Being a mum is amazing, right? Most of the time anyway! The love between mama and little person is the best feeling in the whole world, a little hand in yours, a sleeping face, those precious I love yous and amazing cuddles. BEST. JOB. EVER.
But all too often we can get a bit overwhelmed at being on 24/7. Cue time for mama, even if its only a few minutes to take a deep breath and breathe some fresh air, 5 minutes stretching or a quiet bubble bath with the door closed. Taking a few minutes for yourself is essential to make you a happier person and ultimately the best you you can be.
Do NOT feel guilty about taking some time for yourself - not time to work, not time to catch up with chores, time to just relax and be you. Everyone else will survive!
We mums need to see the value in taking some time out and our partners and family need to do without just for a short time. No-one is suggesting you head out on the town till the early hours, or even take a whole day or afternoon off, but a few minutes will be just enough to recharge your batteries and come back to the family full of energy and love.
Without those vital breaks, you'll be at the end of your tether, frazzled and ready to snap. Surely they're better off without you for a little while rather than have you turn into screaming mama bear?!
It's OK to take time for yourself.
Take a little while to refresh, recharge and come back to centre. You deserve it!
Here are 101 things you can do to take care of yourself and get that essential break you need.
Try one today.
101 Simple Self-care Ideas for Busy Mums
1. Eat a piece of fruit in the garden on your own and look at the flowers.
2. Put your feet up and read a book for 10 minutes.
3. Take a yoga class.
4. Spend as long as you want in the shower.
5. Watch a film that makes you laugh.
6. Have coffee or lunch with a friend.
7. Go for a walk in nature.
8. Take a nap.
9. Pet your cat or dog.
10. Take an Epsom salts bath.
11. Go to a coffee shop.
12. Buy yourself flowers.
13. Phone a friend or relative overseas for a good catch up.
14. Visit your old college or haunts of your youth.
15. Treat yourself to a favourite dessert or special food.
16. Get a facial or massage.
17. Try a new recipe out and cook just for fun.
18. Start a gratitude journal.
19. Get up early and watch the sunrise.
20. Buy something special to you like a new lipstick or a new book.
21. Plan your dream holiday.
22. Get your hair cut or re-styled.
23. Write a letter.
24. Gaze out of the window.
25. Close the door and take a long, hot bubble bath.
26. Listen to a podcast.
27. Ask your partner to make you a surprise dinner.
28. Volunteer your time at an animal shelter or old people's home or homeless shelter.
29. Buy a great bottle of wine.
30. Take an exercise class.
31. Put some favourite music on in the car and sing as loud as you can.
32. Do nothing.
33. Spend time by a river, lake or the sea and breathe deep.
34. Have an early night.
35. Practice a skill like a language you know or instrument you play.
36. Meditate.
37. Get on a train or in your car and go somewhere new.
38. Buy your favourite chocolate bar or box.
39. Write in your journal.
40. Get your nails done.
41. Schedule some 'me time' every day.
42. Take an online class.
43. Visit an elderly relative.
44. Do some gardening, even if it's just pottering about!
45. Delegate one task on your to do list or hire someone to do it for you.
46. Watch your favourite TV show.
47. Marie Kondo your drawers.
48. Go window shopping or try on some clothes in your favourite shop.
49. Write down all the reasons you're a great mum.
50. Re-read a favourite novel.
51. Hug someone.
52. Draw or paint.
53. Take some time to set goals and re-think your priorities in life. Plan your life according to those.
54. Learn a new craft.
55. Sit in a park or outside a cafe and people watch.
56. Say no to something you don't want to do but felt you should agree to.
57. Take your shoes and socks off and walk in the grass.
58. Put on a face pack and hair masque and lie down for 10 minutes.
59. Take your dog, or borrow a dog, for a walk.
60. Drink water.
61. Spend time in the sun.
62. Wear your 'best' clothes.
63. Set up a bird table and watch who visits.
64. Practice deep breathing.
65. Take a bike ride.
66. Play a board game.
67. Declutter one cupboard or drawer.
68. Visit a local stately home or other tourist attraction.
69. Phone your best friend.
70. Go for a walk in nature.
71. Stay in your pyjamas all day.
72. Lie on your back and watch the clouds in the sky.
73. Explore a new town.
74. Dance.
75. Learn a new skill.
76. Have a lie in - you could even ask for breakfast in bed!
77. Plan mum dates for you and each of your children.
78. Write a letter to your child.
79. Turn off your phone for a day.
80. Watch an insect.
81. Donate your unused items to a charity shop.
82. Make a new friend.
83. Pray.
84. Go to the theatre.
85. Envision your best self and plan steps to become that person.
86. Go outside to look at the stars.
87. Start making only a 3 or 5 item to do list each day to stop overwhelm.
88. Try a new food.
89. Be present in each moment. Make mindfulness your daily practice.
90. Do some colouring.
91. Watch an old home movie or look at photos.
92. Buy new sheets or just make your bed with fresh linen.
93. Learn how to stop negative thinking.
94. Do a jigsaw, a soduko, a crossword or a puzzle book.
95. Use your 'best' china.
96. Eat something healthy.
97. Go to church or another place of worship.
98. Buy a magazine and read it with a great cup of coffee.
99. Day dream.
100. Sew, knit or crochet something.
101. Write a list of all your accomplishments.
Which one will you do first?
Schedule some time for self-care so that you can be the best mum you can be!
Want more self-care and wellbeing ideas?
How to Fit Relaxation and 'Me' Time into Your Every Day
55 Simple Ways to Choose Happy Every Day, Forever
How to Achieve a Better Work-Life Balance
Boost Your Energy in 9 Easy Steps
A 5 Step Plan to Reduce Stress and Overwhelm
50 Easy Ways to Practice Self-care
Pin it:
But all too often we can get a bit overwhelmed at being on 24/7. Cue time for mama, even if its only a few minutes to take a deep breath and breathe some fresh air, 5 minutes stretching or a quiet bubble bath with the door closed. Taking a few minutes for yourself is essential to make you a happier person and ultimately the best you you can be.
Do NOT feel guilty about taking some time for yourself - not time to work, not time to catch up with chores, time to just relax and be you. Everyone else will survive!
We mums need to see the value in taking some time out and our partners and family need to do without just for a short time. No-one is suggesting you head out on the town till the early hours, or even take a whole day or afternoon off, but a few minutes will be just enough to recharge your batteries and come back to the family full of energy and love.
Without those vital breaks, you'll be at the end of your tether, frazzled and ready to snap. Surely they're better off without you for a little while rather than have you turn into screaming mama bear?!
It's OK to take time for yourself.
Take a little while to refresh, recharge and come back to centre. You deserve it!
Here are 101 things you can do to take care of yourself and get that essential break you need.
Try one today.
101 Simple Self-care Ideas for Busy Mums
1. Eat a piece of fruit in the garden on your own and look at the flowers.
2. Put your feet up and read a book for 10 minutes.
3. Take a yoga class.
4. Spend as long as you want in the shower.
5. Watch a film that makes you laugh.
6. Have coffee or lunch with a friend.
7. Go for a walk in nature.
8. Take a nap.
9. Pet your cat or dog.
10. Take an Epsom salts bath.
11. Go to a coffee shop.
12. Buy yourself flowers.
13. Phone a friend or relative overseas for a good catch up.
14. Visit your old college or haunts of your youth.
15. Treat yourself to a favourite dessert or special food.
16. Get a facial or massage.
17. Try a new recipe out and cook just for fun.
18. Start a gratitude journal.
19. Get up early and watch the sunrise.
20. Buy something special to you like a new lipstick or a new book.
21. Plan your dream holiday.
22. Get your hair cut or re-styled.
23. Write a letter.
24. Gaze out of the window.
25. Close the door and take a long, hot bubble bath.
26. Listen to a podcast.
27. Ask your partner to make you a surprise dinner.
28. Volunteer your time at an animal shelter or old people's home or homeless shelter.
29. Buy a great bottle of wine.
30. Take an exercise class.
31. Put some favourite music on in the car and sing as loud as you can.
32. Do nothing.
33. Spend time by a river, lake or the sea and breathe deep.
34. Have an early night.
35. Practice a skill like a language you know or instrument you play.
36. Meditate.
37. Get on a train or in your car and go somewhere new.
38. Buy your favourite chocolate bar or box.
39. Write in your journal.
40. Get your nails done.
41. Schedule some 'me time' every day.
42. Take an online class.
43. Visit an elderly relative.
44. Do some gardening, even if it's just pottering about!
45. Delegate one task on your to do list or hire someone to do it for you.
46. Watch your favourite TV show.
47. Marie Kondo your drawers.
48. Go window shopping or try on some clothes in your favourite shop.
49. Write down all the reasons you're a great mum.
50. Re-read a favourite novel.
51. Hug someone.
52. Draw or paint.
53. Take some time to set goals and re-think your priorities in life. Plan your life according to those.
54. Learn a new craft.
55. Sit in a park or outside a cafe and people watch.
56. Say no to something you don't want to do but felt you should agree to.
57. Take your shoes and socks off and walk in the grass.
58. Put on a face pack and hair masque and lie down for 10 minutes.
59. Take your dog, or borrow a dog, for a walk.
60. Drink water.
61. Spend time in the sun.
62. Wear your 'best' clothes.
63. Set up a bird table and watch who visits.
64. Practice deep breathing.
65. Take a bike ride.
66. Play a board game.
67. Declutter one cupboard or drawer.
68. Visit a local stately home or other tourist attraction.
69. Phone your best friend.
70. Go for a walk in nature.
71. Stay in your pyjamas all day.
72. Lie on your back and watch the clouds in the sky.
73. Explore a new town.
74. Dance.
75. Learn a new skill.
76. Have a lie in - you could even ask for breakfast in bed!
77. Plan mum dates for you and each of your children.
78. Write a letter to your child.
79. Turn off your phone for a day.
80. Watch an insect.
81. Donate your unused items to a charity shop.
82. Make a new friend.
83. Pray.
84. Go to the theatre.
85. Envision your best self and plan steps to become that person.
86. Go outside to look at the stars.
87. Start making only a 3 or 5 item to do list each day to stop overwhelm.
88. Try a new food.
89. Be present in each moment. Make mindfulness your daily practice.
90. Do some colouring.
91. Watch an old home movie or look at photos.
92. Buy new sheets or just make your bed with fresh linen.
93. Learn how to stop negative thinking.
94. Do a jigsaw, a soduko, a crossword or a puzzle book.
95. Use your 'best' china.
96. Eat something healthy.
97. Go to church or another place of worship.
98. Buy a magazine and read it with a great cup of coffee.
99. Day dream.
100. Sew, knit or crochet something.
101. Write a list of all your accomplishments.
Which one will you do first?
Schedule some time for self-care so that you can be the best mum you can be!
Want more self-care and wellbeing ideas?
How to Fit Relaxation and 'Me' Time into Your Every Day
55 Simple Ways to Choose Happy Every Day, Forever
How to Achieve a Better Work-Life Balance
Boost Your Energy in 9 Easy Steps
A 5 Step Plan to Reduce Stress and Overwhelm
50 Easy Ways to Practice Self-care
Pin it:
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