7 Powerful Pillars of Self-Care For Moms
Have you ever caught yourself wondering how to keep your energy and spirit high, especially when dealing with life's little mysteries like vanishing socks?
You're not alone on this quest in figuring out the sock conundrum.
As moms, we often put ourselves on the backburner, sometimes forgetting about self-care for ourselves altogether.
If you're struggling with balancing motherhood and self-care, you're in good company. The 7 Pillars of Self-Care is designed to help you to start to find that equilibrium.
It provides you with the energy to find those evasive socks.
What are the 7 Pillars of Self-Care?
Mental Self-Care Pillar
Mental self-care is the foundation of a mom's wellness routine. It's about balancing your thoughts, emotions, and stress levels. Think of it as taking care of your car with regular check-ups – but in this case, it's your brain that's getting the tune-up to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
In the Mental Self-Care pillar, you’ll learn efficient stress management techniques for mothers, ensuring you're equipped to handle the mental load of motherhood with ease.
Are you feeling Overwhelmed?
Let's face it: you've probably felt overwhelmed at times. It's like having a browser with 100 tabs open in your mind. You're trying to remember everything on your grocery list while soothing a toddler's meltdown, and now it's 10 o'clock at night, and you completely forgot that list. Sound familiar?
“I use a digital weekly planner. To keep myself organized. You have access to this weekly planner inside your Free Journal I created just for moms!”
Stress Management Techniques
Create a sustainable routine that allows you to manage big and small obstacles with a clear, calm mind.
Practical self-care tips designed for busy moms:
Set aside 'me time': five minutes of peace with a cup of coffee or tea can feel like a mini-vacation.
Quick self-care ideas for when time is short read this next - “5 Effortless Hacks If You Are Lacking Self-Care”
Take time to think about yourself: Thinking about yourself and what are some of your goals you would like to accomplish this week.
For example, I would like to polish my nails and put lotion on after my little one goes to bed. Or put an overnight face mask on to help with this post-postpartum breakout. This can help boost self-confidence.
Take breaks from technology: Sometimes, it helps to take a break from social media and emails to clear your mind and avoid comparing your kids' routines to those on Facebook mom due date groups.
Write in a journal: This can be either a paper or on a digital journal. Sometimes, you need to see your thoughts written down to understand them better.
Mom, want to know why taking time for journaling matters read this next- “Benefits of Journaling for Moms | How to Implement Self-Care.”
Repeat positive affirmations: Stick positive affirmations on your mirror. Repeat them until you believe them or until someone asks why you're talking to yourself. They might feel silly initially, but telling yourself, "I'm doing an amazing job," can make you feel more confident.
Here are some affirmations to help start with if you are stuck read this next- “ 75 Inspiring Affirmations to Boost Mom Confidence.”
Now that we've reviewed how to declutter your mental space and strengthen your cognitive resilience.
Let's shift our focus inward to the heart of the matter your emotions.
Emotional Self-Care Pillar
Emotional self-care is our heart's workout. It's about acknowledging and managing our feelings, and yes, it's okay to ride the emotional rollercoaster of motherhood.
Moms often face a parade of emotional challenges:
Guilt over me-time, which should be renamed essential maintenance time.
Stress from the endless to-do list.
The sneaky feeling of not measuring up to those glossy Instagram feeds.
Emotional Self-Care Practices For Busy Moms
Acknowledge Your Feelings: Give space to your emotions and acknowledge their presence without judgment. Why not try scheduled 'worry time'? It may sound odd, but dedicating 10 minutes daily to fret frees up headspace for the rest of your day.
Mindfulness practices: Deep breathing exercises can be a game-changer bonus points if you can do them while waiting for the kettle to boil.
Practice Gratitude Every Day: Regularly writing down things you are grateful for can positively impact emotional health.
Mindfulness and Gratitude
I like to practice my gratitude during the time I allocate to journaling. Inside the Free Self-Care Journal is a template full of prompts to help express daily gratitude. These practices are to help you set a solid emotional foundation so that when life throws curveballs — as it does — moms can knock them out of the park... or at least dodge them gracefully.
Having looked at how to cultivate emotional well-being, it's time to connect the mind-body dot.
Pillar 3 takes us into space, where we focus on caring for our bodies.
Physical Self-Care Pillar
Physical self-care is about being the energetic CEO of our households. Ever find yourself in a situation where squeezing in a workout feels as challenging as fitting into pre-pregnancy jeans? You're not alone. But remember, physical self-care doesn't need to be time-consuming.
Making Time to Exercise
It's an everyday struggle: a lack of time, unpredictable schedules, and, let's not forget, the exhaustion factor. However, physical self-care doesn't have to be a daunting task. If you’re a busy mom that can’t seem to find the time to work out, here’s a quick list of practical approaches to fit into your schedule.
Practical strategies to fit physical self-care into your schedule:
Maximize Playtime: Turn playdates into 'plank-dates.' Meanwhile, the kiddos build forts with sofa cushions, sneak in lunges, or do yoga stretches. This approach improves your physical health and becomes a fun family activity.
Get Creative at Home: No gym? No problem. Use what you have at home – your kids, cans of soup, laundry detergent, or even cases of water – for a quick workout. And remember, stairs are your free StairMaster.
Multitask Magic: Try a walking meeting during your kids' soccer practice or listen to a podcast while jogging. For instance, I found a nearby park with a walking path, perfect for burning off some of that toddler energy (but not enough to fall asleep on the car ride home!).
Physical Activities with your Kids
Trying to find time for exercise. How about incorporating short yoga sessions during playtime for yourself and your kids.
Not only did this improve her physical health, but it also became a fun family activity. When you're physically strong, you're ready for all the joys and some difficulties of motherhood.
With your physical self-care in check, let's turn to your surroundings.
The environment you inhabit plays a crucial role in your well-being.
In Pillar 4, you will visit Environmental Self-Care, learning how creating a nurturing space can be your sanctuary amidst the chaos of motherhood
Environmental Self-Care Pillar
You've just put the kids to bed after a hectic day. You step into your little sanctuary, a clutter-free nook just for you. Feels like a dream, doesn't it? Moms, creating a space that nourishes your soul isn't about perfection; it's about personal peace.
Creating a Personal Sanctuary
Environmental self-care curates your surroundings to nourish your soul and support your family's well-being. Imagine coming home to a clutter-free space with a comfy nook just for your pure bliss, right? Moms, did you catch that part? It is not a clutter-free home, just a space for you that can even be the size of a nook.
Let's transform your living space into a sanctuary of calm and rejuvenation.
Declutter with Love: Start with one area at a time, keeping only what brings you joy or serves a purpose.
Green Your Scene: Bring nature indoors with plants that clean the air and lift the spirit.
Sensory Pleasures: Infuse your home with your favorite scents using diffusers or candles to create an haven.
Personal Touches: Carve out a little corner to retreat for a few moments of solitude or get lost in your favorite book.
Sensory Pleasures in Your Space
I crafted a cozy corner in my living room, turning it into a relaxing haven. My toddler toys are still around, but not in my little corner of the room, which I use to write this blog. You might have experienced the magic of having a personal space where the day's mishaps fade away. This is what environmental self-care is all about transforming your living space to nurture tranquility and joy.
As we enhance our external environment for peace and tranquility, nurturing our internal world is equally important.
Pillar 5 leads us into the depths of Spiritual Self-Care, where you start to connect with your inner self. This will bring profound serenity and purpose to your life as a mother.
Spiritual Self-Care Pillar
Have you ever caught yourself thinking about life's bigger picture of motherhood? Spiritual self-care is that inner sanctuary where you connect with your deeper self. It's not confined to religious practices; it's about finding meaning and peace in your daily life.
How to support your spiritual self-care
Set Aside Time for Reflection: Even five minutes of solitude to meditate or journal can create a ripple effect of calm in your day.
Nature as a Spiritual Retreat: Engage in short walks outside. The natural world often sparks spiritual renewal.
Incorporate Mindfulness: Practicing mindfulness while carrying out daily tasks can transform mundane moments into opportunities for spiritual growth.
Express Gratitude: Whether jotting down things you're thankful for or mentally acknowledging them, gratitude uplifts your spirit.
Connecting with Nature
If you ever wanted to start a garden, here is your chance: just 15 minutes daily in your garden, connecting with nature. This time will allow you to reflect and find spiritual calm, illustrating how connecting with the natural world can nurture the spirit.
Bringing Nature Indoors
Another option can be starting a small indoor herb garden if going outside isn't feasible. By adding these approaches into daily life, moms can nurture their spiritual well-being while finding those missing socks. This reinforcement of inner peace enable moms to face each day with renewed purpose and resilience.
From the serenity of spiritual care, let's step into Pillar 6, which is all about Recreational Self-Care.
Where we rediscover the importance of play and leisure in rejuvenating your spirit and bringing more joy into your life as a busy mom.
Recreational Self-Care Pillar
Who says fun is just for kids? Let's face it: you've probably needed a playful escape from mom duties. Recreational self-care is about igniting that spark of joy. It's realizing that hobbies and leisure are not just nice-to haves; they are self-expression.
Let’s get you started on your path of recreational self-care:
Busting out the Board Games: Can't get out for game night? No problem. After the kids hit the hay, how about a solo board game or an online gaming session with friends?
I like playing solitaire on my iPad and trying to beat my time.
Crafting Your Heart Out: Whether it's baking a cake or coloring in your child's coloring book. Creative projects can be incredibly therapeutic.
Dance Like Nobody's Watching: Literally. While folding laundry or cooking dinner, why not crank up your favorite tunes and throw in a few dance moves?
We( my daughter and myself) have glow stick parties and dance our little butts off. The thought has run across my mind one or two times: am I raising a future rave girl.
From our glow stick dance parties to getting lost in board games, these moments rejuvenate our spirits. These aren't just fun snippets; they're vital breaths of air, keeping our inner flame alive.
Having rekindled the spark of joy through recreation, it's now time to look outward and connect.
In Pillar 7, we learn how to be social again. We look into understanding how building and maintaining meaningful relationships can significantly enhance your overall well-being as a mother.
Social Self-Care
Social self-care often seems like something we had in a far far away lifetime, doesn't it? Nurturing relationships and maintaining a healthy social life is much-needed and having adult conversations. Mom, your pediatrician, or the grocery store clerk personnel don't count.
How to Practice Social Self-Care as a Mom
Offline Social Self-Care Ideas
Set aside regular "me-time" to catch up with friends, even if it's just on the phone.
Join local groups or clubs that align with your interests (like DIY, cooking, or sustainable living). A Mom meet-up at the indoor playground. Have you downloaded the Peanut App?
Participate in school or community events when possible.
What if face-to-face interactions are challenging?
Welcome to the digital age!
Technology and the internet's assistance opens avenues for virtual social self-care.
Connect through:
Virtual coffee dates.
Online book clubs or hobby groups.
Social media communities for moms.
Balancing Motherhood and Social Life
Whether it's a virtual coffee date or joining a local mom group, nurturing these connections is important to your wellbeing. You may have rejuvenated after a simple phone call with a friend. Investing in your social well-being is for your holistic health. This will allow you to socialize and build friendships. It also creates a supportive network, emphasizing the value of social connections in personal well-being.
Assessing Your Pillar Strengths
Take a moment to reflect on your personal strengths in each area. Maybe you're a mental maven, but find physical fitness elusive. Or your emotional empathy is off the charts, while your social circle could use some expansion. Use these insights to tailor a self-care plan woven with threads that uniquely suit you.
Take Action:
Mom have you done this before I can’t be the only one.
You're sitting in your car, groceries in the back, and your toddler is still asleep. You choose a few moments of peace, even if the ice cream risks melting.
That's what self-care tips for moms are about. Seizing those moments for peace. Let's reclaim your energy and joy in the ups and downs of motherhood.
Start Small: Pick one tip from each pillar that resonates with you and give it a go.
Lean In: Our community is here to cheer you on every step of the way, reach out!
Remember what one moms doesn’t mean you need to follow because self-care isn't one-size-fits-all. Every mom's lifestyle is unique! So pick self-care activities that spark joy for you. What matters is that you're moving and shaking in a way that feels good.
In an emergency on an airplane, the flight attendants always say, "Put on your oxygen mask first." It's essential because how will you help your child if you are passed out? Self-care is not selfish; it's necessary.
Ready to Take Some Action In Your Self-Care Journey, Momma?
Every small step, from a five-minute meditation to dancing during chores, contributes to your well-being.
Sign up now to receive your Free Self-Care Journal.
Let's make self-care a seamless and joyful part of our daily lives because when you flourish, everyone around you flourishes, too.
