Self-care is crucial for busy working moms as it serves as a lifeline, offering a moment of respite in the relentless juggling act of career and motherhood and defending off self-doubt.

The demands of a full-time job and the responsibilities of raising a family can easily lead to burnout, physical and emotional exhaustion, and heightened stress levels. Self-care allows you, as an incredible woman, to recharge, regain a sense of control, and nurture your well-being. By setting aside time for self-care, you can improve your physical health, boost mental clarity, and enhance your emotional resilience. Ultimately, self-care empowers busy working moms to show up as the best version of themselves, both at work and at home, creating a healthier and happier balance in their lives.

Do I personally practice all of these?? Not. However, I do value the importance of doing a self-care check-in with myself to ensure I’ve eaten my minimal amount of protein each day, that I have drank 1/2 my body weight in water, and that (most nights) I get 6 hours of sleep.

My favourite self-care nugget, I call it, is how I wake up in the morning. I get up and go pee, then set a time for 5 minutes and sit and breathe while I say to myself, INHALE  as I’m inhaling, and EXHALE as I exhale. Starting my day with this 5-minute meditation helps me to then, with intention, decide how my day is going to go versus hit the ground running as soon as my alarm goes off.

Here are a few other ways to incorporate self-care daily, weekly and monthly.

Daily Self-Care:

  1. Mindful Mornings: Start your day with a few minutes of mindfulness or meditation. Focus on your breath and set positive intentions for the day.
  2. Healthy Meals: Make sure to have at least one healthy meal a day filled with nutritious ingredients that boost your energy and well-being.
  3. Express Gratitude: Take a moment to write down or reflect on three things you’re grateful for each day. It can be as simple as a smile from your child or a supportive coworker.

Weekly Self-Care:

  1. Exercise Routine: Dedicate time for exercise at least a few times a week. It could be a home workout, a yoga class (Check out my favourite local yoga studio) https://modoyoga.com/brant/ or a brisk walk. (ask me about my walking group.)
  2. Tech-Free Evenings: Choose one or more evenings each week to unplug from devices. Spend quality time with family or engage in hobbies you love.
  3. Relaxing Bath or Pampering Session: Treat yourself to a luxurious bath, complete with essential oils, candles, and soft music, at least once a week.

Monthly Self-Care:

  1. Date Night: Plan a monthly date night with your partner. It can be a romantic dinner, a movie night, or simply quality time together.
  2. Friends’ Gathering: Arrange a monthly meet-up with friends to share stories laughter, and enjoy adult conversations.
  3. Mini Getaway: Consider a monthly mini getaway, even if it’s just a day trip to a nearby town or a scenic nature hike.
  4. Personal Projects: Allocate time each month to work on personal projects or hobbies that you’re passionate about, whether it’s painting, writing, or crafting.

The key to successful self-care is consistency. By incorporating daily, weekly, and monthly practices into your routine, you can ensure that self-care becomes a habit, providing you with the much-needed balance and rejuvenation that all full-time working moms deserve.