Top 100 Self Care Ideas for Moms
Do you get overwhelmed sometimes? Tired of always being on the run? Tired of always having to do something? Just plain tired? We all do.
As mothers, as wives, and in the different roles we play in our lives when life brings you on the fast track, you often forget that in order to remain sane, you need to catch a break. What do you do then to avoid getting sucked into the wormhole of depression and self-pity? What do you do for self care?
You need to take that nap, you need to go on that drive, you need to go meet that friend, you need to get that massage done.
Yes. Need. Not want.
It’s ironic that we as women often think of these little things as luxuries. A long bath for example. A blow-dry just because I want to feel good about myself today. Two hours of coffee and a good book. A shopping trip just to get things for yourself. When was the last time you did that? Went on a shopping spree as a mother and only got things for yourself?
If you ask me, that’s never. Never as a mother.
We think of every other person before we think of ourselves. My son might need this. My husband has been looking for this. I can get things for myself later but imagine how happy my child will be. So we give in. What we need to understand is that sometimes it just needs to be about us. We too are human after all.
Did you know that depression is twice as prevalent in women than in men? Why do you think that is? I think it is so because men know how to think about themselves. Even when they forget, there is always someone pushing them to do so, whether it is a mother, a wife, or even a friend.
Women, however, prioritize themselves at the end of their “priority chain”. We have so many people to think about. So many people have an opinion about how mothers should be, how wives should be, and how women, in general, should be. We end up feeling like we have to live up to those expectations.
Look at men. If they have a certain routine, they almost always have something that they love doing as part of the routine. Whether it’s the gym, a favorite sport, a hobby, watching some sport, or a boys’ night out; they will build their entire schedule around what they love, and they will never compromise on it.
Why do we do it then? Why do we think a million times before doing something for ourselves?
The Magic of Self-Care
A beautiful friend of mine taught me about self-care. I admit I’m still not very good at it. But when I do get down to it, it feels so good! It literally boosts your entire day and gives you energy bolts for the day. You are happier, calmer, and more ready to listen to the 101 random tantrums of your children, and of course, the man-child. Why? Because you are at peace with yourself. You are happy.
100 Brilliant Self-Care Ideas
There are a million things you can do as self-care, and frankly, it varies hugely from person to person. What I may call self-care may not be the same for you. Here are some general examples of what self-care can be like:
- A blow-dry
- A chat with an old friend
- A good book
- A haircut
- A hot shower
- A new dress
- A nap
- A pillow fight with a friend
- A pedicure
- A shopping spree
- Adopting a pet
- An hour of Netflix
- Applying a face mask
- Asking someone for help
- Baking
- Boxing
- Buying yourself that thing you want but don’t need
- Coloring with children
- Complimenting oneself
- Complimenting yourself in front of a mirror
- Cooking
- Daydreaming
- Dancing
- Decluttering
- Doing a digital detox
- Doing makeup
- Doing something wild and out of the norm
- Donating to a cause
- Dressing up
- Drinking water
- Dyeing your hair
- Eating cake
- Eating chocolate
- Eating vitamins
- Exercising
- Getting a makeover
- Getting a massage
- Getting a tattoo
- Getting yourself flowers
- Going barefoot for a day
- Going camping
- Going for a long drive
- Going for a run
- Going for a walk
- Going for therapy
- Going on a date night
- Going on a diet
- Going to the beach
- Going to the park
- Having ice cream
- Helping someone in need
- Hiking
- Hugging someone
- Jumping on a trampoline
- Laughing with a child
- Learning a new language
- Learning a new skill
- Listening to your favorite music
- Listening to your favorite podcast
- Making a new friend
- Making candy
- Meeting a friend
- Munching on candy
- Munching on carbs
- New shoes
- Painting
- Painting your nails
- Painting your room
- Planting something
- Playing a sport
- Playing a video game
- Playing hide and seek
- Playing with Lego
- Praying
- Reading a magazine
- Reading poetry
- Scrolling on your phone
- Sharing a joke with a friend
- Singing in the shower
- Smiling
- Soaking in the rain
- Spa date with a friend
- Stargazing
- Stretching
- Sunbathing
- Taking a detox bath
- Taking a long bath
- Taking deep breaths
- Taking selfies
- Telling someone you love them
- Telling yourself five things you are grateful for
- Traveling
- Unfriending toxic people
- Visiting a theme park
- Watching a funny movie
- Watching the sunrise
- Watching the sunset
- Working out
- Writing
- Yoga
I’m sure there are things on this list that you don’t think are self-care. That’s okay, because like I said, it can’t be the same for everyone. Some days, even washing your face and combing your hair is self-care. Some people suggest having a day in the week for yourself if you cannot do something for yourself every day. That is how the term “self-care Sunday” came about.
The point just is that we have to indulge in something that makes us feel good. And once we do that, once we get out of the rut, and simply take a moment for ourselves, we feel it. We feel that fresh air hitting us in the face. We let that last comment slide. We don’t stretch that argument. We ignore the banter. We smile and we don’t care for a while.
We become men.
It’s fun.
Every woman should try it.