10 Best Simple Self Care practices Under 20 mins for Stay-at-Home Moms

As as stay at home mama, there is so much to do in one day, that there is hardly any time to take care of ourselves. There are moments in the day where I could have taken 10 mins to focus on a little self-care, but ended up finishing the laundry instead just to get it out of the way and to feel like I accomplished something. I use to say, “Oh, I can take care of myself later, caring for the kids and the house is a priority”. And before I knew it, days have gone by since I cared for myself and the exhaustion and burnout has now creeped up. Making time for ourselves as mamas seems so selfish and takes up too much time because we are majorly depended upon and everything seems to have top priority. I began learning that selfcare can be apart of my daily tasks of taking care of my children. How?!? By adding at least one self care activity for 10-15 mins in my day as I’m caring for my children, especially during the moments of stress. I’ve noticed that it is a great practice not only for me, but for my children as well. When my children see me taking care of myself it is teaching them to put themselves first and prioritize selfcare as well. It honestly can be hard, but I found a few self care acts to incorporate in the day that has helped reduced the exhaustion and burnout and has now become a bit of a habit for me within my day.

What is Self Care?

Self-care is sometimes misunderstood as a luxury than a necessity. When we think of the word self-care we tend to think of it by going to a fancy spa or massage facility to relax. We also tend to think that its just not that important to worry about, especially when our day is consumed with caring for someone else. Self-care is just one fraction of the broader concept of self-love (source). Self-love includes, but is not limited to, recognizing your self-worth, being kind toward yourself, and fostering your self-growth throughout the course of your life (source).

Why does lack of Self Care happen?

There are common self care barriers that causes us to lack the ability to care for ourselves:

• Guilt
• Lack of time
• Unrealistic expectations
• Lack of awareness of your own needs
• Thinking self care takes up too much time

10 Best Tips to practice self care

Ready? Let’s dive right in!

Tip 1: Eat a Healthy Meal or Snack

There are many times that I would forget to eat or would have a loss of appetite due to being overwhelmed with my day as a busy stay at home mama. I knew I had to figure out a way to at least incorporate a snack in my day until dinner time. Here are a few tips on healthy snacks to have stored in the fridge or pantry to easily prepare and eat each week.

• Smoothie
• Pre-made Salad
• Fruit
• Veggies and hummus
• mixed nuts
• Yogurt with mixed berries and granola
• Dark chocolate and almonds
• Square cheese, your favorite deli meat, and crackers
• Granola bars

Tip 2: Take a Mini Break

Take a mini break for 10-15 mins from all the work you have to do around the house or with the kids and practice one or more of these exercises listed below. Mini Breaks are ideally quick, restorative and enjoyable. You can do these exercises with your little ones as well.

• Breathing exercises
• Power nap for 15 mins
• Shut off all the lights and cut on a night light projector w/stars. You can purchase one on Amazon or head to your nearest store to find a similar night light globe. Gaze at the bright lights and stars with your little one for quiet time.

Tip 3: Relaxation

• Take a relaxing Bubble Bath
• Dim the lights and listen to a meditation song
• Do a face mask
• Take 10-15 mins to do a skincare routine
• Drink a cup of tea

Tip 4: Practice Mindfulness

Practicing mindfulness is a way to be present in the moment and acknowledging what is happening such as being stressed, frustrated, or overwhelmed. Mindfulness is the basic human ability to be fully present, aware of where we are and what we’re doing, and not overly reactive or overwhelmed by what’s going on around us (source). Let’s face it, as a busy stay at home mamas, our days don’t necessarily go as planned and that can be a bit frustration. So the best way I can put it is learning to be mindful of what we can and can’t control can make the day a bit more smoother. Or instead of terrorizing our minds with our long lists of things to do for the day, focusing on promoting positivity in the moment. Here are a few mindfulness ideas to practice:

• Ask yourself, “How can I make this moment better?”
• Take a moment to just breathe
• Take a moment to focus on your senses. Slow down your movement and become aware of your bodily senses. Focus on the floor your walking on, or your body temperature, or the food your are eating, the things you see, the noises you are hearing in your environment, like the birds chirping outside your window or your children giggling and playing.
• Create a worry box and write all your worries down on a piece of paper and fold the paper up and put it in your worry box
• Write a gratitude list

Tip 5: Read an Affirmation

The use of positive affirmations are reported to decrease stress and advance in a form of support. Positive affirmations have been shown to reduce negative thoughts, as they allow you to become more aware of your thought pattern and feelings (source). When we incorporate positive affirmations in our daily life, it can improve our mood and overall physical and mental health (source). Take time to find a positive affirmation that suits you, read it, memorize it, and write it down. I like to write my positive affirmation on a post-it note and pin it on my wall in my closet so that I can see it everyday and repeat it. Give it a try! Here are a few examples:

• Everything is going to be ok
• One bad day does not make me a bad mom, it makes me human.
• I will let go of how I think today is supposed to go and accept how it imperfectly happens.
• Even though I feel overwhelmed I can still do this.
• I am stronger than what I think.
• I have everything I need within me to handle whatever motherhood tries to throw at me today.
• Selfcare is not selfish. It is a necessity so I can have the strength to take care of another.
• I am loved, I am appreciated, I am enough.

Tip 6: Journaling

Writing in a journal can be very therapeutic, especially in a stressful moment. Journaling can be a practical way to relieve your stress and aid in re-directing your attention on yourself and destress. In a stressful or overwhelming moment as a mama, there are so many emotions that can flood our minds and thoughts and can cause more stress. Taking the time to write down how your feeling in the moment helps you to release those flustering emotions and help you reflect on these thoughts you now have written down. As you reflect on your written thoughts at the end of your notes, write down your affirmation for the day to help remind you of the positive side of whatever is happening that is causing your stress. It can be as simple as reminding yourself “I can do this” or ” asking yourself how can I make this moment better?”, or ” It’s okay if my day is not working out as planned, I can follow my child’s lead on this one and try again tomorrow”.

Tip 7: Go for a Walk

Walking is a self care activity that helps to promote physical wellbeing. Walking is an opportunity for mindfulness; it allows us to simply exist in the present moment and enjoy the scenery. It can be a form of moving meditation and allow us to truly connect with ourselves and improve our mood for the better (source).

Tip 8: Read a Book

• Read a funny book or your favorite book
• Read a affirmation book
• Read a devotional book

Tip 9: Join a Moms Group

Join a moms support group, online or in person. As a mom of more than one child, or even a new mom, support from other moms can be an avenue of success for our motherhood journey. In a moms support group you gain positive encouragement and reassurance that your doing great as a mother. Getting support from other moms can help ease your frustrations and it just feels good to know that you are not alone. Not only are you getting support but you are building new friendships along the way. Maintaining social relationships is one important part of self-care and contributes to our well-being. Check to see if there are any mom support groups near your area or find one online for the support you need.

Tip 10: Sign up for an activity class

Sign up for a wellness course online or in person such as:

• Art class
• Fitness class( there are fitness for mom and baby as well)
• Baking class
• Knitting class
• Mindfulness class

Conclusion

Self care simply means to take time to do the little things that will help you manage your stress, increase your energy and live well. It can help you build relationships in the process, recover from any setbacks, and increase happiness. Practicing self care can better equip you to deal with whatever motherhood throws at you for the day.

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