Depending on the data set you review; it’s safe to say roughly 75% of mothers in the US are working full-time. Between raising kiddos and bringing in a paycheck, why are so many moms hesitant to indulge in self-care from time to time? I am here to tell you that whether you are a mom of littles, a mom of teenagers, a mom that works outside of the home, or a stay-at-home mom, self-care shouldn’t be a splurge. It should be considered a necessity.
“Mom” is “the female parent of a human being.” However, society can sometimes mistake this word for the sole or primary provider of a family. Notice I didn’t say parent – I said, family.
We tell our friends, coworkers, and family members they cannot pour from an empty cup. So why would a mom try to do the same? Here’s the thing: self-care doesn’t have to be extravagant or costly. Sometimes it doesn’t cost anything. The payoff is a refreshed mama, and those kids will definitely notice.
Here are some ways to care for yourself, ranging from free to a couple of hundred dollars.
- I’ll start with my personal favorite: massage. Who doesn’t love a massage? And did you know that depending on where you go, you can use your Health Savings Account (HSA) to pay for it? That’s how valuable health massage can be!
- Coffee with a friend. Or coffee by yourself! Check out a local shop and enjoy an hour of uninterrupted girl chat time and Facebook scrolling, or bring your AirPods and listen to a good book!
- A walk by yourself. Bring those AirPods and blare your favorite tunes! Whether it’s through the neighborhood or on a local trail, you’ll be amazed at how great you will feel after.
- Get that facial you’ve been telling yourself you so desperately need! Facials range from various price points, so whether relaxation is your plan or you have specific areas you’d like to fix, there is likely an option within your budget!
- Drive without a destination. During the pandemic, one of my favorite things to do was drive through town and discover little neighborhoods I didn’t know existed! No AirPods are needed this time; you can blare those songs from your glory days and not have to worry about anyone listening to the lyrics.
- Load up on that bubble bath, those essential oils, or whatever you like, and enjoy a 30 minute bath without interruption! You may ask your partner to take the kids on the drive I referenced above to ensure it is genuinely without disruption.
- Kids stress us out! And with that comes visible signs of aging for many of us. Go ahead and indulge in that Botox you’ve been wondering about. I guarantee more people are doing it than you think, and you’ll feel so beautiful after!
- Get a good workout in! Whether at a local gym, a Pilates studio, or even your home, I promise you’ll feel better. And your kids will appreciate the energized mama!
- You deserve time to yourself! It seems so tiny, but the benefits can be huge! Whether your partner takes the kids to the park, on another drive (lol), or they stay home, and you walk around Target, we can all benefit from an hour without anything to think about. Now that so many of us are working from home, we’ve lost that commute time that allowed us to daydream or think about nothing at all!
- Growing up, many of us wrote in journals – why did we ever stop? Journaling is an easy way to prioritize our problems, fears, and concerns. It can also be a great way to write down small wins in your life, what you are proud of, what you are good at, and what you like about yourself! Grab a cute journal and some fun pens to get your doodle on! If typing on your phone or iPad is more your thing, you can do that!
In the comments, share your favorite ways to take care of yourself!
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