30 Simple Self-Care Ideas for Busy Moms to Recharge

All you ever seem to hear is that self-care is good for you and essential – but honestly, who on earth has the time? Let’s be honest, self-care for moms can feel hard.

Finding even five minutes can seem impossible between the endless snack requests, mystery stains on your shirt, and a never-ending to-do list.

As a mom, your default setting is taking care of everyone else first; however, to allow yourself time for self-care, the most important thing is prioritizing yourself, no matter what. You must look after your own needs so you can show up for others.

This doesn’t mean you aren’t taking care of everything else, but what it does mean is that you are also taking care of yourself.

And by the way – this is the only way you can sustain your huge list of responsibilities long term. 

Let’s put YOU back on the priority list.

Here’s what you’ll find below…

• The reason self-care is SO important for moms
• Why Moms in particular struggle with self-care
• 30 doable self-care ideas for moms
• 5 simple ways to make time for self-care, starting today
• Self-care routine examples

Let’s get into it!

Why Self-Care Is Important for Moms

According to Psychology Today,

“Self-care is linked to improved mental health, with benefits like enhanced self-esteem and self-worth, increased optimism, a positive outlook on life, and lower levels of anxiety and depression.“

Regular self-care helps you:

• Care for yourself in various areas of life so you’re better equipped to handle parenting demands
• Make time for yourself so you can better process emotions, handle conflicts, and improve relationships
• Stay calm and patient, which can positively influence your interactions with your children, partner, and others
• Look after your physical health so you can show up for your kids and family in more meaningful ways

All in all self care allows you to look after yourself so you can maintain a sense of calm and balance this is crazy busy world and lives we’re all living.

Why Moms Struggle with Self-Care

Many moms know self-care is important but still find it hard to prioritize.

Many moms can feel…

• Guilty: Moms feel guilty for focusing on themselves, worrying it takes time away from their children or partner. This guilt can prevent moms from recognizing that caring for themselves ultimately benefits the entire family.
• Overwhelmed: Between work, childcare, and household responsibilities, moms often feel there’s no room in their day for personal time
• Social pressure: Parenting standards can make moms feel they must always be productive or available, leaving almost no time for rest.

Understanding these barriers can help moms find creative ways to make self-care work within their lifestyle.

30 Self-Care Ideas for Moms

Self-care doesn’t have to be time-consuming or expensive for moms, in fact it can be quite simple, so here are 30 ideas that fit into even the busiest days:

Quick Activities (5-10 Minutes):

1. Get outside for a morning or afternoon break – spending time in the fresh air and sunshine is the perfect way to boost your mood

2. Stretch your body or do a few yoga poses – even just 5 minutes of this can help relieve stress and allow you to create inner peace

3. Listen to some feel-good music

4. Take a mindfulness break with a hot cup of tea or coffee – savour every sip to fully enjoy being in the moment

5. Write down three things you’re grateful for, then make sure to include why you are grateful

👉 For more quick self care ideas, check out this post: 75 5-Minute Self Care Ideas

Small Daily Routines:

These are great to add to your current daily routine – little things that will enhance your day and allow you to easily practice self care, even when things are busy.

6. Start your morning with five deep breaths, allowing you to calm your mind, reduce stress, and feel more grounded

7. Read a few pages or a chapter of a book you enjoy 

8. Light a candle or diffuse some essential oils while you do a chore – which believe it or not, can make that chore more bearable

9. Spend five minutes journaling about your thoughts and feelings – check out these self-reflection journal prompts for inspiration

10. Use rejuvenating foot cream before bed and spend a few minutes massaging it in (pure bliss!)

Social Self-Care Ideas:

Many times we don’t think of self-care as something we can do with others, but in fact, spending time with others socially is a form of self-care all on its own. 

So I encourage you to connect with others more socially, especially if you have some introverted qualities. It can truly fill your soul. 

11. Call someone you love – especially someone who boosts you mood

12. Invite a friend over for coffee, or pop by a friends house so they can put the kettle on

13. Find a walking buddy – so often we socialize by eating out, but getting exercise with a friend is just as good or even better

14. Join a supportive online (or in person) community where you can connect with other moms — Finding others with similar experiences can reduce feelings of isolation.

15. Ask your spouse or family for help with tasks so you can take a break

Creative Self-Care Activities:

16. Try coloring, doodling, or sketching for fun – you can use an adult coloring book, try bullet journaling or just freely draw

17. Start a creative hobby you’ve always wanted to try such as pottery, photography, dance – just because you’re a mom doesn’t mean hobbies are just for kids

18. If you love to cook, try a new recipe – and put some of your favorite tunes while you’re at it

19. Write a bucket list – either larger life bucket list, or a bucket list for the year

20. Make a vision board – this can be an extension of your bucket list or a vision board that represents something different such as the things you’re grateful for today

Physical Wellness:

21. Take a short walk at lunchtime – book it into your calendar as a recurring meeting to ensure you get out there regularly

22. Book yourself in for a massage, especially if you have work benefits that cover the cost

23. Do some YouTube workout videos – perfect if you’re stretched for time and you can’t leave the house

24. Take a gratitude walk – As you walk, you practice gratitude along the way, whether it’s focusing on your surroundings, someone important in your life, or taking an inner look at your personal capabilities.

25. Prioritize getting enough sleep – depending on your current stage of motherhood, this could be harder; however, if your kids are not infants and have a proper sleep schedule, make it a priority to get enough sleep time. 

Emotional Self-Care:

26. Practice mindfulness or guided meditation for a few minutes — Meditation helps you focus on the present and reduce stress

27. Take a gratitude walk – As you walk, you practice gratitude along the way, whether it’s focusing on your surroundings, someone important in your life, or taking an inner look at your personal capabilities.

28. Track your mood – this is important to understand how your activities during the day impact your feelings – Try my cute and creative mood tracker here to get started

29. Practice saying ‘no’ without feeling guilty

30. Do something nostalgic – look at old photos, call an old friend and reminisce or listen to some of your favorite tunes from when you were a teen

Tips to Make Time for Self-Care

Even with a busy schedule, you can find time for self-care with these strategies:

• Start Small: If you feel overwhelmed, begin with just one small act of self-care each day. Over time, these small moments can build into meaningful habits.
• Schedule It: Treat self-care like any other important appointment. Block time on your calendar for activities that refresh you, even if it’s just 10 minutes.
• Combine Activities: Pair self-care with tasks you already do. Listen to a podcast while folding laundry, or sip your favorite drink while answering emails.
• Ask for Help: Don’t hesitate to delegate tasks or share responsibilities. Whether it’s asking your partner to help with bedtime or arranging a playdate swap with a friend, creating space for yourself is easier when you have support.
• Set Boundaries: Learn to say no to activities or commitments that drain your energy. Prioritizing your well-being helps you better manage what truly matters.

Self Care Routine Examples for Moms

As Moms, we feel like there is no time for self-care – that it requires hours of free time, however, this is not the case. So, I wanted to share a few real-life examples of self-care that you might like to try.

• Morning: Wake up 15 minutes early to create time for a relaxing cup of tea or coffee that you can enjoy without having to microwave it. You can also spend 5 minutes journaling. 
• Creative break: Take 10 minutes to explore your creativity – draw, sketch or write
• Monthly friend time: Connect with friends by scheduling a recurring zoom call, coffee or brunch
• Bedtime routine: Spend 10 minutes stretching before bed, or you can even try a quick body scan meditation to help you relax. (See video below to get you started)

Final Thoughts

Self-care is not about changing your entire routine, but instead creating space for some nourishing activities within your current schedule. 

Yes, even as a busy mom, you can create time for self-care, but it will most likely be with little things to start.

These little things, however, really build up and can provide you with more balance and enjoyment in your week.

Self-care is also 100% needed so you can continue being the kind of mom you want to be and the best version of yourself. It sounds cliche – but you can not pour from an empty cup – nothing could be more true.

So, take this important time for you and commit yourself to practicing self-care as part of your daily routine. 

I’d love to know…

What self-care activities are you going to try as a mom?

Is there anything you do for self-care that is your constant go-to?

Share in the comments section below to inspire others.

More Resources for Your Self-Care Journey

• Building a Happy Week: Self-Care Worksheets
• 30 Day Self Care Challenge + Free Printable
• 75 5-Minute Self-Care Ideas for Body, Mind & Soul
• 10 Ways To Make Time for Yourself When It Feels Impossible
• 50 Self-Care Kit Ideas To Unwind