We all know that being a mom and balancing all the other responsibilities that come with “adulting” is hard. There is never enough time in the day, and somehow self-care always falls to the bottom of the list. Every year I make grand resolutions to take care of ME, but by February 1st they seem to slip out the window. There just isn’t enough hours in the day for me to take care of my family, manage my household, and run my full-time business, and make time for self-care. What there is though is a few stolen minutes here and there.
I may not have hours of time to block off, but I can certainly find 15 or 20 minute blocks to do things that are good for me. Here are 5 simple ideas that I’m implementing this year to make me a priority and take better care of myself. I hope it inspires you to do a little something for yourself too!
5 Easy Ways to Take Care of Yourself:
Get Fresh Air Everyday
I can’t tell you how many times my entire day goes by sitting at my desk, driving around in my car, and never actually stopping to “smell the roses”. Lately I’ve been setting an alarm on my phone to remind me to stop what I’m doing and go outside for 5 minutes. It gives my eyes a break from the computer, and gets some fresh air into my lungs! {Sometimes I listen to an entire Bollywood song to time myself}
Drink More Water (with Mindfulness)
You already know that you should drink water – but with mindfulness? Yup, stop everything you are doing, put down your phone, and just drink water. It’s like a 5 minute vacation for your brain. Consider it cheater’s meditation.
Triage Your To-Do List
This one is HARD! Since the beginning of the year I’ve been trying to limit myself to putting three things a day on my to-do list, and it makes me really nervous and anxious! Trust me I understand that there are a thousand and one things you could do in a day, but there are probably only three or four that you must do. {If you struggle with this concept, I highly recommend a book called Essentialism}
Cutting down on your daily to-do list is a simple way to be nicer to yourself. Imagine how you’ll feel going to bed at night with three check marks rather than 12 unfinished items on your list.
Challenge Your Brain Daily
Hanging out with kids all day can be hard, so is doing repetitive tasks at work. One simple way to keep your mind sharp and engaged is to try doing something that challenges you for 15 minutes each day. Set a timer and do a Suduko puzzle, or play a game of Mahjong on the computer. I try to read a little something in Punjabi everyday as a way to challenge myself.
Stick to a Skincare Routine
There are two beautiful results from a daily skincare regime; skin that looks good and hides your age, and 10 minutes to yourself in the bathroom morning and night. I used to be the worst about going to bed with makeup on, and skipping out on serums and moisturizers, but lately I’m all about the skincare routine,.
I’ve been using the OLAY Regenerist line for about three weeks now and my skin feels (and looks) amazing. Not only is it helping my tired eyes look a lot better, I find that using the cleansing brush with the exfoliating cleaner helps my makeup go on a lot smoother. As a bonus, I love spending 5-10 minutes getting my skin ready for bed, it’s actually quite relaxing. A little self care, and an ageless complexion – it’s a win, win!
I hope you’ve been inspired by some of my quick and easy ideas for self-care, and will try to implement them in your day-to-day life too!
I meditate daily; it really helps me!
Trying to eat healthy home cooked meals. Plenty of greens,water,no junk food…
Thanks for the giveaway!!
Gagan
I LOVE the idea of timing a break with a bollywood song!
I’m starting to be more conscious of skincare, especially in winter. I make sure I have a rich enough moisturiser for walking to work in sub Arctic temperatures. And I always relax in a hot bath before going to bed each night.
always remember to eat!! That’s always the first to slide
I’m terrible at remembering to eat. Lately, I’ve been batch-cooking up a bunch of healthy lunches on the weekend, and then I just grab them from the fridge. If the day is nice, I force myself to get outside for a walk. And I’m drinking 2 litres of water a day. Good for your skin! 🙂
I meditate for 5 minutes each morning before I get out of bed and I go for a walk every evening to clear my mind and relax.
i moisturize daily to take care of myself
I make sure i eat a good breakfast every morning!
I drink lots of water and exercise daily!
I drink lots of water and I moisturize everyday.
I get up an hour before everyone else and watch my favourite tv show. It’s a perfect way to start my day!
I do yoga everyday at lunch!
I take care of myself by drinking plenty of water, eating healthy foods and snacks and I try I really try to get plenty of sleep
I try to take care of myself by eating healthy, drinking lots of water and trying to get enough sleep.
I exercise everyday.
I try to eat healthy & keep well hydrated
I am taking care of myself by getting more exercise and I got a fitbit to motivate me
I try to eat healthy and stay positive
I spend time with my dogs which brings me such joy! Coffee time is also me time…
I moisturize every day and my nails are always painted 🙂
I try to drink water and get some exercise
Exercise and drink pertly of water
I take care of myself everyday by drinking lots of water, staying active and taking my daily multi vitamin!
I moisturize my skin, I try to eat healthy and stay moisturized.
I take multivitamins and iron and b12 daily. I try to eat a balanced diet. And most importantly I try to take some time for me. Some time to relax and recooperate.
I take care of myself by trying to be gentle with myself and not over induldinging in the sweets
taking my multivitamin daily keeps me nice and healthy
Nice walk with my Kangal
I have a morning and evening routine of cleansing and moisturing. Drink lots of water and eat healthy.Try and get out into the fresh air
I do yoga every day
I drink lots of water
Walks , exercise and calming
I take care of myself by making time for meditation.
try to eat healthy, get enough sleep, find me time, wear sunscreen
I try to eat healthy and drink lots of water everyday.
I always make sure to squeeze in some me/down time in a day. Even if it’s 10 minutes with my Kobo. I think it’s important to use that time to clear my mind
I go for walks for exercise and drink lots of water.
I go for walks, drink water and try to eat healthy.
I walk everyday and eat my 7-10 every day.
For me, it’s most important to get enough sleep, and lots of water through the day.
Drink plenty of water and take my vitamins daily as well as eating healthy.
I drink lots of water throughout the day exercise too.
i try to find time to relax and do something i enjoy, like read. i would like to have a better skin care regime, but i tend to get lazy and tired by the end of the day – this is a work in progress.
I make a hot cup of tea before anything else happens in the morning.
i do some mediation with my diffuser going with relaxing oils
I try to eat healthy, get enough rest and take a multi-vitamin daily to take care of myself.
I take time out to exercise daily,,,almost daily 🙂
I try to take a little time to myself every night whether its to read, have a bath or watch netflix.
I need to do MORE to take care of myself.
I watch what I eat and try to get in a daily walk in order to better take care of me
I try to get lots of rest.
by pampering myself
I exercise and stretch on a daily basis… to combat sitting at a desk all day
Drinks lots of water and stay active.
I eat healthy and use a basic skin routine to take care of my skin 🙂
I have a little pamper routine I do after I shower.
I gets lots of sleep
I try and eat healthy and do yoga. If I feel stressed I try to relax with a cup of tea and a hot bubble bath.
I drink at least 6 glasses of water a day!
I make sure I get enough sleep
I only cook home made meals from scratch as well as walk the board walk everyday & make sure I chat with my grand-kids everyday to stay healthy & positive!
I try and do things to take care of my self but I’m not religious about them. Thanks for the list and the reminder. Skin care is one of mine as well.
drink lots of water and exercise
I indulge in a cappuccino every morning, my little treat of the day.
I exercise everyday. I give my self choices (bike trainer, snowshoe, XC ski, downhill ski) so that I’m less likely to skip out on exercise time. Bike trainer is amazing for this…plop it in front of the TV and watch a favourite show!
I try to exercise on a daily basis and eat healthy.
I focus a lot on eating healthy, but I have a little bit of chocolate at the end of each day just for a treat.
I take some alone time where I do whatever I need to do for me, or do nothing at all.
my taking time all by myself, either reading or watching tv with a nice cup of tea and some fruit
by spending 20 minutes on myself everday
I exercise daily to keep myself healthy
I try to get out for a walk every day. I love to read as well and I enjoy baths to relax when I get the chance.
moisturize daily and exercising often
Olay is the BEST , use it everyday !
I try to get enough sleep every night.
I go for walks and drink lots of water
I drink lots of water, walk nearly every day and be present in the Moment. 🙂
I exercise daily