Self-Care for Busy Mums: Tips, Tricks and Ideas
You're a busy mum. You've got a million things to do and a million places to be. You don't have time for yourself, let alone time to practice self-love. But what if I told you that self-love is one of the most important things you can do for yourself? Not only will it make you feel better, but it will also make you a better mum.
Here I share with you some tips, tricks, and ideas for how to practice self-love as a busy mum and what I do to keep level.
Make Time for Yourself Every Day and Schedule that S**t
No matter how busy you are, you should make time for yourself every single day. Put it in your calendar! Even if it's just 10 minutes to step outside for some fresh air or 20 minutes to read your favourite book, carve out some time that is just for you.
When Archer was a newborn, it felt IMPOSSIBLE to take five as he never slept during the day unless he was strapped to me. I tried it all and eventually overtime, we managed to work out our routine but looking back, I wish I had been kinder to myself and took the opportunity to rest too.
Nowadays, I meditate everyday using the Insight Timer app which is free and I can choose what I want to do depending on my mood and length of time I have. This is your time to relax, rejuvenate, and recharge. You'll be a better mum for it.
Get Moving
Exercise is a great way to practice self-love. Not only does it release endorphins (aka "happy hormones"), but it also gives you more energy and helps you sleep better at night. It doesn’t have to be a super intense HIT session either, a gentle walk with bub in the pram or some yoga while your precious one lies comfortably in their newborn baby nest will make you feel invigorated from the inside out.
My favourite way to move is to dance! That’s why every Thursday you can find with a bunch of other inspiring mumpreneurs swinging our hips at Samba. It also works up a real sweat and the coffee and chats after are just a bonus.
So make sure to schedule in some “fun” activities. Just because you’re a mum doesn’t mean that your life has to be all work and no play!
Don’t be Afraid to Ask for Help
It’s okay to admit that you can’t do it all! No one walking this Earth can be the best version of themselves all day everyday, let alone when you have a young family. Ask your partner, family members, or friends for help when you need it. Or maybe even outsource tasks like cleaning, or subscribe to a meal delivery service to free up some of your time.
I struggled when Archer was young to ask for help and just assumed people would know, WRONG! If anything, they thought I was managing perfectly well.
In a study carried out by Birchbox, it was found that 39% of parents felt guilt about taking time out for themselves when compared to non-parents. However, in a report by Viargo, it was found that 75% of people believe self-care can alleviate stress.
So let’s ditch the guilts for some guilty pleasures instead and start reaching out to your network.
Connect with Friends and Family
One of the best ways to practice self-love is to connect with friends and family members who make you feel good about yourself. Spending time with people who love and support you can help boost your self-esteem and remind you that you are loved. And just when you think they’re helping you out, you’ve helped them, everyone’s cup is filled.
Give Yourself Grace
Nobody is perfect, least of all mums! Try saying ‘sorry’ less and try saying something nice to yourself each day. Remember to give yourself grace when things don’t go as planned. We are all doing the best we can!
I work with a business coach and every day, I message her three things that I love about myself. At first it was kind of weird and I could only think of random stuff like, ‘I love that I’m tall’, or, ‘I love that I can dance with Archer’, but as the weeks went by, I started to get comfortable with the exercise and was willing to go deep! I’m now less critical of myself and don’t clog up my brain thinking about what I’m not good at. I challenge you to do the same exercise and perhaps message a friend or family member. Heck, send me an email at hello@littlearcherandco.com.au and let’s grow together.
Practicing self-love is important for all mums, but it can be especially difficult for busy mums who are always taking care of everyone else. Hopefully these tips will help you find ways to practice self-love even when you're short on time! Remember, if you don't take care of yourself, then you won't be able to take care of anyone else. So make sure to put your own needs first from time to time and fill that cup!
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