Self Care For Busy Moms

Are those days gone when you regularly went to the hairdressers, got your nails done, enjoyed a spa day, or even remembered your regular check-ups at the dentist?

Before I had a child, I had so much freedom and free time to enjoy regular me-time and didn’t think twice about planning in some self-care. But after my son was born, for a long time it came very far down the list, until I started taking my own advice and began to think about my self-care.

When I talk to women about self-care, the two most common reasons for not prioritizing it are TIME and GUILT. Does this resonate with you, too? Feeling so busy that there never seems to be time to take care of yourself? Or do you feel guilty at the thought of going off on a spa day or treating yourself at the hairdressers? That you shouldn’t spend that money, or that you should be doing other things, like taking care of the kids, housework and tackling that endless to-do list?

So, I’m just going to say it. STOP FEELING GUILTY!!!! You are worth it. And quite frankly, if you don’t take care of yourself, you won’t be the best version of yourself. If you burn out, then your whole family suffers. If you decide that you are worth taking care of, the way you take care of others, then you will be a better woman, friend, mother, wife, partner, colleague and human being.

LET GO of guilt

Know YOU ARE WORTH IT

It DOES make a difference

Let me share some really simple ways to begin to incorporate self-care into your life, guilt-free and time effective.

Five Passive Ways to Self Care – and Feeling Fabulous!

These tips don’t require any time commitment, and minimal effort, but can have a huge and immediate effect on how you feel. Which one will you try first?

1. Wear lipstick
   I was talking with my good friend Ginny the other day, and she said to me that putting on her lipstick always transforms how she feels. So after you apply your lip balm, reach for your lippy and see an instant transformation.
2. Put on your beautiful underwear
   I no longer keep my good sets for special occasions. Whenever I can, I wear my nicest, sexiest underwear, even though it’s only me who knows I am wearing it. Swapping my sports bra and big pants for a sexier matching set gives me confidence as I go about my day.
3. Smell nice
   Don’t keep those nice perfume bottles sitting on your shelf gathering dust. A quick spritz of your favourite scent does wonders for you. And remember, these perfumes have a shelf life, so don’t waste them; use them. Turn an occasional luxury in to an everyday feel-good moment.
4. Diffuse oils
   You all know how much I love essential oils. And what is a simpler way to change your environment and affect your mood than through the power of Aromatherapy. So light up that oil diffuser and add a couple of drops of your favourite oil, and breathe. You can find a range of essential oils here.
5. Drink water
   My good friend and Holistic Nutritionist, Monika Bock, says the best thing that you can do for your health is to drink lots of water. And she is so right. It’s simple. So fill up your water bottle, and look and feel great.

Five One Minute Wonders

I can totally empathise with you if you feel that you never get a minute to yourself. If this is you, then you urgently need to prioritise some self care! Here are my 60 second suggestions that actually make a difference. Choose one and start today!

1. Breathe
   When you are super busy, the kids are screaming, or you feel frazzled or overwhelmed, simply pause and take three deep breaths. Then keep breathing. It’s an instant calmer.
2. Colour
   Your kids love it and you see how focussed and calm they are when they are colouring. But colouring is not just for kids. I teach it in my mindfulness course, and it’s always a surprise hit. Chances are you’ve been given an adult colouring book as a present. Dig it out and colour for one minute. Or use your kids’ colouring books and pencils, or join in with your children. Focusing on a relaxing activity calms your mind, distracts your thoughts and relaxes you.
3. Plank
   If, like me, you are finding it hard to find a consistent time to exercise, then consider that just 60 seconds (or 45 in my case!) of plank pose works your core muscles and strengthens your back.
4. Read
   Reading is a great escape, and finding a quick read can really lift our mood. Two of my favourite magazines have online sites where there are short articles related to health, well-being and lifestyle. Try Psychologies or Breathe Magazine for a minute of Me Time.
5. Gratitude
   Take one minute before you fall into bed to write down three things you are grateful for. Research tells us that people who practice gratitude are happier. And it also creates a positive mindset that aids a better sleep.

Try these tips as a start to your new self care regime and feel the difference a little Me Time can make to your health.

Want to talk more about self care? Join me on July 30th over on My Mama Tribe with Jailan Heidar for my webinar, “Self Care For Busy Moms”. Or email me at hello@julieleonardcoaching.com to schedule a Free Discovery Call to chat about how I can help.

This article was originally publihed by me at Uber Moms.