Top 100 Self Care Ideas for Moms

Do you get overwhelmed sometimes? Tired of always being on the run? Tired of always having to do something? Just plain tired? We all do. 

Whether you’re a working woman or a stay-at-home mom, you know exactly what I’m talking about. As mothers, as wives, and in the different roles we play in our lives when life brings you on the fast track, you often forget that in order to remain sane, you need to catch a break. What do you do then to avoid getting sucked into the wormhole of depression and self-pity? What do you do for self care?

You need to take that nap, you need to go on that drive, you need to go meet that friend, you need to get that massage done. 

Yes. Need. Not want. 

It’s ironic that we as women often think of these little things as luxuries. A long bath for example. A blow-dry just because I want to feel good about myself today. Two hours of coffee and a good book. A shopping trip just to get things for yourself. When was the last time you did that? Went on a shopping spree as a mother and only got things for yourself?

 If you ask me, that’s never. Never as a mother. 

We think of every other person before we think of ourselves. My son might need this. My husband has been looking for this. I can get things for myself later but imagine how happy my child will be. So we give in. What we need to understand is that sometimes it just needs to be about us. We too are human after all.

Did you know that depression is twice as prevalent in women than in men? Why do you think that is? I think it is so because men know how to prioritize themselves. Even when they forget, there is always someone pushing them to do so, whether it is a mother, a wife, or even a friend. 

Women, however, prioritize themselves at the end of their “priority chain”. We have so many people to think about. So many people have an opinion about how mothers should be, how wives should be, and how women, in general, should be. We end up feeling like we have to live up to those expectations. 

Look at men. If they have a certain routine, they almost always have something that they love doing as part of the routine. Whether it’s the gym, a favorite sport, a hobby, watching some sport, or a boys’ night out; they will build their entire schedule around what they love, and they will never compromise on it. 

Why do we do it then? Why do we think a million times before doing something for ourselves?

The Magic of Self-Care

A beautiful friend of mine taught me about self-care. I admit I’m still not very good at it. But when I do get down to it, it feels so good! It literally boosts your entire day and gives you energy bolts for the day. You are happier, calmer, and more ready to listen to the 101 random tantrums of your children, and of course, the man-child. Why? Because you are at peace with yourself. You are happy. 

100 Brilliant Self-Care Ideas

There are a million things you can do as self-care, and frankly, it varies hugely from person to person. What I may call self-care may not be the same for you. Here are some general examples of what self-care can be like:

1. A blow-dry
2. A chat with an old friend
3. A good book
4. A haircut
5. A hot shower
6. A new dress
7. A nap
8. A pillow fight with a friend
9. A pedicure
10. A shopping spree
11. Adopting a pet
12. An hour of Netflix
13. Applying a face mask
14. Asking someone for help
15. Baking
16. Boxing
17. Buying yourself that thing you want but don’t need
18. Coloring with children
19. Complimenting oneself
20. Complimenting yourself in front of a mirror
21. Cooking
22. Daydreaming
23. Dancing
24. Decluttering
25. Doing a digital detox
26. Doing makeup
27. Doing something wild and out of the norm
28. Donating to a cause
29. Dressing up
30. Drinking water
31. Dyeing your hair
32. Eating cake
33. Eating chocolate
34. Eating vitamins
35. Exercising
36. Getting a makeover
37. Getting a massage
38. Getting a tattoo
39. Getting yourself flowers
40. Going barefoot for a day
41. Going camping
42. Going for a long drive
43. Going for a run
44. Going for a walk
45. Going for therapy
46. Going on a date night
47. Going on a diet
48. Going to the beach
49. Going to the park
50. Having ice cream
51. Helping someone in need
52. Hiking
53. Hugging someone
54. Jumping on a trampoline
55. Laughing with a child
56. Learning a new language
57. Learning a new skill
58. Listening to your favorite music
59. Listening to your favorite podcast
60. Making a new friend
61. Making candy
62. Meeting a friend
63. Munching on candy
64. Munching on carbs
65. New shoes
66. Painting
67. Painting your nails
68. Painting your room
69. Planting something
70. Playing a sport
71. Playing a video game
72. Playing hide and seek
73. Playing with Lego
74. Praying
75. Reading a magazine
76. Reading poetry
77. Scrolling on your phone
78. Sharing a joke with a friend
79. Singing in the shower
80. Smiling
81. Soaking in the rain
82. Spa date with a friend
83. Stargazing
84. Stretching
85. Sunbathing
86. Taking a detox bath
87. Taking a long bath
88. Taking deep breaths
89. Taking selfies
90. Telling someone you love them
91. Telling yourself five things you are grateful for
92. Traveling
93. Unfriending toxic people
94. Visiting a theme park
95. Watching a funny movie
96. Watching the sunrise
97. Watching the sunset
98. Working out
99. Writing
100. Yoga

I’m sure there are things on this list that you don’t think are self-care. That’s okay because like I said, it can’t be the same for everyone. Some days, even washing your face and combing your hair is self-care. Some people suggest having a day in the week for yourself if you cannot do something for yourself every day. That is how the term “self-care Sunday” came about. 

The point just is that we have to indulge in something that makes us feel good. And once we do that, once we get out of the rut, and simply take a moment for ourselves, we feel it. We feel that fresh air hitting us in the face. We let that last comment slide. We don’t stretch that argument. We ignore the banter. We smile and we don’t care for a while. 

We become men. 

It’s fun. 

Every woman should try it.