I’m a busy mom who needed to find ways to wind down and recharge my mind and body. I found 11 simple solutions for moms to make self care a top priority, because if mom’s not happy, then no one is!
Do you feel like your mom life is weighing heavily on you? Are all of the questions and challenges for motherhood making it difficult to focus on anything else, even yourself sometimes! If so, then I have good news.
I want this experience with stress relief techniques that are effective but also quick-fix without taking too much time out or costing an arm + leg financially–so let’s get started right away.
You can tell yourself that you are fine, but deep down inside it is just not true. It’s okay to say that you’re exhausted and do not know where the day went.
No one has the perfect life or ideal family, so don’t try to pretend that your life is anyone else’s – it never will be.
If you think that wind down time after long busy days with kids sounds like an oxymoron, stop for a second and think again.
There are so many little things you can do at the end of each day to wind down and re-charge without spending too much time on them.
Here are some simple ways for moms to wind down and recharge:
Mommy Me-Time
Self-care isn’t something most of us prioritize, but did you know that taking care of your mental and physical well being can actually make for a better motherhood?
The typical self-care advice looks like this: make sure to eat well, find time for exercise, and get enough sleep. Wow! How enlightening. Why didn’t I think of that?
In reality, lots of moms are often pressed for time, and when the kids aren’t in school it’s even harder. That doesn’t mean you should give up on self-care though!
The benefits speak volumes; prioritize yourself while feeling less overwhelmed so that patience lasts through your children seeing how much better things go with increased efforts from mommy dearest herself.
1. Take a Hot Bubble Bath
At the end of the day, one of the best ways to relax, is a nice hot bubble bath. It’s the perfect way to wind down after work or school and enjoy some alone time with your thoughts without any distractions.
You probably already tried this before to relax, but now it will be even more pleasant after a long day with kids.
It will also help you unwind and center yourself, which comes in handy especially to busy moms.
Fill up a tub of warm water, drop in a bath bomb, light some candles, put on some soft music and just relax for a while! Speaking of bath bombs, always have one handy with these easy DIY bath bomb recipes.
2. Get Cozy and Read a Book
You know what? This is probably one of the best wind down ritual tips out there! Reading not only relaxes you but also stimulates your brain, increases creativity and even boosts memory!
Pick up an old good book or read a new one – reading will help you wind down your day much easier.
Benefits of reading to reduce stress:
- Helps you focus on something other than stress
- Helps improve mood
- Restful night’s sleep
- Improve relationships with other (e.g. reading time with your kids)
Some of the favorite books that helped me unwind for a busy day:
- Where the Crawdads Sings by Delia Owens
- The Last Thing He told Me by Laura Dave
- Virgin River Collection by Robyn Carr
- The Naturalist by Andrew Mayne
- The Stopover by TL Swan
- Unspeakable Things by Jess Lourey
3. Just Relax with your Favorite TV show
One of my favorite things in relaxing with a good show, it helps clear my mind of all the things that need to get done, like laundry. There’s always laundry. Try watching your favorite TV show is a great way to relax.
I personally love Outlander because I’m a sucker for a good romance and period shows. Definity, put your kids to bed before watching this show and pour a glass of wine, it’s one of the favorite ways to wind down. If you’re feeling overwhelmed with work or the kids, just watch an episode of this show – trust me on this one!
4. Phone Call to a Friend or Family Member
A good conversation can be really helpful not only for wind downs but also on busy days when everyone needs some support from others. Talk to another mom. You’ll feel better! Talking to another mom is one of the best ways to de-stress.
It’s so nice when you can get a fresh perspective from someone who has been there and understands your situation as well, not only that, but she also knows some great advice for any problems in life!
Talking with other moms brings comfort because they always have empathy which makes us feel better about our own experiences even if it feels impossible sometimes.
5. Do Something that Makes You Happy
Entertaining yourself for a while is a must. It’s okay to wind down by watching TV, going on the Internet or watching Tik Tok on your phone, but you should also feel free to do something else that makes you happy.
You can start a new hobby like rock painting. Painting rocks is a creative way for me to just relax. Best thing about rock painting, is that it’s a small canvas and can easily be down in under 30 minutes! Check out my craft blog on how to get started painting rocks.
6. Wine Down with Friends
When you make time for your friendships, it is easier to weather the storms of motherhood. Spend an evening eating out and winding down with friends or taking a class together; catch up every few weeks!
Having someone in life who has one’s back during difficult moments can help tremendously – whether they’re there physically holding hands through thick and thin comes second nature when caring deeply about another person-and this kind gesture may just be what brings people closer than ever before.
Plus, you can have playdates with the kids during the week. Playdates always help the time pass faster with other new moms as they are a good support group.
7. Let the Music Flow!
Listening to your favorite songs is another way you can relieve stress. Find a song that makes your feel good and take some time out of the day for yourself! Better yet, find something upbeat or danceable- any type will do as long as it gets those feet moving again (and helps release all this pent-up energy).
When we’re stressed out, certain genres may seem like they’d be more fitting than others so try making sure whatever track has got YOU in mind by using these suggestions:
- healthy alternative to other coping mechanisms
- helps improve mood
- improves focus
- the right music can be an effective release from stress
8. Get Back to Nature
It can be hard to find time for ourselves when we’re juggling motherhood and work. But don’t forget that nature has a calming effect on people!
Try a brisk walk around the block or take your kids out into the wilderness, go camping or spend an afternoon in the park with iced tea by yourself- being surrounded by trees will make it easier for all of you breathe better again.
If a camping trip is in order, then we have you covered. Check out our camping printable packing list and make-ahead camping meals less stress you so you can spend time re-charging your batteries with the whole family in the fresh air.
Health Benefits of Walking in Nature:
- Improves mood
- Improves sleep quality
- Exercise for your body and mind
- Improves focus
- Helps manage stress and anxiety
9. Practice Mediation or Yoga
There is nothing like decompressing with a good meditation or yoga session. Get your worries out of the way, take some deep breaths with some great exercise and practice self-care to recharge!
Benefits of Yoga for Moms:
- Improves mood and sleep quality
- Reduces stress, anxiety, depression, anger
- Increases focus and brain function
- Helps relieve pain in the body and mind from chronic stress by releasing tension through stretching poses.
- Releases neurotransmitters which produce feelings of happiness such as serotonin and dopamine.
- Increases energy levels and reduces fatigue
- Helps you wind down after a long day of parenting
10. Connect with your Pet
One way to wind down and re-charge without spending too much time on it is by playing with your pet. Research tells us that pets can reduce stress levels in humans, reduce anxiety levels, lower blood pressure, increase attention spans and promote relaxation.
So, grab a toy or two and some kibble and head outside for a playdate with your furry friend!
11. The Benefits of Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is a type of treatment that uses the natural essences of plants to improve one’s mood. If you are looking for a way to wind down and relax, aromatherapy may be the perfect solution.
Researchers have found that different scents stimulate parts of the brain associated with memory, emotions, and bodily functions. Some oils are used to evoke relaxation or happiness, while others are used to help maintain energy levels or boost mental alertness.
Aromatherapy is often used in tandem with other treatments including massage therapy, yoga, meditation, reflexology, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. People who have anxiety disorders have also reported that aromatherapy has helped them to feel less stressed about their symptoms.
There are many different types of aromatherapies, each with its own benefits. The most common type used for relaxation is called inhalation therapy. Inhalation therapies are performed by placing a few drops of oil on a tissue and inhaling the scent deeply while allowing yourself to relax and breathe normally.
Another way aromatherapy can help you wind down at night is by using it as part of a full body or foot massage. There are many different essential oil ‘s that can be used to create the perfect relaxing experience for your partner or yourself, including lavender oil which is known to help with insomnia and anxiety.
Other essential oils such as jasmine will assist in relieving pain, reducing stress levels, encouraging restful sleep, and boosting the immune system. Try using a combination of essential oils along with your favorite massage oil for an experience that will leave you feeling totally rejuvenated!
Another way to use aromatherapy as part of a relaxation routine is by adding it into your bath water at night time before bed. The perfect blend can include lavender, jasmine, lemon balm or chamomile.
These oils are known to help people fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer by reducing their heart rate while soothing the body. Lavender is also great for boosting your concentration levels when you are feeling sluggish in the morning so that you can get through your day without being too tired or distracted at work.
We know as moms; we are often so busy that it can be hard to take care of ourselves on a regular basis. But self-care is important, and it’s not selfish! As moms, we must make enough time for ourselves, or we will burn out from the stress.
I hope these stress-relieving ideas help a lot of moms with practicing self-care for our mental health and for our bodies.
