10 Self-Care Practices for Moms and Busy Women

Motherhood and womanhood are often conflated; mothers and women often struggle to find time for self-care. Whether you are juggling between your careers, your chores, and children, families, and personal aspirations, it's easy for busy women and mums to put self-care on the back burner. Whether you a mum, a working mother, or a woman, self-care is as is important as your child, your career and your aspirations.

But it is crucial to remember that self-care doesn't always require hours of uninterrupted solitude. Here are some practical self-care practices tailored to fit into the busy lifestyles of moms and women with packed schedules leading to improved mental, emotional, and physical health.

Self-Care Practices for Moms and Busy Women

• Make your personalized self-care list of activities: This is a list of things that you can do for self-care that make you feel good. It should be different activities that you can do quickly and it will give you immense pleasure and satisfaction. Your list might include very different items, such as a long bubble bath, doing a 30-minute workout dancing, or baking, painting nails etc.

MOMS TIP - Make it in your notes on your phone, or paste it somewhere on the fridge or any cabinet. Look at it every day and do one of them. Whatever suits your time, and mood. Just do it for yourself. 

•  Start your day earlier: Waking up a little earlier to give yourself this time can make a big difference in your day. Start your day with a few minutes of mindfulness. Whether deep breathing, meditation, or simply savouring your morning coffee in quiet, this mindful start can set a positive tone for the day.

MOMS TIP - Wake up only 10 minutes earlier than your daily waking time. You don't have to set a 5 A.M schedule followed by a 30-minute workout. Start doing small and make a habit first.

• Set your ME- TIME on your calendar:  Whether it’s a yoga class, a relaxing bubble bath with that book you’ve been meaning to start, or a 10-minute walk in the sunshine, make it a non-negotiable part of your schedule. Mark it on your calendar. It is your ME-TIME when nobody can disturb you, not even your phone, or your kids if you are a mother.

MOMS TIP -  Acknowledge your needs and find what gives you joy: Try something you have never tried before. Whether it be volunteering at an NGO,  going out to watch a play or watching a TED talk show for your personal growth.

•  Simplify Your Schedule: Look for ways to reduce unnecessary commitments, and prioritise the activities that bring you the most joy and fulfilment. If you don't want to go to a party, it is fine to say no. Or if you have to delegate some work to others, kindly do that and indulge those saved minutes for yourself, even if it is to sleep for an extra 15 minutes.

MOMS TIP - Try to say no to people more often. Delegate your work at the office as well as at home. Set your boundaries with some unnecessary tasks you have been doing your life, and you don't want to do it anymore for somebody else. 

• Create or boost meaningful and supportive relationships: Being perpetually busy can cause us to forget how important it is to foster meaningful relationships. Take time out to start a conversation with someone you lost contact with. Or go out and meet new people. You will feel the difference. 

MOMS TIP- Join a group or community that conducts group exercise classes, a spa day with friends, or a book club meeting. It doesn't have to be everybody, Doing it on weekends is enough.

• Smile more, Laugh more and please Let go of guilt.:- You will probably find yourself feeling guilty for putting yourself and your needs first. Think of self-care as a necessity, rather than an option. It should be part of your day-to-day activities for all 365 days. Think of it as an investment in your health, rather than as a waste of time. If you are not happy, your family will not be happy, your happiness will improve your productivity at work as well as affect your children's mental health too.

MOMS TIP - Stop regretting things, laugh more every day, and enjoy whatever you like without fearing you are being judged by someone.

• Utilize Micro-Moments and Opt for micro-tasks: Grab those small pockets of time throughout the day for self-care. Whether it's a short walk during lunch, a bit of stretching while waiting for the kettle to boil, or a quick journaling session, these micro-moments really add up.  Do what you enjoy in the time you have available. Just make sure not to put off important tasks solely for self-care. It won't bring satisfaction later on, only regret for missing deadlines or neglecting important tasks.

MOMS TIP - You don't have to write pages every day. Just a one-liner of gratitude for the day can be enough. Self-care doesn't need to be extravagant. Choose a YouTube video to stretch, or exercise for a start. 

• Socialize more with like-minded people:
  Make it a priority to spend time with friends and family members who uplift you. Even a simple phone call can do wonders for your mood. However, ensure that you surround yourself with individuals who share your mindset and value self-care, rather than those who only want to engage in gossip about their workplace, boss, in-laws, or children. Your self-care time should not involve negativity or things you dislike. Use your time wisely to engage in activities you love and that genuinely contribute to improving your mental health.

• Try to plan your day or a week: 
  Planning can save you a lot of time. Whether you're expecting guests at home or have a major task at the office, organizing your entire day or week in advance can be incredibly helpful. Prepare a meal plan for the week to ease the burden of deciding what to cook for your kids or yourself. Utilize your lunch break for a quick walk, and consider delegating tasks to your family members or partner, such as picking up your kids.

MOMS TIP - Streamline meal preparation with batch cooking and planning. Spend a dedicated time each week to prepare and freeze meals. This not only saves time but ensures healthier options are readily available.

• Use social media wisely: Allocate specific times in the day for a digital detox to keep a check on your addiction to social media. Unhealthy use of social media can be harmful to our mental well-being and can even lead to social media burnout. So, try to improve your relationship with social media and try fostering some healthy habits and using it as a tool wisely.  
  

MOMS TIP- Disconnect from screens and engage in activities that allow you to be present in the moment, whether it's playing with your children, reading a physical book, or enjoying nature.

Self-care is not a luxury, but a vital component of maintaining mental, emotional, and physical well-being, especially for moms and busy women. These practical self-care practices can be integrated seamlessly into your busy lifestyle, ensuring you have the energy and resilience to tackle everyday challenges. 

LOVE AND SUPPORT ALWAYS...!!