As moms, we always put our kids, our marriages, housework, everything first before ourselves, to the point of exhaustion.
However, self-care is essential for mental health and will lead to a balanced, healthy, and happy life. Learning to balance each of these areas can be a challenge but it’s essential to remember that you are capable of loving and honoring yourself and that you have the power to develop self-care habits that will nourish your life.
But between social distancing, homeschooling our kiddos, and just trying to keep things afloat at home, we need a serious dose of self-care now more than ever. Check out our self-care guide on Winding Down to help you decompress and fill your cup during this stressful time. Below, we’ve compiled a list of tips, ideas, and resources for moms to practice self-care at home, from baths to books to skincare. Tuck your little ones into bed early and treat yourself to some TLC tonight.
1. SWEAT IT OUT
For many moms, taking a break to go to the gym or a workout class is an essential part of their day. And while you may not be ready to attend your local gym and your pilates class has been canceled, you can still stick to your routine and get a daily workout at home. Most local gyms have embraced online workout classes. The beauty of an at home workout is that you can choose your own timing. Whether you prefer to do it before everyone wakes up or while the kids are napping or after they go to bed, you get to choose your own timing.
Some of our favorite fitness instagram accounts are:
2. TREAT YOURSELF TO A DIY MANICURE
If you’re anything like us, you’re probably missing your regular visit to the nail salon right about now. You can even have a mommy-daughter manicure date! We are loving this Cuticle Lab Set from Deborah Lippman.
3. TAKE A TIME OUT
We can all use a moment of calm right about now, and one of the best ways to find that is with mediation. Take time to reflect on what you've learned during this time and what is has meant to you and your family. Whether you’re new to mediation and have no clue where to start, or you’ve been practicing for some time, we love the @headspace app for simple guided meditations of all levels.
4. SOAK IT UP
One of our favorite ways to take a break and unwind at night is with a good hot bath. There’s nothing like a long bath to help you relax and detox after a long day. Add a bath bomb or some bath salts for even more benefits. We love the Musee Bath Bombs and Fincheberry Fizzy Salt Soaks.
5. UP YOUR SKINCARE GAME
Sticking to your skincare routine or even upping your skincare game while you’re stuck at home is one the best ways to treat yourself to some TLC right now. We are loving Noto Botanics. This clean brand celebrates uniqueness and diversity through natural beauty where you can be as minimal or as expressive as you wish. Read more skincare tips on our interview with Aimee-Claire Quinney Feland from The Skincare Retreat.
6. READ A GOOD BOOK
If you’ve run out of shows to watch or just want a break from screen time, it’s the perfect time to get lost in a good book. Check out Reese Whitherspoon's Hello Sunshine Book Club for suggestions about what to read.
7. CONNECT WITH FRIENDS
Just because you can’t have a girls night out, it doesn’t mean you can’t connect and catch up! Plan a happy hour Houseparty, FaceTime or Zoom call. Get your favorite libations and snacks. Even just picking up the phone and calling a friend or family member to touch base and have a quick chat is a great way to lift your spirits and get a dose of social interaction while at home. A phone call is far more personal than a text message, by far. We love this Vogue article about the return of the social phone call in the era of coronavirus.
8. BE SELFISH
If you can’t take care of yourself, then you can’t care for others. Being selfish is critical.Take 30 minutes of the day just for yourself. Do whatever you want during this ME time. You'll be healthier, you'll have better relationships and you will be happy.