As a parent, it is highly likely that your needs often fall to the very bottom of your to-do list. After all, between caring for your little one(s), completing chores, and work, it often feels as though there’s not enough time in the day to dedicate to yourself. As such, it is hardly surprising that 62% of moms say they have less than an hour to themselves each day!
However, this is not something that you should treat as a side-effect of parenting. Your needs deserve to be met, and the less you show up for yourself, the harder it will become to show up for others! In short, you need to start spending time on self-care, no matter how much the little voice in your head tells you that you are wrong for doing so!
With that in mind, here’s a simple self-care guide for busy moms!
SET YOUR ALARM 10 MINUTES EARLIER. Now, we know what you’re thinking – the last thing you want to do right now is sacrifice your sleep. However, getting up a little earlier means that you have more ‘me’ time, whether you use this to practice meditation, journal, or simply gather your thoughts. As such, this can make a real difference to your mood and mindset moving forward!
TAKE CARE OF YOUR BODY. Motherhood takes its toll on your body in more ways than one, which means that you must take good care of it in order to feel like the best version of yourself. For example, this could mean that you meet with a local Chiropractor to address aches, pains, and discomfort or that you start introducing exercise into your routine.
DEVELOP A SIMPLE SKINCARE ROUTINE. A morning and evening skincare routine can make a positive difference to both your overall appearance and your confidence levels. However, despite what beauty influencers try to tell you, you don’t need to use 15+ products in order to see a real, tangible difference or restore your natural, youthful glow. It’s often best to keep things simple! Instead, create a basic routine that addresses any specific skincare complaints you need, and ensure that it can be completed in just a few minutes if necessary.
ASK FOR HELP WHEN YOU NEED IT. There are many reasons why you may be reluctant to ask for help as a parent. For example, you may be dealing with mom guilt, meaning you’re unlikely to ask for help as you feel you’ll be judged or looked down upon. Alternatively, you may be trying to put on a brave face for those around you. However, there’s no shame in asking for help when you need it. Think of it this way: if your partner, friend, or loved one desperately needed help, you’d want them to seek it out – so do the same for yourself. Whether you simply need a shoulder to cry on (or rant to) or just need a little time alone and need someone to watch your child, those around you will be more than willing to extend a helping hand.