Why Self-Care Should Be Non-Negotiable for Busy Moms
As busy moms, quite often we find ourselves acting as the glue that holds everything together. It can feel like every minute of our day is devoted to others as we manage household chores, care for the kids, volunteer at the school, and balance countless other responsibilities in between! Regardless, it's crucial for every busy mom to understand this: Taking time for yourself is not a luxury—it’s a necessity. Self-care is not selfish; it’s essential for your well-being and, by extension, your family’s well-being.
Thanks to the rise of social media, the image of the "supermom"—the one who effortlessly juggles work, family, and everything in between—is an ideal that many busy moms strive to meet. Sadly, the constant pressure to live up to these impossible standards can lead to mom burnout, resentment, and even a loss of personal identity. (Yes, I’m speaking from personal experience.)
The biggest problem surrounding most busy moms is that we often put our own needs last, thinking that by pushing through, everything will fall into place. But neglecting self-care means that we can’t show up as our best self for those who rely the most on us. It can also lead to chronic stress, weight gain, depression, insomnia, and so many more health issues. This is why, as a health and nutrition coach, I am so passionate about the need for moms to prioritize self-care…once mastered, it can literally add years to your life!
Why Self-Care Should Be Non-Negotiable for Busy Moms
It's the Small Moments of Self-Care that Matter
One of the biggest challenges for busy moms is finding time for self-care amidst all the demands of daily life. While it may seem difficult to carve out time, self-care doesn’t require hours at the spa or weekend getaways (although those are wonderful too!). It’s about finding small, meaningful moments of peace throughout your day.
Whether it’s enjoying a quiet cup of coffee before the kids wake up, listening to your favorite song while folding laundry, sneaking in a quick walk around the block, or soaking in the tub after the kids go to bed…these small moments add up. And for busy moms, these simple self-care activities can significantly improve your mental and physical well-being – which can lower cortisol levels, allow for better sleep, and ultimately improve energy levels!
Reclaiming Your Identity Beyond Motherhood
Motherhood is a beautiful and rewarding journey, but it can also be all-consuming, especially for busy moms with young children and it’s easy to lose sight of who you were before becoming a mom—the girl with passions, hobbies, and dreams of her own! Taking time for yourself is a way to reconnect with that person and nurture the aspects of your identity that go beyond motherhood.
Surprisingly, a lot of the busy moms that I work with don’t realize that they’ve actually lost the connection with who they once were until they start focusing on themselves. (As a health and fitness coach, my focus is on helping moms learn how to achieve their weight loss goals while balancing the demands of motherhood.) After a few weeks of working towards their own goals, they are often able to see just how much happiness and joy those self-care moments are bringing them…and that their families are reaping the benefits too, because as the saying goes, “when mama’s happy, everyone’s happy.”
But seriously…
Remember, you are not just a caregiver; you are a whole person with your own needs, desires, and goals, and it is OK to keep this part of you separate from your “mom” identity. Whether it’s revisiting a hobby you once loved, setting aside time to read a book, hitting the gym, or simply taking a few moments each day to reflect and recharge, these acts of self-care are crucial in maintaining your sense of self, especially for busy moms who spend most of the day caring for everyone else.
Practical Self-Care Tips
Here are some actionable steps for how to incorporate self-care into your daily routine as a busy mom:
Schedule It In: Treat self-care like any other important appointment. Block out time on your calendar, even if it’s just 10 minutes, and honor that time as you would any other commitment. Busy moms need to make self-care a non-negotiable part of their daily routine. For me, my non-negotiable self-care times are in the afternoon when I workout and in the evening, after dinner, when I take a hot bath.
Start Small: You don’t have to make drastic changes to your routine. Start with small, manageable adjustments, like a 10-minute morning journaling session, an hour nap while the baby is sleeping, or an evening walk around the block. Consistency is key for busy moms who want to establish lasting self-care habits.
Ask for Help: Don’t hesitate to ask for help. Whether it’s your partner, family members, or hiring a sitter, getting support can free up time for you to focus on yourself. Don’t feel guilty about seeking help—we all need help from time to time, but especially as busy moms! We need a mental break because parenting is just tough and hard on the brain sometimes!
Release the Guilt: It’s easy to feel guilty about taking time for yourself, but remember that self-care makes you a better mom, partner, and friend. Let go of the guilt and embrace the fact that you deserve this time. Every busy mom needs to understand that self-care is not a luxury but a necessity.
Being a mom is one of the most rewarding roles you can have, but it’s not the only role you play. You are also a woman who deserves care, attention, and love. By taking time for yourself, you’re not only improving your quality (and quantity) of life, recharging your own mental and physical energy, but also ensuring that you can show up fully for those you love. So, take those small moments to recharge and reconnect with yourself, and embrace the fact that you deserve to feel happy, healthy, and whole.
