Simple self care ideas for mums.
Simple self care ideas for mums.
After having my first child I completely forgot what self care was. As an anxious first time mum I spent so much time flapping and stressing, that I didn’t even stop to think about my mental wellbeing. Even when Ted was asleep I was always thinking about what I needed to do to be prepared for when he woke up.
For me, mum guilt always got in the way, I felt like I shouldn’t be finding time for myself in case it disturbed his routine. It took a good couple of years for me to realise that was total nonsense. As mums we always put our children first, they are the most important people in our worlds. But, how can we expect to be the best parent we can if we are stretching ourselves thin.
I took some pretty big steps to implement self care around my second pregnancy, I started a distance learning course and a blog! However, there are so many ways we can incorporate self care in every day life. Here are some of my favourite ideas:
15 minutes or less
- Make time for a cuppa
- Paint your nails
- Listen to music
- Read a book chapter
- Read a magazine
- Lounge outdoors
- Call a friend
- Take a warm shower
- Try some yoga poses
- Power workout
- Clean something
- Watch a YouTube video
- Tech free time
- Hydrate
- Power nap
- Research a new hobby
30 minutes or less
- Read a few chapters
- listen to an audio book
- Paint your nails
- Video call a friend
- Dance to music
- Apply a face mask
- Take a bath
- Meditate
- Workout
- Cuddle a pet
- Water the plants
- Do some colouring
- Do some gardening
- Apply some makeup
- Sit under the stars
1 hour or less
- Go for a walk
- Do some gardening
- Watch a series
- Play a game
- Visit a nearby friend
- Lounge in the garden
- Draw or paint
- Make something
- Go for a run
- Make a Pinterest board
- Write a blog/ journal
- Bake a cake or cookies
- Write a meal plan
- Picnic outdoors
- Light scented candles
- Go to the Gym
- Try a new recipe
Day or evening
- Visit a spa
- Get a massage
- Have a movie night
- Go on a date night
- Host a game night
- Cook for friends
- Have a family BBQ
- Go to the Cinema
- Dine Out
- Visit a sauna
- National trust site
- Visit distant friends
- Try a new hobby
- Play a game
- Read a book
- Go out with friends
When can I fit in self care?
When the kids are sleeping
This can be during naps, when they’re in bed or before they’ve woken up. This my favourite time to practise self care because I don’t feel like it is affecting my day with them at all
By incorporating the kids
Why not visit a friend who has kids too? Or how about setting up a fun activity in the garden so that they can play with each other or friends and you can relax for 15.
To give your partner some one to one time with the kids
My partner works all week so he really puts the effort in to spend quality time with the kids now and then. So taking an hour out can be beneficial for both parties.
When they want to visit grandparents or friends
My kid’s grandparents make excellent babysitters. my eldest always wants to visit them so the idea of having a sleep over every once in a while is super exciting for him and it gives us as parents a few hours or an evening together.
When they don’t want to hang out
Lets face it. There is going to come a time when playing with your mum all day is not cool anymore. When the kids are busy doing their own thing it’s a great time to do yours.
When they have friends round
Again, who wants to play with their mum when there is a friend about. Use this time to make time for you!
What are your self care ideas?
