50+ Self-Care Ideas for Moms Who Are Super Busy

This probably isn’t a huge surprise, but as a busy mom, it can be super hard to find time for self-care.

In fact, a recent survey conducted by Healthy Women and Working Mother magazine revealed that 78% of women say they put off their own self-care because they’re so busy taking care of others.

The fact is that with kids to take care of, meals to prepare, jobs to fulfill, and homes to keep in order, we often don’t have a whole day to devote to a hot stone massage, pedicures, manicures, and wash, cut, and style!

That’s why we’ve worked hard to create a list of great self-care ideas for moms like you!

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We Need Simple Self Care Ideas

As always, our goal here at Jen Bradley|MOMs is to help you simplify your life, not feel like you have one more thing to do (even if it is self-care!).

Every one of these self-care ideas for moms is something you can do in 30 minutes or less.

Because we know how precious every minute of your day can be, we’ve divided our list of simple self-care ideas for moms into four sections, based on how long each activity will probably take.

Of course, if you have more time to spend, go for it!!

Keep reading to check out:

Self-care ideas for moms that take 30 minutes or less
Ideas for self-care that take 20 minutes or less
Self-care ideas you can do in 10 minutes or less
Self-care ideas that require NO extra time (yep, it’s possible!)

Simple Self-Care Ideas for Moms – 30 minutes or less

Call an old friend
Wake up 30 minutes before your kids
Try a new exercise regimen

Start a new morning routine
Enjoy a warm bath or shower
Go for a walk
Spend 30 minutes doing your hobby
Do some yoga
Go to the library
Visit the Farmer’s Market
Have a “no alarm” morning
Declutter a drawer in your home

Simple Self-Care Ideas that take 20 minutes or less

Journal
Watch something funny on YouTube
Read a favorite book for 20 minutes
Color in a coloring book
Give yourself a mini-massage
Sit outside and observe nature
Meditate
Start a bedtime routine
Put on makeup
Give yourself a manicure or pedicure
Take a 10-20 minute nap
Stretch
Do a small act of service for a friend
Take care of your shoes
Clean out your car
Watch a sunrise
See the sunset
Sign up for grocery delivery or a meal service
Style your hair

Self-Care Ideas for Moms – Less than 10 minutes

Write a thank-you note
Try a new herbal tea
Schedule your next dental or doctor appointment
Try a new beauty product
Get your car washed
Repeat 5 positive affirmations
Write down 5 things you are thankful for
Pet a dog
Put on a real outfit
Declutter your handbag or diaper bag
Have a brain dump
Observe the stars at night
Drink your coffee while it’s warm
Have a personal dance party
Buy a new pillow
Cuddle with your kids or partner
Get rid of old pajamas
Clean your makeup brushes
Buy yourself flowers for your bedroom or kitchen counter
Sit outside and watch the clouds float by
Buy a new notebook and pens

Self-Care Ideas that take NO Extra Time

Drink 80 oz. of water throughout the day
Try a new face mask
Listen to an uplifting podcast or audiobook
Take the day off of social media
Practice deep breathing
Set an earlier bedtime
Turn your phone to silent for a morning or afternoon
Try using a sleep mask
Use blue-light blocking glasses in the evening
Start taking a multi-vitamin (check with your doctor first!)

Why Self-Care is Hard for Moms

One of the trickiest things about self-care is that it doesn’t just happen by accident.

According to research, the average mom reports only getting about 17 minutes of unscheduled “me time” every day!

Instead, of waiting for self-care time to fall into our laps, we need to plan and prepare for it!

This is why we created an awesome free 30-Day Self-Care Challenge for Moms to help you start a pattern of regular self-care.

You’ll find an undated calendar and tons of information about most of the self-care activities we’ve already shared above. Doing this challenge may be just the thing you need to help you start making time for self-care!

Why self-care is so important

Emma Bennett, LCSW, who specializes in working with new moms, told Good Housekeeping that:

“Self-care is a necessity, not an indulgence. We need to nurture ourselves just like we nurture our children. If we don’t take care of ourselves, feelings of depletion, resentment, and isolation could potentially arise.

If self-care is something you’ve felt guilty doing in the past, remember: “self-care is a necessity, not an indulgence.”

The familiar saying “You can’t pour from an empty cup” is especially true in motherhood.

And the opposite is also true: When you have a full cup, you have something to pour.

Taking time for yourself and your needs really does mean that you will be a better mom for your kids!

Less effective methods of self-care

Finally, it’s important to recognize that there are a lot of things that we do that we think are “self-care,” but in reality, that may not be the case.

Here’s a quick list of things that we might erroneously label as self-care:

scrolling through social media
shopping with no purpose
staying in our pajamas all-day
drinking excessively
gossiping with friends
browsing through magazines

While these activities might seem fun or relaxing in the moment, they often result in feelings of decreased self-esteem over time.

Final thoughts about these self-care ideas for moms

We hope these lists of quick self-care ideas for moms will be super helpful to you!

Finding time for self-care isn’t always easy, but we know that it IS important and can have long-lasting positive benefits for you and your whole family!

And before you go, don’t forget to grab the free 30-Day Self Care Challenge for Moms from the Jen Bradley|MOMs Free Printable Library right here!

What other self-care ideas for moms would you add to this list?

50+ Self-Care Ideas for Moms Who Are Super Busy

Hi there! I’m Jen and I’m so glad you’re here. I am a mom who believes that meaningful connections with our families can happen in small and simple ways. Read More …