To borrow a few words from our every mom needs a break article, being a mother is both the greatest and hardest thing in the world.
As any mom will tell you, one of the most natural things about parenting is to put your baby first in all aspects of what you do and think.
Most of the time this is 100% necessary considering you are dealing with a newborn who literally relies on you for everything in order to survive.
The trouble is, this leaves no time for you.
And if mom doesn’t take care of herself that could lead to things like exhaustion, burnout, depression, stress and feeling overwhelmed – none of which are good for you, your baby or your family.
Making time for yourself may feel indulgent or selfish, but that simply isn’t true, because if mom isn’t able to function properly, then everyone (and particularly your baby) will ultimately suffer.
Mothers have the hardest job around, but that doesn’t mean you can’t or shouldn’t allow yourself to have some me-time now and again.
So, whether it’s for a few minutes or a whole day, here are over forty of the best self care ideas for moms.
Table of Contents
Physical Self Care Ideas For Moms
- Pilates
- Home Workout
- Swimming
- Have A Manicure
- Get A Haircut
Relaxing Self Care Ideas For Mothers
- Have A Bubble Bath
- Read A Book
- Listen To Music
- Do Some Painting
- Watch Your Favorite TV Shows
- Spa Day
- Get A Massage
- Go To Bed Early
- Have A Lie In
- Take A Nap
- Have A Social Media Detox
- Turn Your Phone Off
- Go To A Movie Alone
- Go For A Long Walk
- Visit A Bookstore
Spiritual Self Care Ideas For Moms
- Meditation
- Yoga
- Mindful Walking
- Write In Your Journal
- Practice Mindfulness
- Practice Silence
- Unplug From Technology
Indulgent Self Care Ideas For Mothers
- Go Shopping
- Spend A Night In A Hotel
- Spend The Night At A Friends House
- Date Night
- Enjoy Some Nice Wine Or Cocktails
- Dinner With Your Girlfriend(s)
- Get Take Out
- Try A New Exercise Class
- Bake A Cake Or Cookies
- Eat Your Favorite Dessert
- Have A Coffee With A Friend
- Hit The Beach
- Stargazing
- Get Dressed Up
- Plan A Vacation
- Be A Tourist In Your Own City
- Do Nothing At All
Self Care Tips For Moms
Don’t Feel Guilty
One reason why many moms don’t take adequate time to look after their mental or physical well-being is because they feel guilty for doing so.
Mothers, and especially moms to newborns, should remember that self-care isn’t selfish.
In fact, the opposite it true, because moms need to look after themselves in order to do their job properly.
Related: How To Survive The Newborn Stage (10 Essential Survival Tips)
Plan In Advance
Life is busy, but the life of a mom is even busier.
With all those chores, work, your partner and other commitments, it’s easy to put everyone else’s needs first and to never get around to addressing your own needs.
A good tip is to therefore schedule in some me-time well in advance and to be strict about not canceling it.
Sure, emergencies happen and sometimes plans must change, but wherever possible book that time in for your chosen self-care activity, and make sure the person looking after your baby respects how important this time is (see below).
Lean On Your Support Network
Let’s face it, in order to properly enjoy and get the benefits from any of the ideas above, you’ll need someone else to look after your child.
Your husband, partner, relatives, friends or even a babysitter will therefore need to look care for your little one while you partake in any self-care activity.
Communicate with them about the importance of looking after yourself and allow them to step in to help you practice some much-needed self-care.
