Moms tend to ignore their own needs when trying to care for their kids and partners. As a result, their health and well-being can suffer. If this sounds like you, here are 10 ways you can up your self-care game.
1. Learn To Say “No”
Many moms don’t have the word “no” in their vocabularies, unless it’s in answer to the question, “Is anything wrong?”. This is the reason moms end up taking on more than they can handle in an effort to please everyone, often at their own expense. The first step in raising your self-care game, therefore, is to learn to say “No.” Whether it is baking an extra dozen cookies for the bake sale, agreeing to spearhead your kids’ school fundraising campaign, or you’re exhausted and your kids need a ride to a friend’s house, learning to say no helps you avoid stress and anxiety from an overburdened mind and schedule.
2. Schedule Self-Care Appointments
When you are booking eye appointments, physicals, or dental check-ups for the family, don’t forget to throw your name on the list as well. Considering you will likely be the one taking your family to the appointments anyway, it just makes sense to include yourself at the same time. Things such as missing your dental appointments cause your own health to suffer. In fact, missing dental checkups is sure to cause issues down the road. Keep your own health on track by making sure you are booking (and keeping) your own appointments, not just those for your family.
3. Pay Attention To Your Body
When you get busy it becomes far too easy to ignore the signals your body is sending you. Don’t ignore signs such as increased headaches, aches and pains, changes to weight or appetite, tooth or gum pain, and any other symptoms that could be telling you something is wrong. Seeking care when you aren’t well is one of the most important aspects of upping your self-care game.
4. Indulge In Me Time
It’s such a cliché, but so very important. Moms need me time. Whether it is going window shopping at your favourite stores, getting your hair and nails done, browsing in your favourite bookstore, creating a painting or craft project, or simply going for a walk or drive, you need space and time to be on your own. Insist on quiet time at least once a week to gain control of your thoughts, master your stress, and find time to just breathe.
5. Treat Yourself To Something Special
Don’t hold your breath waiting for someone to buy that special something you’ve been eyeing for a while. You work hard and deserve to treat yourself to something special. It doesn’t have to be a high-ticket item. It can be a stack of your favourite magazines, a nice bottle of wine, a cupcake, or a spa day – the point is, you deserve a treat and should find little things to bring you joy more often.
6. Learn The Tricks Of Self-Care
Self-care needs can vary from mom to mom. While one mom might love getting her nails done, another might want to focus on getting fit. Self-care is looking after your physical, spiritual, and mental needs, and you have to find what fills you up or recharges you in all three of these areas. Some ideas might include:
- Speaking up more for yourself to express your feelings, concerns, or frustrations
- Asking for more help around the house
- Finding a space at home that’s just for you
- Scheduling time for physical activity and mental health exercises such as yoga or meditation
- Writing in a journal or painting to express yourself
- Attending religious services
- Finding time to spend with loved ones outside your household
You might find some of your ideas are very effective, while others don’t work as well as you had hoped. Constantly finding new ways to nurture your own health and wellness can really up your self-care game.
7. Enlist Help
Doing it all yourself just isn’t possible. Asking for help is the best way to make it clear you aren’t super-human. But another way to look at it is that by having your children and partner help, you create a stronger sense of community within the household. You teach your kids the importance of responsibility by introducing age-appropriate chores that help them learn self-reliance.
8. Create A More Pleasant Environment
Living in a home that is in a constant state of mess is often an offshoot of being too busy. However, it also contributes to stress and anxiety. This interferes with your sense of well-being, causing everything from difficulty concentrating, to feelings of guilt for allowing the clutter to get out of control. Decluttering can help create a sense of calm in the home, which helps reduce stress – an important part of your self-care efforts. But don’t take on the task alone; enlist the help of your family. They will soon realize that everyone benefits from a more tidy space.
9. Keep Learning
Life is all about new experiences and enjoying the activities that make you happy. Find time to keep learning, whether it is to refine existing skills, or to attempt something new. This can include:
- Learning a language
- Picking up that guitar you’ve always to learn, or sitting down at the piano to play a tune
- Joining a sports team
- Signing up for a cooking class
- Attending healthy eating courses
- Working with a life coach
- Learning how to meditate
- Taking swimming lessons
It doesn’t matter what you choose, it just needs to be something that empowers you, helps you be a better person, or simply makes you happy.
10. Stay Committed
Don’t let your self-care fall by the wayside. It takes commitment to care for yourself. At the same time, don’t be too hard on yourself when your efforts lapse. Instead, just try to get back on track so you don’t fall back into old habits. Even if it means scheduling reminders on your phone to help you stay focused, the trick is to make time for you by doing the things that bring you joy and promote a sense of well-being.
Committing to these tips and developing your own health and wellness routine will really help you up your self-care game.
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