35 Easy Self Care Ideas for Stay at Home Moms

35 Easy Self Care Ideas for Stay at Home Moms

Self care is one of those buzzwords you hear floating around all the time, but what does it really mean? By definition, self care is the practice of taking action to preserve or improve one’s health. That means not just your physical health, but your mental health, too. It’s so easy for moms to get stuck in their own heads, worried about keeping it all together. I mean, children come with quite a bit of baggage.
There’s meals to prepare, appointments to keep, family to visit, a house to clean, clothes to wash, diapers to change. And that’s not to mention if they get sick, if there is a holiday coming up, or if they are teething 😫 it’s no wonder moms can feel overwhelmed or burnt out. Taking even just ten minutes a day to reset your mind can go far in alleviating stress. Moving your body and/or getting outside once a day is a total game changer. Check out these 35 self care ideas for stay at home moms.

1. Go for a walk – fresh air and exercise are always a recipe for success.
2. Take a shower – it’s incredible to me that as a society we have just accepted that moms don’t get to bathe as often as they’d like. And I get it. Having babies is a lot of work. Sometimes you’re just so tired you prefer to sleep instead of shower. But once you’ve gotten on some sort of schedule, take an everything shower. Wash your hair, shave your legs, exfoliate. Do any and all primping to make yourself feel a little more put together. It will help you feel like more than a slave to your baby’s needs.
3. Go to the gym – Moving your body is SO important! Its the best stress reliever and gives you a break where you can only focus on yourself. Plus….Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy People just don’t shoot their husbands, they just don’t! – (Anybody else constantly have this line stuck in their heads? No? Just me? ok then…)
4. Call a friend
5. Go get a manicure or pedicure
6. Go to the store alone – Ride with the windows down and the music way up. Or sit in silence for ten extra minutes before going back inside to the chaos.
7. Do some stretching or yoga. I have this yoga mat and I love it!
8. Meditate – There are apps or videos you can find that will guide you through a meditation in under 15 minutes. I find myself calmer and more centered whenever I meditate (which is not as often as I would like! Hey, we’re all a work in progress!)
9. Go shopping for clothes for your new body
10. Garden – whether it’s tidying up your front bed or a full blown vegetable garden, being outside, using your hands (and subsequently NOT being on your phone) is a huge stress reliever. Connecting with the earth even in a small way will give you peace of mind and a calmer spirit.
11. Play with your pet – instead of flopping down on the couch when you’ve had a long day, get outside and throw the ball with your dog. The exercise will be great for reducing stress, and a tired (and happy) pup is sure to ease the chaos all around.
12. Have a dance party – turn the music up, put on some early 2000’s jams (or whatever you prefer) and just rock out at high volume by yourself. It’s a great stress reliever and always leaves me feeling lighter and more relaxed.
13. Draw or color – There are great adult coloring books or you can grab some paper and just go wild!
14. Have a movie night with a friend (or your husband) – Grab some snacks after the baby is in bed and veg out watching an old favorite.
15. Try a new hobby – it doesn’t have to be a huge event where you go to a new place or have to buy all new expensive equipment. Try knitting, cooking, or painting.
16. Journal – There are a ton of writing prompts online. I find it cathartic to just get my words written down instead of taking up space in my head. How cute is this journal geared toward moms?!
17. Try a homemade facial.
18. Go to church – Whatever your spiritual beliefs are, being around like minded people can be very centering.
19. Have a solo coffee date – Take the time to sit with yourself, people watch or read a book.
20. Watch an educational video – Watch a Ted Talk or find a YouTube video that teaches you a life skill, an interpersonal skill, or that empowers you to be a little better than you were before.
21. Look for positivity on social media – I like to use Instagram or Pinterest to find positive affirmations. Especially when I have been struggling to keep on top of everything, finding a quote or affirmation helps me re-center.
22. Try a brain puzzle – sudoku, crosswords, or even Wordle!
23. Read a book on personal growth.
24. Burn a candle – light up your favorite scent (or use a diffuser!) to create a calming atmosphere.
25. Buy yourself flowers – It will brighten up the room and make you feel happy!
26. Get a massage – better yet, ask hubby to do it!
27. Declutter – It really makes me calmer when I have a fresh, clean space to exist in. Even if you only have time for one room or area, it will make you feel a little more put together to get rid of the mess. You can check out my guide on 17 Items to Declutter Today for some ideas!
28. Bake something – I love getting in the kitchen and making something sweet. Everything just tastes better when its made with a little love.
29. Make a gratitude list – listing out the things you are grateful for can really put into perspective how blessed your life really is.
30. Change into a nice outfit – Choose something that makes you feel like the HOT MOM you totally are. Feeling a little more put together makes it easier to tackle those difficult days. It can be easy to throw on some leggings and your husband’s old t-shirt, but in order to get out of that funk, you might need to step it up a little.
31. Clean out your inbox – the same as a cluttered room, a cluttered inbox can be stress-inducing. Get rid of the junk and unsubscribe from those email lists you simply don’t need.
32. Text someone you love – it only takes a minute, and you will never regret reminding someone how much you love them.
33. Make a smoothie – Because fueling your body is just as important as fueling your mind.
34. Take a bubble bath – put on some relaxing music and catch up on some reading. I love this foaming bubble bath!
35. Organize your wardrobe – get rid of those clothes that just don’t fit. Organize things so you can actually see what you have.

Taking time for yourself is SO important when you’re a mom. Before kids, it’s relatively easy to do something just for you, but once you’re balancing an entire other (needy) human’s schedule, it’s so easy to let go of taking care of yourself. Being happy and healthy is not only good for you, it’s good for your baby! Practice one of these self care ideas at least once a week.
It may be difficult and you may even feel guilty for taking time to yourself at first. That’s why it is a practice. You will come away feeling more in control of your surroundings and better capable of handling a meltdown, a blowout, or a rather large to-do list.
You contribute to your family in so many ways. But you cannot pour from an empty cup. Fuel yourself so that you can keep on taking care of your wonderful family. Have you tried one of these self care ideas? Head over to my Instagram page and let me know which one works for you!