Self-care is an important aspect of overall well-being and balance. Engaging in self-care means intentionally doing things aimed at improving our personal health and wellness. It can be anything that promotes one or more of the dimensions of well-being – a walk in nature, reading a book, a relaxing spa day, or meeting up with friends.
Consistent self-care is especially important for working moms, but the irony is that we never have the time to do it. How do we get around that? One way is by incorporating small self-care moments into our daily routines.
Why Is Self-Care So Important?
We know that self-care is important in a general sense for our overall well-being and happiness, but exactly how does it help?
Self-care activities help to improve one or more dimensions of wellness – physical, intellectual, occupational, social, spiritual, and emotional. Depending on the activity, we strengthen our sense of wellness in those particular dimensions. For instance, going for a walk in nature can help improve our sense of physical, social, and emotional well-being – we are doing something active (physical) and connecting with nature (social), both of which improve our mental health (emotional).
The idea of self-care is highly variable depending on an individual’s values, but one thing remains true for us all – without it, we’re on the fast track to burnout and a host of mental health problems. Lack of self-care can contribute to increased anxiety, poor physical and emotional health, strained relationships, and inability to cope with stress.
You can probably appreciate how essential self-care is to your overall well-being. I’m sure we would all love to take a spa day every month, but unfortunately, the vast majority of working moms don’t have that kind of free time. That’s why incorporating small self-care moments into our daily routines can be a useful and realistic strategy for working moms.
10 Daily Self-Care Items Under $50
Shower steamers
Some would argue that taking a shower isn’t self-care, and I’m inclined to agree with that. However, I also believe in seizing opportunities and making the best of your situation. True, showering is an essential activity, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find a way to jazz it up a bit. Shower steamers do just that for me – there’s something about lavender and mint scents that are so soothing.
Satin pajamas
If there’s one thing I look forward to at the end of the day, it’s going to sleep. Satin pajamas add just a little bit of affordable luxury to that. Can putting on pajamas count as self-care? Yes, if they make you feel good and help you sleep comfortably. Satin pajamas are super smooth on the skin, light, and comfortable, and they won’t bunch up in weird places if you roll around a lot at night.
A journal
The benefits of journaling for supporting emotional well-being are well-known. For working moms, journaling is a simple activity we can easily incorporate into our day. You can use it to process difficult emotions, reflect on positive experiences, or make gratitude lists.
A light therapy box
Light therapy has been shown to have positive effects on your mood when used in the morning before sunrise, particularly during the winter and for people with seasonal affective disorder. Light therapy boxes are relatively inexpensive and easy to use. The only caveat is that most of the research shows significant effects only when used before sunrise, meaning you would have to wake up pretty early to get the most benefit.
Mindfulness cards
Who doesn’t love a good inspirational quote? A deck of mindfulness cards features a different quote on each card to add a little positivity to your day. Personally, I love mindfulness cards and use them often. They remind me to stay grateful and grounded when my stress levels are high and I’m feeling overwhelmed.
Sheet masks
The stress of working and family obligations can take a toll on our skin, and we may not have the time or the desire to go through 7-step skincare rituals after a long day. Sheet masks can replace much-needed moisture into your skin and are a quick, non-messy alternative to traditional masks that you have to apply and wash off.
Scented pillow spray
Trouble drifting off to sleep? Difficulty sleeping is actually a common problem among people with high anxiety, including working moms. Scented pillow sprays can be a helpful tool to encourage relaxation and a sense of calm, which is just what we need when we have trouble shutting our brains off.
Blue light glasses
Do you lie in bed looking at your phone late at night way longer than you should? It might be interrupting the quality of your sleep. Blue light glasses help to minimize the impact of blue light from digital devices like computers, cell phones, and tablets. Prolonged exposure to it may affect our ability to fall asleep at night by messing with our circadian rhythms. Blue light glasses can be useful when worn in the evenings to block some of that light and help us sleep better.
Back massager
Tight back muscles? Try a portable back massager. Sure, it’s not a 60-minute deep tissue massage, but an at-home back massager is a handy self-care item to have you need a little relaxation time. Simply plug it and position it behind your back against a supportive chair to target your lower or middle back muscles. Some massagers also come with a heated option and other bells and whistles, and may even come with attachments for use in your car.
Insulated water bottle
You don’t need a giant water bottle to drink water, but it does help. Keeping a water bottle with you that you only have to fill up once or twice and that keeps your water cool make it easier to stay hydrated. Insulated water bottles have also become somewhat of a trendy office accessory, with popular brands like Stanley and Hydro Flask appearing on office desks (and even schools!) everywhere.
Self-care is an essential part of improving our sense of well-being and balance, but finding time for it can be difficult for working moms. Incorporating small self-care activities or moments into your day can have positive effects on wellness without disrupting the daily routine.
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