or you could even do a ton of housework or garden work.

Have A Date Night

Last but not least, you could have a date night. I truly believe that even though being a mom should come as a huge first priority, your relationship with your significant other should be right up there with being a mom, as well - if not a little higher. Why do I think that? Because at the end of the day, you are walking through life with your partner and you need to have a solid foundation in order to work together as a team in harmony. That’s why prioritizing date nights can be so beneficial to yourself - for your relationship and for your mental health, as well. When you go on a date night, it’s important to have a babysitter that you trust so that you are not constantly worried while out and/or checking your cameras/monitors. Interview a few potential babysitters and then to really have a piece of mind, follow-up with references and also use an investigator to really dig deep into their background, as well. Cowan Investigations is a local NJ-based investigator that can help you with this! They are a NJ assets investigator, and they can also help in other situations such as when you need a background check, or when your friend needs help with a child custody case, or with a cheating spouse. Cowan Investigations, LLC. Is licensed, bonded, and fully insured to operate in the State of New Jersey. They say, “Background investigations are essential when it comes to any New Jersey investigation conducted in order to protect the health, welfare and rights of children. Whatever type of NJ private investigation you need, you’ll want an experienced background investigator in New Jersey on the case, as it is a crucial aspect of any private investigation.” Cowan Investigations was established in May of 2016 by Mr. Bob Cowan, after close to thirty-five years of service with the Jersey City Police Department. He takes each investigation seriously and works hard to make all of his clients completely satisfied! If you need to run a background check, call him for a free 30 minute consult! 

I hope in this time of quarantine and isolation, that you are still finding time for yourself! Let me know in the comments what you like to do for self-care!