Our Favorite Self Care Ideas For Moms

We share our top tips on self care ideas for moms

Moms. Mums. Mothers. Just saying the word ‘mom’ for so many people evokes a variety of memories and emotions. We dare you to just try and think of a skill, a task, a project that a mom you know isn’t equipped to perform with ease. The word ‘mom’ being synonymous so many times with friend, caregiver, support system and superhero really reminds us just how valuable this role is in our society, communities and lives.

As history would have it, the traditional role of the mother figure is one that often comes with a plethora of stories about self sacrifice. Our moms are the people who often get up first, go to bed last and eat whatever is left over at dinner. We know these roles are changing; societally, we know these assigned norms need to change. We know now more than ever how important it is to let each of our mothers self assign the roles they want to play in the family unit, in the workplace and in their communities, as a part of their own self actualization.

Regardless of the laundry list expectations attributed to being a mom, one thing is crystal clear: we want our moms and the moms in our lives to prioritize their own self care. Whether you’re a mom, have a mom or you know a mom, let’s hold space for nurturance and joy through the encouragement of self care for all.

What do self care ideas for moms look like in the real world?

‘Self care’ is a very broad term, and we know that this looks very different for everyone. Self care spans everything from a bath and a podcast to an extra hour of sleep, saying no to that social obligation that doesn’t feel good or eating pizza in a bathrobe. It’s impossible and improbable to expect all of the moms we know to fit their needs and wants, their hopes and dreams, into a neatly wrapped package titled ‘self care’ and call it a day.

This year in particular, we’ve seen the role of the mom shift even more significantly, as many of us and the people we know assume the role of teacher, housekeeper, babysitter and entertainer, as well. We’re here to proclaim loudly that self care, in any form, in all forms, deserves to be prioritized. We want the moms in our lives to say and feel with confidence that their needs matter, and that taking steps - however small - towards taking proper care of themselves is one of the most important things they can do for themselves as moms.

We know it’s easy to find a list of ways in which you can more conventionally choose to take care of yourself, and so we wanted to compile a list of not-so-conventional and thought provoking ways in which we can collectively practice self care and compassion.

Self care ideas for moms that don’t cost a thing

Connect with a friend in real life. One of the simplest and most powerful things we can do for our well-being is to stay connected to others. In the age of technology in which we live, screen burnout is a real thing. The average person spends 5.4 hours a day on their smartphone, and this is the low end of the spectrum. Shake it up, go the old fashioned route and connect with someone in real life. Take a walk, go for tea, even meet up for a socially distanced yoga class. The benefits of screen free, face to face connection cannot be overstated.

Do something for someone else. The age-old saying goes, ‘it’s better to give than to receive’. Never has that been more true than in the year 2020, when so many people around the world have faced challenges both personally and professionally that they never could have anticipated. If you are fortunate enough to find yourself in a position to give, give. Fill your cup through volunteer work, make a little bit extra at dinnertime and drop off a care package for the neighbor you know lives alone or make a donation in someone’s name for a charitable organization you know means a lot to them. Lift yourself this year by lifting others.

Pick the thing you want to do least, and then do that. There’s something to be said for taking the road less travelled and coming face to face with our greatest fears. This article details the ways in which facing our greatest fears head on can help us develop a deeper well of understanding and compassion. We are more likely to extend grace for someone else in a challenging situation when we are able to extend self compassion for a challenge we also faced head on. What better way to practice self care than to explore uncharted territory in your own life that paves the way for growth and resilience.

Self care ideas for moms that love to feel celebrated

And of course there really is no substitution sometimes for the kind of self care that comes from taking care of our physical body. One of the ways we choose to pamper and nurture ourselves is through clean, natural products that are free of artificial fragrance, preservatives, fillers or additives that can contribute to unwanted side effects of oxidative stress and make us feel less-than-awesome. Choosing natural means choosing what is best for you and what is best for the planet. Some ideas for the ways you can suggest incorporating natural products and ingredients into self care ideas for moms:

Crystal Facial Massager: this facial roller is made from a restorative crystal called clear quartz, which in metaphysical energy healing is known as an energy amplifier. In skin care, a crystal facial roller can be used to help even the skin tone by increasing circulation, which can help even skin tone and improve appearance. Hot tip: it feels amazing after being cooled in the fridge for a few minutes.

Clay Cleanse face mask: this soothing, restorative face mask is made from cleansing, toning ingredients like bamboo charcoal, kaolin clay and frankincense to help unveil clearer, more refined skin. Apply a thin layer to clean skin, leave on for 10-15 minutes, and gently rinse with warm water. Bonus: sneak in a short meditation or a journaling session to feel extra pampered.

In The Buff dry brush: a dry brush is a natural way to both exfoliate and invigorate the skin by sloughing off dry, dead skin cells. The bristles of this brush are derived from a material called sisal, which comes to us from the cactus-like agave plant and is effective at helping restore softness and smoothness to the skin post-brush. Give yourself an uplifting scrub, hop in the bath or shower and reach for your favorite lotion or body butter afterwards to seal in moisture.

Stress Release kit: feeling stressed is one of the surefire ways in which we can expect to see ourselves move from ‘thriving’ to ‘hanging on’. Stress wreaks havoc on our sleep, our digestion and even our memory. Tackle symptoms like nervousness, restlessness and generally feeling blah with this three-piece kit designed to help you feel better, naturally. Calming, balancing and restorative essential oils of lavender, roman chamomile and clary sage help the body rest and relax, and can help support boosting your overall well-being.

Relax-O-Ring: this small and mighty tool for relaxation is a fan-favorite here at Saje largely due to how simple yet effective it is as a part of a stress relieving routine. It’s designed to mimic the effects of reflexology, and helps to support balance and harmony by stimulating reflex points and their corresponding energy zones. Roll up and down each finger and thumb to help ease tension in both the body and mind.

Self care ideas for moms who want to feel recharged and uplifted

Consider this quote from Dr. Ryan Hooper, a clinical psychologist, from an article published for Better by Today. "Self-care is a way to recharge our mental and emotional energy. If we don’t do self-care on a regular basis we will eventually feel drained and burned out. Self-care doesn’t have to take a ton of time; in fact, sometimes it’s the quick, simple things that are happening on a regular basis that keep us recharged."

The next time you’re considering how self care shows up in your own life, we hope you are encouraged to prioritize even the smallest things that bring you peace, joy and happiness.