Every mom feels like taking a moment to themselves is a selfish act. In reality, it’s quite the opposite. Self-care is about taking care of your needs because you’re a person too, and without taking care of yourself, you won’t be able to care for the people that count on you.

Your well-being is in desperate need of a tune-up. Thankfully, self-care comes in many different forms. You don’t need to spend all day at a spa (though that would be wonderful, wouldn’t it?), but even taking 10 minutes to yourself a day will help you replenish.

Why Self-Care is So Important for Moms

You are the heart of the family. Without you at your best mental and physical wellness, you will not be able to put your heart into all that you do. If you want your children and spouse to be happy, you’ve got to start with yourself.

Taking that time for you isn’t selfish in any way. It means you’re nurturing your needs for a change. And when you do, you’ll see you have much more energy to power through all those other mom-things that you do.

How to Practice Self-Care for Moms

Self-care should be about making yourself feel good in mind and body. These tips can give you a jumping-off point to get started prioritizing your needs.

Indulge and pamper

Maybe you don’t have the time or money to go splurge at the spa. But that doesn’t mean you can’t indulge on your own. Pamper yourself with spa products at home. A sheet mask, body scrub, and a soothing soak in the tub will go a long way to making you feel human again.

Schedule something fun

Often, moms feel overwhelmed because they have nothing to look forward to. The kids have a full calendar of activities, but that doesn’t mean you have to sit on the sidelines. Sign up for a cooking class, commit to reading a new novel, or meet up with friends. When you have something on the calendar that’s for you to enjoy, that’s self-care too!

Make time to relax

Even if your kids are little and need lots of your attention, you need to unwind. Once they’re in bed, try a nice yoga sequence. Put on some soothing music or meditate, or both. Go with what feels natural and comforting to you and you’ll be on your way to enacting that proper self-care.

Buy yourself something special

When your kids need new shoes, you buy them, right? So why are you still wearing those beat-up old things from 5 years ago? Meet your needs by getting the things you need. And while you’re at it, buy yourself something as a treat. It doesn’t need to be expensive, but the act of gifting yourself something small that you’ve been wanting like a new lipstick will do wonders for lifting your mood.

You’re important and you matter, even when you think you don’t. Start treating yourself the way you deserve and you’ll soon feel refreshed and ready to take on the next challenges that you face as a mom!