Introduction

Are you a busy mom looking for practical self-care ideas? Self-care is a popular topic. But just because it’s a trend doesn’t mean that it isn’t also a very useful thing to do and that it’s not important to your well-being.

So take care of yourself. It means taking a moment to tell yourself you’re doing fine, to enjoy yourself, to take care of yourself, and to eat well. With these simple habits, you’ll feel and look better as you go through life.

And don’t forget to have some fun along the way. Even though it seems simple, many people still don’t do it. So keep reading to discover 30 simple self-care ideas for busy moms.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links including Amazon Associates affiliate links. This means if you make a purchase after following one of these links I may get a small commission.  There’s no extra cost to you.

Tip: Try one each day for 30 days or try a new one every day for 30 days!

1. Meditate

Meditation is a practice that involves putting your mind on a specific object, thought, or action to clear your mind and calm your emotions. It can be done in various ways, like mindfulness, guided imagery, or a body scan. It can take a few minutes or a long time. 

2. Spend time outdoors

 Step outside and enjoy the beauty of nature for a while. Let the fresh air and greenery around you do wonders for your health. Not only does being outside change your hormones, but it also makes you feel calmer and can even help you be more creative. So, go ahead. Take yourself or your kids on a picnic, sit on a blanket in the park, or just go outside and enjoy nature.

3. Keep a photo by your bed

Having pictures of your friends on hand is a great way to remember the people you care about. Studies show that seeing “faces” first thing in the morning can help release hormones that are good for us. So add a photo of your kids and grandkids. Check your phone. I’m sure you have plenty of photos you can print off at the office supply store or through Canva.

4. Have the Right Grooming Regime

Grooming yourself is important not only for how you look but also for your health and well-being as a whole. When you take the time to groom yourself, you show yourself that you are worth taking care of. It’s a small but important way to love and care for yourself. 

Taking care of yourself can be a very healing thing to do on its own. It can help your mind and body let go of tension and stress. It’s also a small step toward feeling more confident and in charge of your life. It gives you a chance to get away from the busyness of everyday life, focus on yourself, and connect with yourself. Grooming yourself can help you find calm and peace in your day, whether it’s taking a relaxing bath, going for a walk, or even just taking a moment to put on some makeup.

5. Exercise

Exercise is a powerful tool that not only makes you healthier physically but also makes you happier and healthier mentally and emotionally. Regular exercise can help you maintain a healthy weight, keep your heart healthy, and help your muscles and bones stay strong. But exercise helps in more ways than just how you look. Good neurotransmitters like endorphins, dopamine, and serotonin are released when you exercise. This can give you an instant mood boost and make you feel happier and more energized. 

Exercise has also been shown to help people with anxiety and depression feel better, sleep better, and think more clearly overall. It can also be a powerful way to deal with stress. Physical activity can be a great way to keep your body and mind healthy and in balance.

6. Call Friends

Having photos around can help us feel better and recall happy memories, but nothing beats the power of connecting with real people. Calling a friend when we’re feeling lonely can do a lot for our mental health. It assists us in developing and maintaining a strong network of support, which is critical for our overall health. It also benefits our friends, resulting in a positive feedback loop that makes us feel better. 

We not only receive emotional support from talking to friends and family, but we also have the opportunity to help them, which can be a great way to feel good about ourselves. Calling friends and family can also help combat isolation, which has been linked to an increased risk of depression and other mental health issues. It’s a simple but effective method for taking care of ourselves and strengthening our relationships.

Why not call on hands-free while cooking?

Tip# 1: FaceTime a younger member of your family like a grandchild or a niece/nephew

7. Message friends

Messages are a great way to stay in touch with friends and continue meaningful relationships, which is good for our mental and emotional health. Whether you send a friend a funny meme, a joke, or just ask how they’re doing, just reaching out can start a conversation that can make both of you feel better. 

In fact, having good relationships with other people is an integral part of our health and happiness as a whole. Studies have shown that people with a lot of social support are less likely to be depressed, anxious, or stressed out. They also tend to have better physical health. So, don’t think a simple text or phone call to a friend isn’t impactful. It can change your life and the lives of the people you care about.

8. Use positive affirmations

Positive affirmations are phrases you can repeat over and over to improve your mood or boost your confidence. Simple phrases like “I am strong” or “I can do this” can be used. Saying these phrases to yourself can positively affect your mood and overall well-being. Positive affirmations are great because they not only make you feel better in the short term, but they can also improve your mood and self-esteem in the long run. This is because this way of thinking can become a habit and a part of you.

By repeating positive affirmations over and over, you are training your brain to think in a positive way. This is like the idea of positive self-talk, which is the practice of talking to yourself in a kind and positive way. Positive affirmations and positive self-talk both help you feel better, feel more confident, and have a more positive view of life. Use tools to prompt you until positive self-talk becomes a habit.

9. Acknowledge Compliments

Record compliments. Dwelling on negative criticism is often emphasized above pleasant comments. Write down all your compliments so you can reflect on them and build your self-confidence.
Acknowledging compliments also improves relationships. Listen and appreciate compliments. Responding favorably and graciously can build your relationship and show you value their views.

Accepting compliments can also boost self-esteem because it reinforces belief in yourself. Instead of focusing on what you see as your flaws, recognize your strengths and positive traits that others see. This can boost confidence.

Finally, accepting compliments helps you grow. Recording and responding to positive feedback improves relationships, self-confidence, and self-perception.

10. Cultivate Gratitude

Gratefulness can improve our health and happiness. It involves being mindful of our blessings. Instead of complaining, appreciate what you have. Learn gratitude by keeping a gratitude journal. Write down a few things you are grateful for each day. Saying “I’m thankful for my health” or “I’m thankful for my family” works. Thinking about these things can help you see the good in life. Showing others gratitude is another method to cultivate it. Tell someone you appreciate their kindness. This will make them happy and make you grateful.

Kindness increases gratitude. Helping others, volunteering, or being kind can put things in perspective and remind us of our blessings. Gratitude improves your mental and physical well-being. It reduces stress, boosts mood, and makes you stronger and happier. It helps us appreciate what we have rather than continually wanting more. Gratitude improves health and happiness.

11. Find Some “You Time” Every Day

If you go through life constantly rushing from one activity or task to the next, then you will never be able to actually enjoy your time. Not only that, but carving out time to focus on you, will allow you to pursue hobbies and interests that make you happy. So slow down. Have a “do nothing day” or simply take a break.

12. Get Enough Sleep

Getting enough sleep is crucial to your health, your mood, and even your long-term psychological well-being. You owe it to yourself to get at least 8 hours as often as you can. If you’re struggling to fall or stay asleep, there are actions you can take to help you fall asleep. Also, check out “Sleep More Worry Less With a White Noise Machine” to see how a simple machine can help you block out unwanted noise so you can fall asleep more readily.

To enhance your ability to sleep, keep your bed linens clean and the temperature in your bedroom comfortable.

Tip #2: Keep your bedroom dark and at a comfortable temperature during sleep time.  

13. Dress Yourself Well

Dressing well ensures you look better, which in turn means that others will perceive you differently. The “law of attraction” tells us that this can eventually lead to great things happening for us. Not only that but when you dress yourself well, you send a sign to yourself and to others that you believe you are worth adorning in those nice clothes.  It’s one way to feel confident even when all is not well with you.

14. Decorate Your Home office

Decorating your home well can mean surrounding yourself with things that make you happy. A tidy and well-presented home is also great for reducing the stress that can come from clutter and disorganization. While you might not feel like you have the time, taking some time out of your schedule to clear your home and make it look beautiful can ensure that everything else you do feels and goes better.

Alternatively, you can create a space in your home just for you. Whether it’s in your bedroom or a small corner of another room, create a space using this zen garden kit, for example.

15. Take a Vacation

Just take the time off!

Too many people feel they have to work extremely hard all the time, and that they can never take a day off. If they do, then surely it will mean that they’ll be slacking and that they will look bad in the eyes of their employers. They’ll be shirking responsibilities, leaving it to others, and doing a poor job!

You know what? If you take a day off today, no one is going to notice. And when you look back on your life years from now, you won’t even remember. What you will remember is being ill from being overworked, or missing out on living.

So whether you just hang out at home or book a getaway, take time away from work so you can rest and recharge.

16. Cut Out Toxic People

A toxic person is anyone who makes you feel bad about yourself regularly. While you can’t easily cut someone out entirely if you will be encountering them in your daily life, what you can do is create boundaries and avoid spending more time than necessary with them. You owe it to yourself to protect yourself from others who continue to abuse you.

In this video, I interview Dr. Roberta Shaler who talks about how toxic people can disrupt your life. Hope it helps you put some of your relationships in perspective.

17. Learn to Say No

Many of us struggle to say no. This results in us taking on too much responsibility, and committing to too many different things. Learn to say no, and to spend time at home recuperating without a “reason.” Life will get much easier and happier.

18. Enjoy Healthy Treats

Good food triggers a spike in happiness and reward hormones. If it’s unhealthy, this enjoyment will be short-lived and you’ll soon feel stressed and anxious again. But if it’s healthy, then the beneficial nutrients will help to improve your mood long term, not to mention fortifying your mind and body.

So treat yourself to some healthy snacks when you’re in the mood hits without overdoing it.

19. Take Sick Days

As before, it is important to recognize that there is no honor in refusing to ever take time off work. This goes double when it comes to sick days. Your health is more important than what your boss thinks of you, so if you’re ill, do everyone a favor and call in sick!

20. See the Doctor

Likewise, when you’re ill you should see a doctor. Think about what you would tell a family member. If they were limping and spluttering, you’d tell them to see a doctor. Show yourself the same respect and kindness!

21. Use Loving Kindness Meditation

Loving-kindness meditation is a form of meditation where you focus on feelings of love and happiness that are directed toward yourself. You will be cultivating these emotions, so as to increase their abundance. It’s a great practice that can help you feel warm and content throughout the day.

Tip #3: Positive self-talk works too!

22. Pet a Dog or Cat

It’s one of the best ways to trigger the release of feel-good hormones. If you have the time and money to own a pet, then this is one of the best forms of therapy out there!

23. Keep Plants and Flowers in Your Home

Plants and flowers can help boost your mood and health in many ways. Looking at greenery can help you relax and stimulate creativity for instance, while the oxygen they produce may also be beneficial. Plus, caring for something is another great way to feel better about yourself.

24. Drink Plenty of Water

Drinking water is extremely important for your health. The more water you drink, the more you’ll boost your energy level, mood, sleep, and more. When I was in Mexico, I noticed that most of the women I connected with carried refillable water bottles wherever they went. Even when they went to restaurants. I think this is a brilliant habit since will always have water with you and you can fill up wherever you are when you run out.

Tip #4: Try drinking filtered water.  Bottled water can be expensive and all that plastic can end up in the ocean.

25. Enjoy “Bubble Time”

Bubble time is a term I coined. It essentially means enjoying tiny moments of complete peace and quiet and basking in the freedom you have during those moments.

For example, if you are taking an elevator somewhere, then you can take that time to simply relax. It’s only a 1 or 2-minute journey, but in this ‘bubble time’ you don’t need to worry about anything else!

26. Eat More Slowly

The more slowly you eat, the more you’ll enjoy your food. This is also extremely good for your health, as eating quickly can lead to weight gain (we don’t recognize when we’re full), indigestion, and much more.

27. Make a Note of Things You’re Looking Forward To

When you spend your life going from one crisis to another, or simply carrying out jobs, it can be hard to remember exciting things you can look forward to.

These don’t need to be big things like holidays (though that works too of course!). They can just as easily be tiny things: things like new movies that are coming out, the breakfast cereal you will have tomorrow, or finishing that book later on. Don’t have things to look forward to? Get some!

28. Hit Snooze

“I want to live in a world where hitting the snooze button is seen as normal”

dana malstaff

There are so many self-help articles and books telling you how to wake up early every day. And countless entrepreneurs and self-help gurus claim that if you get up at 4 am every day you’ll be more productive and rich. Maybe! But it’s okay to press the snooze button sometimes.

So when the alarm goes off early, and you find yourself wanting to roll back over and go to sleep, go ahead. Rest.

You know what? You’ve earned it! If it’s the weekend, or if you have a bit of time spare, then hit snooze and enjoy those 10 extra minutes. They won’t kill you! In fact, chances are that if you’re overwhelmed, they could actually save your life.

29. Learn the Difference Between Success and Happiness

This is a bigger one, but it’s essential. Too many of us equate success to happiness, meaning that we think that ‘doing well’ is the same as ‘living well’. It is not. And in fact, for many of us, success is a trap. When you start chasing success to the extent that you are no longer taking the time to enjoy your lifestyle, it means that you aren’t going to benefit from any of that success.

Learn to enjoy each step along the way. And moreover, think about what the lifestyle you’re chasing after will actually mean for your energy levels, your stress, and the time you get to spend with your family.

And in case you don’t take this seriously, here’s my story. My sister was 60 years old when she decided she’d worked hard enough and she was taking early retirement, taking her pension, and traveling. But she was dead before she got her first pension check from heart failure and a host of other ailments.

30. Use a Daylight Lamp

The last one is another easy one: get a daylight lamp! This is a light that mimics the rising of the sun and creates a very similar wavelength. The benefit of this lamp lies in its ability to affect your hormones and mental state similar to the real sun. This can combat SAD (seasonal affective disorder) and drastically improve your mood.

BONUS #1: Walk in the sunshine

In addition to #30 take some time to walk in the sunshine.  Just remember to take precautions if you are on certain medication. Take care to protect your skin as well.

BONUS #2: Take a Bubble Bath

Soaking in a tub with Epsom salt or your favorite bubble bath can relax you and enhance sleep.  You can add lavender oil and candles to really create a spa-like experience.  

Tip #5: Great way to enjoy a glass of wine!

Conclusion

So, there you have it! 30 easy self-care ideas you can adopt to boost your mood, improve your health, and help you be happier and more content. But the most important takeaway is simply that you should be doing something to enhance your mood and well-being. It’s okay to need a bit of TLC from time to time, and it’s okay to be the one to provide it!

Disclaimer:  The above is for entertainment purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Please consult a medical professional about any of these suggestions that may affect your health.