While the term “self-care” may seem like an indulgence or a costly excursion, it shouldn’t. In its simplest form, self-care is taking the time to focus on yourself and your needs so that you can live well while supporting and improving your physical and mental health. And, for busy moms, this means finding the time to practice self-care so that you can be your best for those who count on you!
At The Happy Co., we believe everyone should be happy, especially moms! So we put together this list of simple ways to self-care:
21 Self-Care Ideas for Busy Moms
Take a walk in nature or a stroll through your neighborhood.
Exposure to nature has been shown to reduce stress, lower anxiety and improve mood.
Try meditation, even if it is just scheduling 15 minutes to focus on your breath it can help relieve stress. And, according to mindhealth.com, just 20 minutes a day can help enhance brain functioning and overall physical and mental health.
Do something, just for you. It can be an easy and inexpensive way to treat yourself. Whether it’s taking care of your body by adding a scoop of Happy Collagen to your morning coffee or enjoying a relaxing bath at the end of the day. There’s no right or wrong answer here. It’s all about finding one thing that’s all about you.
Start journaling. Whether it’s jotting down sweet moments you want to remember, future goals, things you need to do, or even hard times, it’s a great way to recognize priorities, emotions, triggers, and more, and support your mental health.
Read a book. Take a look at your schedule and decide where you can squeeze in time to relax with a good book. Maybe it’s in lieu of watching TV before bed or swapping kid duties or chores with your husband for some extra time.
Sweat it out. You know exercise is great for the body, but did you know it’s also ideal for the mind? From reducing depression and anxiety to improving mood and self-image, make exercise a priority.
Connect with friends. Schedule a coffee date, trip to the mall, or even just a phone call with a friend for some social interaction, support, and fun.
Treat yourself to a massage or spa day. Sometimes a little pampering can go a long way in reducing stress and promoting relaxation.
Try a new hobby. Gardening, painting, pickleball, your options are endless, and engaging in a hobby can be an excellent way to unwind, recharge and maybe even spur something you’re passionate about.
Eat well. A healthy diet can boost your energy levels and improve your mood, so try to make nutritious food choices whenever possible.
Take a technology break. Believe it or not, the things that we rely on for convenience can also bring out more stress. By disconnecting from technology, you’ll feel more present to the things around you.
Practice gratitude. Taking a few minutes each day to reflect on the things you’re grateful for can help shift your focus to the positive and improve your mood.
Listen to music or a podcast. Need to escape? By listening to something you enjoy, you can relax and escape from the stress of everyday life without even planning a trip.
Get a babysitter or ask for help. Feel like you need more than 15 minutes of self-care? Asking for help when you need it is important to your well-being. Whether it’s getting a babysitter for a few hours or asking a friend to run an errand for you, everyone could use an extra hand now and then.
Get a plant. Believe it or not, plants can help with mental health by reducing stress and anxiety and boosting productivity and creativity.
Try a yoga class. Whether you hit the studio or find a free session online moving your body and breathing are great for improving your flexibility and mental health. Plus, there are classes for every fitness level.
Start a skincare routine. Sometimes taking care of yourself is as literal as it sounds. But don’t worry, it doesn’t have to be over the top. A simple routine with the right products like our Ultimate Skin Care Set can do wonders for the skin—as in softer, smoother, brighter, and firmer!
Write a letter. There’s something about receiving a card or letter through the mail that makes us smile, and sending one to someone else feels good too!
Rock out or dance. Turn on your favorite song and move, sway, dance, play the air guitar, or sing along for feel-good vibes!
Talk to a professional. If you’re struggling to manage your stress and mental health, seek professional help from a therapist or counselor. And, since that’s advice you would probably give to someone you love, take your own advice.
Focus on your health. Keeping up with doctor appointments and check-ups, aren’t just good for your physical well-being, they can help ease your mind about your health.
Moms and busy schedules go hand in hand. And for those who spend most of their day helping others, finding ways to incorporate self-care into their routine is important for feeling their best inside and out.
And, speaking of feeling good from the inside and out, did you know our Happy Collagen features Triple Peptide Complex which may help to prevent collagen breakdown, restore collagen synthesis and nourish all three layers of the skin matrix? That means smoother, softer, firmer, and brighter skin – from, you guessed it, the inside out!