I know, I know. The topic of self-care and moms is played out. We all can’t “go for a massage” or “get our nails done” whenever we want as “self-care”. Don’t worry, those aren’t my ideas of self-care anyway. My approach to self-care is WAY different. Self-care for me is taking care of my mental health, making time for me to just “BE” and also, putting myself first. 

To me, the secret key to keeping and maintaining self-care time is creating an intentional approach to “me time”. This makes sense for everyone and if you have growth intentions (or known to most as resolutions) for yourself, I highly recommend that you add self-care to your to-do list. And while self-care looks different for each of us, its important to spend a little time focusing on ourselves- every single day. 

I am going to warn you now, this is a long read. But worth it if you want some support when it comes to self-care.

As mothers, we often think that self-care should be the least of our priorities.

We barely have time to accomplish our daily tasks, and carving a few minutes for ourselves seems to be a luxury that we cannot afford.

However, if we do not take care of our well-being as we do our loved ones, we end up creating an unhealthy and unhappy version of ourselves that we will surely regret in the long run.

Here are some simple self-care tips that can help you keep your mom’s sanity intact so you can carry on with your daily responsibilities. 

You get so busy taking care of your kids, the house, the chores, your work, that you forget to take a moment just for you.

Self-care is not just a nice concept for other people, but it can become a vital source of energy, peace, and calm during your hectic day.

Think you don’t have time to devote to yourself? If you have 5 minutes to spare, then you have got the time.

The following self-care activities can be completed in 5 minutes or less. And doing them can result in feeling a little better about yourself and more in control of your day and your life.

I was sitting at the shore of Bowman Lake in Glacier National Park, my toes dancing across the top of the glassy water making small ripples against its surface. My husband and children were off to the side of me, sorting through pebbles looking for the perfect skipping rocks. Their playful voices broke through what would otherwise be the silence of the woods – a sound that includes a whistle of the wind and far-off chirps from mountain songbirds that I know nothing about.

Indulge in ultimate wellness designed for the mind, body and spirit. Step into pure rejuvenation with Melia Orlando’s wellness suite where you can breathe easier with Surfacide air purification.

Bathe under vitamin C-infused shower water and recalibrate your digestive health with award-winning Art of Tea products.

Complement your hotel stay with invigorating workouts, rejuvenating spa treatments, and holistic health workshops, courtesy of our partner facility, AdventHealth & Wellness Center, whose programs are available at no additional cost for all guests.

Indulge in guilt-free dining at The Wilson, where flavor is not sacrificed for healthy eating.

Lastly, experience serenity with revitalizing Yoga & Qigong sessions every week around the 360 pool. Your wellness getaway is just moments away.

Central Florida Functional Medicine

Be Well Holistic Care

Energy Wellness Center of Orlando

Flock Fitness

Hard Exercise Works

Club Pilates

Orangetheory Fitness

YMCA

YouFit Gyms

Moms: You Can Not Pour From An Empty Cup

If you do not take care of yourself, then no one understands that you need to be cared for. No one can read our minds as to what we need.

What does self-care really mean?

It is like putting on your oxygen mask before you put your child’s oxygen mask on an airplane. If you don’t have your oxygen on and you are caring for your children, then all of you are at risk. You can get dizzy, you may lose your balance, you may lose your ability to think straight, you may pass out and no one is safe. By putting on your oxygen mask first, you think clearly, speak clearly, process clearly, and you can move fast and operate like superwoman! Therefore, all your children who are in your charge remain safe and in control.

That is the beauty of Self-Care.

Putting your Health & Wellness FIRST is a form of self-care. 

The Salt Room

The Home Farm

These are our top tips for implementing self-care, even when it feels nearly impossible to do so:

1)      Look at your foundation.

There are a few pillars of wellness that are pretty darn important. We call these your foundation. We want to assess the foundation for cracks before we start building too much on it. Start by rating your sleep, your nutrition, and your physical activity level 0-10. These help charge your battery to give you the energy necessary to tackle other areas in your life too.

2)      Start small.

We do not have to revamp your lifestyle overnight! That would be exhausting, and not sustainable. Start by making a list of a few areas you want to make changes in, and pick 1-2 to focus on to start.

3)      Get help

Rome wasn’t built in a day, and it certainly wasn’t built alone. Reach out to a local therapy practice like Ohana Counseling & Wellness, that is specialized in parent wellness, so they can help support and guide you on the path to achieving your self-care goals.

4)      Stay Accountable

Tell a friend, family member, or health provider about your self-care goals and any way that they can help support you in meeting them. Do weekly self check-ins to assess which areas still have room for growth and which ones are doing awesome.

While self-care may take many forms, the most important takeaway is that it is not selfish, nor a luxury, but rather an absolute imperative to overall parent and family wellness.

Grounding Roots

The Salt Room

CLIMB Wellness + Counseling

Ohana Wellness + Counseling