Do you want a list of self-care hacks for moms on hand?
Are you a busy mom always putting others’ needs ahead of your own?
If this parenting thing is burning you out, mama, I got you.
As moms, we have a million things to tend to, that self-care seems to be last on our list.
But I’m here to tell you that it doesn’t have to be this way!
I’m a convert who used to feel so stressed out from feeling like I had to cater to everyone else’s needs before my own to now taking care of ME FIRST. And it’s done wonders for my life.
Taking the time to fill up my own tank first has made me less cranky and moody to now more patient and loving. And that has translated to a happier husband and kids.
So from one busy mama to another, let me share the 10 best self-care hacks for moms that I find indispensable to my daily routine.
- Wake up 10 minutes earlier
- Write down your to-do list
- Shower yourself with kindness
- Read out positive affirmations
- Get moving
- Fill up a water bottle
- Connect with family/friends
- Get silly
- Unplug before bed
- Commit to a bedtime routine
10 Self-Care Hacks For Moms Who Are Short On Time
When you think of mom hacks, easy-to-implement tips and tricks come to mind.
This list of 10 self-care hacks is exactly that because not everyone has time for a spa day or a facial.
Each one takes no longer than 15 minutes, and even the busiest of moms have 15 minutes to spare. Try these simple hacks out and make self-care a priority today!
Wake up 10 minutes earlier
I know this seems impossible when all you wish for is ten extra minutes of sleep before your kids come barging in the room demanding breakfast, but hear me out.
Getting up before the rest of the household grants you that few extra moments of peace and alone time. And when the rest of the day feels chaotic and loud, it can be soothing to have those extra minutes of silence.
I take my time to shower, get dressed, and put on my skincare without feeling rushed.
When I don’t have to start my day feeling stressed, I feel like I can take on whatever the day throws at me.
Write down your to-do list
Having so many balls to juggle can feel overwhelming at times.
Unless you’re one of those with excellent time management skills, I find that writing everything I need to do down on a list helps immensely.
I’m not sure if this applies to all moms, but my brain cannot store and remember things like it used to.
So every time something comes up, I immediately dump it onto my to-do list.
I keep a simple list on my phone, which I access three times a day:
- in the morning before I go about my day
- after lunch, to check on what else I need to attend to the rest of the day
- at the end of the day, to check off things I’ve already done
Doing this has done so much for my stress levels. I feel like I’ve gained a bit more control over the chaos that is my everyday mom life.
Shower yourself with kindness
I consider this an all-essential self-care hack for moms because the effect I see from practicing this every day has been amazing.
As women, especially moms, I think we tend to judge ourselves too harshly.
The self-criticism that I used to dole out to myself daily was unbelievable.
- You’re not spending enough time with your child. She will hate you.
- You’re not cooking enough home-cooked meals for the family. They’re not getting the proper nutrition, and it’s your fault.
But all that did was make me unhappy and angry all the time. And the mom guilt was devastating (but it doesn’t have to be!)
So instead, I’ve learned to change my mindset and be kinder to myself.
- You’re feeling tired, and you need rest. Your child can watch TV for an hour, and she’ll still be fine.
- You’re feeling overwhelmed by all the things you need to do today. You need help. Order dinner and have an enjoyable mealtime together instead of stressing out over cooking.
Shower yourself with empathy, then spread that kindness around to your family. Everyone will be so much happier for it.
Read out positive affirmations
If it’s hard for you to break out of the cycle of negative self-talk, try daily positive affirmations.
I think they’re a great way to start your day or to keep popping them into your head throughout the day when things get tough.
Some of my favorites include:
- I trust my parenting instincts
- I am enough
- I am grateful for my children
Keep the list somewhere visible or on your phone so that you can start turning that negative self-talk into positive self-love instead.
Get moving
I know that with a million other things to do, exercise feels like the last chore you’d want to be doing.
But the energy that exercise gives you is irreplaceable, especially if you’re struggling with stress or anxiety.
Ideally, we should be working out every day. And I know you’re thinking, “I don’t have the time!”
I used to feel the same way. Until I started rebounding and doing yoga for 10-15 minutes daily.
These 10-15 minutes of exercise can help you relax and reduce overall stress.
If you’re starting from scratch, start small and commit to a daily walk around the block. Nothing beats getting out of the house for some fresh air. As a bonus, you can even listen to a podcast or music on any app while walking.
Fill up a water bottle
I don’t know about you, but whenever I get dehydrated, I get a headache, I can’t focus, and my mood drops.
We all know how important drinking water is, but how much water are we drinking daily?
When I used to drink from a cup, I could barely drink 1 liter because it was such a hassle to go back to the kitchen to pour myself a cup every time I got thirsty.
Now, I have a cute water bottle that I carry around the house (and anywhere else I would be going) that is almost 2 liters worth, and I find that I’m guzzling down almost two bottles throughout the day!
So find yourself a water bottle you like (having a straw helps!), and carry it everywhere you go. No more excuses not to stay hydrated.
Connect with family/friends
I think it’s important to have a human connection at least once daily.
It can be so easy to get absorbed in whatever you’re doing, all the tasks that you need to get done, and at the end of the day, you find that you barely had any conversation with another adult.
But spending quality time with family/friends is one of the best ways to care for yourself mentally and emotionally.
And with the help of technology, our smartphones can connect us to our family/friends at any time of the day. Easiest self-care hack for moms ever!
So give them a ring, a message, or even an email, tell them about your day, share something silly and connect!
This way, you’ll know that you’re never alone and that your support system is always there for you.
Get silly
I have this unexplained fear of being too silly with my girls.
In my head, I’m worried that if I have too much fun with them, they will not respect or listen to me when I need them to.
But in reality, we build a strong connection with our children when we get down and dirty with them.
When I’ve spent some time with my girls, just playing, laughing, and generally being silly together, I find that they’re more willing to go along with my plan than if I were to command them as a parent.
Plus, it’s so much easier and fun that way!
Unplug before bed
At the beginning of the year, I made a new year’s resolution to sleep by midnight in an attempt to instill good habits back into my sleep-deprived life.
Sometimes, the lure of my phone is too strong, and I get sucked into surfing on social media and youtube for hours past midnight, even though my brain and body are exhausted and screaming at me to go to sleep.
But on the times when I do obey the reminder that I’ve set and disconnected my phone, I get some much-needed rest and wake up refreshed and ready to take on the day.
So grab a good book instead of your phone and give yourself a break from the screen. Your body will thank you for it.
Commit to a bedtime routine
Every night, I commit to a good skincare routine, then I’ll meditate or read before going to bed. Sometimes, I’ll write in my gratitude journal.
With this consistency in my life, it becomes easier to fall asleep and stay asleep.
You might want to try a hot shower before bed to relax or listen to calming music to help you drift off.
Whatever you choose to do, it doesn’t have to take too long. But it signals to your brain and body that it’s time to wind down and get some rest.
Don’t put yourself on hold. These 10 self-care hacks for moms are meant to give you a little more time to yourself, to fill up your tank so that you can meet the neverending demands of parenting and become better parents overall.
If you know another mom on the verge of burnout, share this list with them. Let’s show our children how important mental health is. We’re all in this together.
