Practical Self-Care Tips for Busy Moms To Look and Feel Better Today!

Are you looking for practical self-care tips for busy moms?

Spa days sound nice, don’t they? But many of us busy moms do not have the time or funds to make them a regular thing. The truth is that self-care does not have to be a big event. Incorporating small things that we enjoy, that nourish us, into our days can make a much bigger impact. 

And it is so needed, momma! 

We cannot keep fueling everyone else and nourishing our families when we’re running on empty. So I got in a mom group and asked for self-care ideas that can refuel us as moms. In this post, I will share practical self-care tips for busy moms with different categories. Maybe you want to add some of these ideas to your list. 

I am sharing mostly screen-free tips. I know it is so easy to veg out in front of the tv or scroll through social media. Sometimes those things can make us feel more relaxed but often they leave us feeling empty. 

It’s important to choose things you enjoy. What could be self-care to one person may feel like a chore to someone else. Choose the ideas you like and keep a running list. 

Take a few minutes daily, pick something from your list, and do the activity. Small moments to breathe and do something you enjoy can make you feel like a person again. And that’s what your children need you fueled up and ready to help meet their needs. 

Mix up your list and don’t be afraid to try something new. 

Self-Care Tips For Busy Moms That Are Practical To Do

For The Active and Outdoorsy Moms

Need fresh air? Getting outside for some self-care activities can truly turn a hard day around. 

• Take a walk and listen to an audiobook or podcast.
• Gardening. Plant in pots if you have a small space and still play in the soil. 
• Do a workout in the yard or on the balcony. Stretch, breathe, and feel good. 
• Make a sandbox and play in it. Go on and bury your toes. 
• Sunshine. Just bask in it.

For The Craft Deprived Moms

Did you love drawing and doing crafts as a child? Do you feel like you are missing all those creative experiences? It’s time to bring them back. 

• Doddle to one of your favorite songs.
• Draw something from your surroundings.
• Get your own coloring book or borrow your kid’s and color a page.
• Make some DIY gifts to keep around the house for that next gift occasion.

I have been doing some digital art tutorials on my iPad that I find relaxing and creative. 

For The Homebody Mom

When you can’t get out or just would prefer to stay home, there are still activities you can do and enjoy. 

• Light a fire if you have a fireplace, or even candles can work and watch the flames. I have even just turned a fire on the tv to watch. It’s relaxing. 
• Bake cookies or your favorite sweet treat.
• Stretch and practice some deep breathing. Have a moment of calm. 
• Read a book and journal the things that stand out to you. 
• Take a quick nap. Even a few minutes can reset your tired brain. 
• Clean out something- only if you find this therapeutic.

For That Spa-Like Treatment At Home

Maybe you are not up for a full-on spa day but there are many DIY spa treatments that we can do at home and enjoy. Many even use natural ingredients already in your pantry so do a Pinterest search and get creative.

• Bath, bubbles, Epsom salt, and your favorite beverage. 
• DIY mani-pedi. Just soaking your feet in a warm bath can bring serenity. 
• Use a foot messenger. After put lotion on your feet and fuzzy socks. 
• DIY facial or sheet mask while watching a calming video. I like Her 86m2.
• If you can budget for a massage at home that can be great to reduce stress.

For The Thoughtful Planner Mom

Some may find planning to be the last thing they want to do. But for others evaluating your goals and planning out a new mom and life strategy may be just the thing you need. 

• Write goals or wins from the last month and be thankful.
• Re-evaluate your goals and see if they are still worth your time and effort.
• Plan a new schedule or find a new system to pull things together.
• Read a book that teaches you something new.

For The Mom Needing To Get Out

If you can get out and have a quick self-care date then there are some simple ideas. I’m breastfeeding still and don’t want to leave our daughter but I can take her with me. Sometimes I try to plan time around a nap so she can sleep in the stroller and I can have a little personal time. 

• Stroll through the park and people-watch.
• Visit a zoo or animal sanctuary.
• Go to a fun coffee shop and sip something delicious.
• Meet a friend for a pastry outside of a bakery.
• Take a gift to a shut-in and visit.
• Volunteer at a women’s shelter or animal shelter.

Doing something for someone else can make us feel more grateful and fulfilled.

And on to the most important…

When You Need Refueled Spiritually

There is so much talk about self-care. Activities are nice, spa treatments are nice. Keeping a list of self-care tips for busy moms is so helpful. But nothing can compare to having our hearts restored and refreshed. Time with our Creator is the only thing that can really go deep into the care that we need. 

• Read a passage of scripture and meditate on it.
• Ask Holy Spirit to show you something new.
• Pray for someone else that you know is struggling.
• Make a gratitude list of things that you haven’t thanked God for lately or ever.
• Sit and listen. Listen to the Lord. Feel Him restore you. 
• Create a new prayer and scripture journal. 

Many of these things you can do by yourself if that is what you need or you can also do them with your little ones. Sometimes moms have to be creative to fit in personal and self-care activities. 

Bath Time Self-Care

Our daughter loves playing in the water so something I just started doing is letting her play in the water in the shower while I do some skin and hair care. I just put some water in her little buckets then turn the shower off and give her some toys after I wash both of us up. It’s not an extra step just a continuation of bath time.

I turn on a little electric heater to keep the bathroom warm and let her play while I monitor her and put on my lotion and do ghua sha on my face. I have TMJ issues so this time goes beyond beauty into pain management. It’s an easy way to get the few minutes I need for my health and well-being.

This is a big work in process for me. I’m not good at taking this time. I believe in putting others first and taking care of others. But I also know the kind of wife and mom I want to be. I want to be loving and kind. Present and supportive. 

And I struggle. With all of that. 

I cannot be those things if I am tired, burned out, and feeling grumpy and resentful. Having little moments to nourish ourselves every day can go a long way toward helping us be the moms we want to be. Especially that quiet time with the Lord. 

Did you like these self-care tips for busy moms? Is there something you can add to your list? To make them happen we need the right environment.

Set up Your Environment

I think we have to set up our environments with reminders. Reminders to pause, to focus on the Word, to refuel. Think of some ways that you can set up your environment to make self-care a greater priority over the next week. 

It could be leaving a Bible open on the dining room table to meditate on as you pass by. Maybe posting Bible affirmation cards all over your house. It could be leaving your skin care blend out on the counter where you see it. It could be having a foot spa at your desk ready to plug up and use as you work. 

Whatever it is for you be sure to set yourself up for success. Otherwise, it is easy to forget and continue on towards burnout. 

Think about the expectations that you are putting on yourself that are just too much. Explore ways that you can ask for help in the areas you need it. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in all areas of life including taking care of yourself and your family.

Also, check out When Mothering Feels Too Hard. It’s not just for baby moms. 

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Comment Below with your self-care tips for busy moms!

Think about it and let me know your favorite practical self-care tip in the comments.