50 Ways to Practice Self Care as a Busy Mom

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Moms get busy. Moms tend to forget about themselves very easily. I personally find it difficult to add self care into my daily routine and so I’ve compiled a list of quick and effective ways to practice self care that don’t involve a whole lot of time! While it would be great to be able to cut out a block of time each day to ourselves, when you’re raising tiny humans, that just isn’t gonna fly. So here are my favourite things to do when I’m feeling a little run down:

1. Take a Bath (I add a little extra with my favourite bath product from Live Botanical, THIS OCEANIA COCONUT BATH MILK. This is on my list as a must have!)
2. Meditate (I have been using THIS spray from Live Botanical to help calm myself for mindfulness. It smells like a rainforest and gives the illusion that you are out in nature.. which is something that really helped these last few months while transitioning to warmer weather)
3. Night Body Oil Ritual (I have fallen deeply in love with THIS body oil from MUN Skincare)
4. Moisturize (Once again, I’m gonna gush over Live Botanical and suggest THIS body butter which smells like benzoin **soft vanilla scent**, coconut and lime) 
5. Dry brush Dry brushing promotes detoxification through your skin which most of us neglect. This is our largest organ and one of the biggest opportunities to help our body release some extra toxins. (I use THIS Ecotools Dry Body Brush Detoxify & Smooth made specifically for dry brushing and has a hand strap which makes dry brushing much easier and quicker!)
6. Konjac sponge I find exfoliating my face a calming process. Not only does a konjac sponge creat a soft and smooth finish but it isn’t too abrasive for sensitive skin types and the konjac is actually a natural anti-bacterial agent that will help reduce blemishes and imperfections in your skin. I use THIS Organic Heart Shape Konjac Sponge 3-pack (Activated Charcoal, Green Tea, and White) and especially love the activated charcoal sponge which helps pull impurities from beneath the skin.
7. Jade rolling Another skin care ritual that brings me a sense of calm. Jade is a naturally cooling gem stone and can help reduce puffiness and fine lines over time with use. I use my jade roller on my forehead and beneath my eyes to decrease lines and puffiness, and I use the roller on my cheeks to add a cooling effect that reduces redness. I use THIS Jade Roller for Face and Body which does the trick and is very cost effective!
8. Massage Just do it! Find a local massage therapist or spa and book it!
9. Be mindful on a walk Leave your phone at home and look around. Listen to every sound, we forget to do these things in this fast paced life we’ve created. 
10. Listen to music My ultimate. Music solves every problem, Im not sure I need to say more!
11. Exercise I allowed myself time to be a Mother after I had Delilah. I didn’t focus on losing my baby weight until she was a toddler so I could soak in every little tiny moment and cuddle. Now that she’s older she exercises with me (mimics my moves) and its become an activity we do together. I will teach her that exercise is to make you strong, nothing else.
12. Diffuse essential oils I diffuse essential oils daily with THIS diffuser from Organic Aromas. You can read my full review on this diffuser HERE and see why I chose this company and model over the rest. My articles also outlines 12 benefits of diffusing essential oils.
    
    
    
    
13. Yoga Does yoga even need an explanation anymore? Its yoga. Enough said. 
14. Run This one isn’t for everyone. I find running calming even though it is a difficult practice. I stopped using cardio as my main source of exercise so I don’t run nearly as much as I used to but when I get the chance to listen to my iPod and get outdoors to move, I feel great. Get those endorphins flowing!
15. Feet up the wall Lie on your back with your legs up the wall. This posture helps reduce inflammation in our lower half as we create a lot of tension being upright most of the day. It also helps recirculate blood to your head, heart, and other major organs which is regenerative and restorative.
16. Paint your nails I go for a nail polish with a lower toxic load like Trust Fund Beauty. You can read all about them in my full review and find out where to get them HERE.
17. Hair treatment I can’t get enough of UMA’s Intensely Nourishing Hair Oil (find it HERE) which can be used as a treatment overnight, heat protector, and styling oil/smoother. It is free of all toxic ingredients and is made with the purest organically grown ingredients you can find. It also promotes hair growth and thickening for anyone looking to boost their length and volume. I swapped out my beloved morrocan oil for this oil.. It stands up to it and is much healthier for you, read my full review on this oil HERE. 
    
    
    
    
18. Watch Netflix Greys, Jane the Virgin, Gilmore Girls… 
19. Body mapping/scan When I worked in Mental Health Care, body scanning was a mindfulness practice that we used to help reduce uncomfortable symptoms such as anxiety, stress, feelings of overwhelm. Simply sit in a chair or lie down, close your eyes, and starting at your head (going down to your toes) think about each body part, reduce tension by relaxing each muscle you come across. You’d be amazed at how much we physically tense up in our daily life in response to mental anguish. Both our physical and mental states reflect upon each other, so by working on one, you will improve the other. You can find many audio guides for body scans on youtube.
20. Green juice Putting goodness into your body will make you feel better from the inside out. When I feel like I need a pick me up, I will juice some produce in my fridge or head to my local organic cafe to get a jar of green goodness! 
    
    
    
    
21. Elixir drinks I have been on an elixir drink marathon lately. My latest blend is: 1tsp. organic raw cacao, a packet of Four Sigmatic mushroom elixir, 1 tsp. of dandy blend, hot water, and coconut milk. Heaven! 
22. Face mask The ultimate in skin care pampering. Face masks should be mandatory! I treat my skin care routine as a ritual. Masking is one of my favourite parts! You can gain back your glow and feel good about yourself wishing 30 minutes!
23. De-clutter Minimalism. 
24. Baby snuggles Self explanatory!
25. Do something nice for someone Giving and caring for others may be self indulgent in ways as it gives you a sense of pride, purpose and grace. That doesn’t mean its a bad thing, that means it is a double-positive. You feel good, they feel good. What could be better than that?
26. Walk around the mall while baby wearing Not only is this great exercise, but who doesn’t love a little window shopping (or real shopping). Also, baby snuggles.
27. Spend time with my closest friends Your people are your people for a reason. Let them lift your spirits! A little girl talk never hurt anyone.
28. Read a book to my baby Reading happens daily in our house. At multiple times throughout the day. We read interactively, asking her to point out new objects or animals she’s learned which is one of the coolest things to watch as a parent. Toddlers really do learn fast and its nice to take moments to really watch them.
29. Make up a new recipe from scratch I love throwing things together. Go out and do a fun grocery shop in the organic food aisle, then see what you can figure out. 
    
    
    
    
30. Make a yummy salad Salads dont just have to be greens and dressing. Mix it up. Find the perfect salad that tastes like an indulgence but is good for you from the inside out!
31. Watch a movie with your partner As parents, this is not something we get to do often. It was a favourite activity of ours pre-baby so everyone once in a while its nostalgic to sit down and pick a favourite from the collection and snuggle up!
32. Go to the market Saturday morning Farmers markets make me happy. I can’t explain it. They’re just so grounding!
33. Sit in quiet This isn’t always doable for mothers. When you get the chance, take advantage. All Mothers know how comforting the sound of  ‘nothing’ can be!
34. Write or doodle Doodling has always been a comfort. I doodled through classes in school to keep my brain active and alert. Did you know that drawing circles actually creates endorphins in your brain? Look up Mandalas and you can thank me later. 
35. Make lists Something gratifying about getting all your needs and thoughts down in one place to tackle a task. Its easier, faster, and you feel accomplished. 
36. Painting I was big into the art scene in school and sometimes day dream about my past goal to pursue art as a career. Who knows. Painting, whether you’re a professional or a stick-person connoisseur, is calming! Art therapy is a real thing, and it works!
37. Watch old family videos Nostalgia strikes again!
38. Be with animals There are studies that prove that proximity to animals or petting animals actually lowers cortisol levels (stress hormones) in the body. 
39. Skin care rituals Oil cleansing, masking, serums, you name it… I love it!
    
    
    
    
40. Buy or pick flowers for the table Fresh flowers in a home create such an aura. Studies have also cited that fresh flowers improve mood and health of people living in the home. 
41. Call my mum Because she really is my best friend. There is no one on this planet who understands me quite like her. My calming force!
42. Hold my baby I pick my girl up several times a day just to get that closeness. It will help her build confidence and it will help my head to remember all her details and how little she was one day.
43. Colour with my daughter Colouring, doodling, playing with chalk outside. Sitting with your child one-on-one in a creative space is an amazing feeling. I end up getting a lot of requests to draw “kitties” and “pups”, so I’ve become a bit of a pro at those 😉
44. Indulge in a craving Ditch the healthy eating for a moment and give in to something you really love. Why should we completely neglect our cravings when they can bring a sense of happiness. I try to give myself allowance to do this once a week. It is heaven. 
45. Go for a drive I live in an area with lots of farm fields, shorelines, and forests. I am lucky enough to be able to get in the car, turn on the radio, roll down the windows and just look around.
46. Hydrotherapy This isn’t necessarily something that feels good in the moment. Its requires you getting in a shower and swapping from freezing cold to warm, back and forth. This practice helps circulate your blood, awaken your nervous system, and help organs let go of some toxins. It really does leave you feeling rejuvenated if you can stand the cold.
47. Body exfoliation Exfoliating is my jam. I can’t get enough of it and theres just something about freshening up every inch of your skin that gives you that feeling of renewal. 
48. Watch a chick flick/music documentary/classic movie 
49. Look at old photos I am not one to put my photos into books, though I wish I had the time for it, but I just love pulling out boxes of old photo prints to flip through.
50. Read a book This isn’t something I get a lot of time to do as a Mum but I really do love reading a good book.

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(as a resource for those moments when pulling your hair out is on the horizon)

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