Self-Care Ideas For Moms: Simple Ways To Nurture Mind, Body, And Soul (Free)

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Need self-care ideas for moms? Find the inspiration you need with these simple ways to nurture your mind, body, and soul.

As a mom of five boys, I know how hard it can be to find time to take care of yourself. And I also know how incredibly important it is to do so.

Let's ditch the guilt or any negative feelings you may have about self-care. Discover just how easy it can be to incorporate these positive practices into your life (no matter how busy you are) and get this free printable list and poster for reminders!

Why You Need to Take Care of Yourself To Thrive as a Mom

Mama, you matter!

As a busy mom, I know how easy it is to get caught up in the daily grind. There's always so much to think about and do. When you're in the trenches of motherhood, it can feel like a never-ending loop of to-do lists and being pulled in every direction.

And I know what it's like to feel like you have no time to take care of yourself.

But, here's the thing: No one else is going to take care of you the way that you can. No one else can intuitively know what you need to feel better, to feel refreshed, to feel rejuvenated. And no one else can make you block off time (even if it's only five minutes!) to actually do those things that you need for your mind, body, and soul.

Raising five boys has taught me a lot of things. For example, I've learned to give up on my perfectionistic housekeeping tendencies and just roll with the little dents in the walls from play with toy cars. I've mastered how to stretch meals to keep ravenous young men well-fed. Most importantly, I've discovered that if I want to be the very best mom to my kids that I need to prioritize taking care of myself.

When we started homeschooling about 14 years ago, I took on a whole lot of extra responsibilities. During that time, our family also grew to 5 busy boys. I often felt lucky if I got I had the bathroom to myself for a few minutes.

For a period of time, my entire focus was on raising and homeschooling my 5 boys. My health and well-being was put on the back burner. After a particularly difficult day, I was beyond exhausted and snapped. And it was no one's fault but mine.

I put this ridiculous amount of pressure on myself to do everything and be everything to everyone. But, I forgot about one very important person in the equation - me!

So, I decided that self-care time was going to be a priority - even if it was for a few minutes a day. I knew that I had to be flexible about what self-care was going to look like. Also, I knew that I needed to make sure that I was getting enough exercise and healthy food to help me counteract stress, as well as have energy for my soul.

With 100% honesty, I will say that decision to prioritize self-care a busy homeschool mom was one of the best decisions I've made. I continue to carve out precious time for myself to exercise, hydrate, eat well, and feed my soul. And I've never felt better!

Over the years, I've shared several resources about self-care ideas for moms. I'm adding this new resource in case it better fits your style or if you need to change things up a bit. I hope these ideas inspire you to incorporate essential self-care practices into your life, too.

Learn More About These +30 Self-Care Ideas for Moms

This free printable pack of self-care ideas for moms includes 3 pages. The positive messages and suggestions are featured in pretty yellows and blues.

The 30 ideas for self-care for moms are on 2 pages. One page has a white background and the other page has a yellow background. There are 10 ideas for each category of mind, body, and soul.

A quote is on the third page. You could use this quote as a poster, addition to your planner, or adhere to the back of one of the lists. The quote by Lalah Delia is, "Self-care is how you take your power back."

Self-Care Ideas for Your Mind

Here are the 10 reminders for self-care to nurture your mind. I encourage you to add your own ideas on the side of this list or on the back of the page.

• 1. Do a brain dump

Are you familiar with how to do a brain dump? It's a relatively easy practice that allows you to take all those thoughts swirling around your head and get them down on paper. You can also use a voice recorder app to capture your thoughts.

• 2. Color some mandalas

The act of coloring can be so soothing and calming! It's one of my favorite activities. I love to get out a fresh box of crayons or my glitter gel pens. The repetitive patterns of mandalas can be fantastic for self-care. You can get my free printable mandala coloring pages and bookmarks to make it easy to get started.

• 3. Clean out a closet

Got an area of your home that's getting on your nerves or needs attention? Cleaning out a closet or even a drawer can make you feel more organized and less frazzled. I find it a wonderful centering practice!

• 4. Take a long walk

A quiet walk taken with intention can do wonders for clearing your mind. If I can get outside, it's amazing what breathing fresh air in and out can do. Also, I will quietly walk around my home (even laps in a room) to practice mindfulness.

• 5. Complete a puzzle

Do you like puzzles? I love all sorts of puzzles! Jigsaw, crossword, word search, and even a good ol' Rubik's Cube. Focusing your attention on the challenge can help you channel your energy into a positive activity.

• 6. Journal

Jotting down your thoughts and feelings is another amazing mindfulness practice. When you journal, center your attention on the here-and-now as much as possible. If you find that you your attention is being drawn to the past or future, no worries! Gently bring it back to the present.

• 7. Create a vision board

I absolutely LOVE making vision boards! My boys and I enjoy this activity as part of our back to homeschool fun. And I make one for my business, too. There's something so cool about envisioning your goals and hopes - and then turning those ideas into a visual reminder.

• 8. Daydream

When you have a few minutes (or longer) and your attention is required for an activity, I highly letting yourself daydream. If possible, shut your eyes. If not, no worries - just go for it! You can pick a topic or not. It's your daydream - use this time to imagine, especially positive people, settings, and events.

• 9. Listen to a podcast

Find a podcast for your current self-care need, pop in those ear buds (or a set of headphones), and be refreshed. I like to listen to podcasts for my blogging-related adventures and about birds (one of my boys is totally into birdwatching and has got me hooked!). Maybe you prefer entertainment and could go for one of those true crime podcasts? There are SO many different types of podcasts out there. Do a search and give one a try.

• 10. Learn a new language

A cool challenge for your mind is to learn a foreign language. Use an app like DuoLingo or Rosetta Stone. Pick a language that you've always wanted to learn or go for a fun one like Klingon.

Positive Practices for Your Body

When your body is rested and refreshed, you can feel like you can do almost anything. Let's look at 10 ideas for taking care of your physical well-being.

• 1. Drink water

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! It seems like this motto is chanted more and more these days. And for good reasons! Getting enough water helps your body function at its best.

• 2. Stretch

Let your muscles relax and stretch out. This simple activity can go a long way to making you feel better and less stressed.

• 3. Get enough sleep

Are you getting enough Zzz's? I know how hard it can be to get enough sleep when you have a lot of responsibilities and thoughts running through your head. You'll be able to function at your best when you get plenty of shut-eye.

• 4. Get a massage

If possible, get a massage. Not in your budget or schedule? Try a massage gun! My older boys got one to use after their soccer trainings and games. It's a wonderful way to get a DIY massage at home.

• 5. Take vitamins

Are you getting enough essential vitamins and minerals? A great way to make sure you're functioning at your best is to take vitamins for your current physical needs.

• 6. Eat enough fresh fruit and vegetables

A well-balanced diet full of healthy food is a smart form of self-care. Shop for seasonal produce. Prepare as much as you can ahead of time to make it easy to grab and enjoy.

• 7. Eat organic food when possible

If it's within your budget, go for organic! These options (especially for fruits and vegetables) can make a difference if it helps you feel better overall.

• 8. Quit a bad habit

Got a habit that's sapping your energy or mindfulness? Star working towards ending that bad habit. Make a plan and talk to a supportive person who can help you stay accountable.

• 9. Move your body more

I like to think of this idea as adding a positive habit. Get up and move! There are so many ways to practice this idea. Consider how much time you have, what space you have to work with, if you're alone (or with kids), and your budget. I love to go for a walk/run to get my heart rate up but take it easy on my joints.

• 10. Take care of your skin

This self-care practice can be done in a variety of ways. Simply splashing water on your face can feel outstanding. I find a DIY facial mask is delightful. Consider getting some affordable facial tools (like a roller).

Simple Ways to Care for Your Soul

Another important piece of self-care is taking care of your soul. Your spiritual needs (religious or not) must be replenished. Here are 10 ideas for soul-self-care.

• 1. Meditate (or pray)

Quiet, contemplative time is a powerful self-care practice. This time can be used to completely clear your mind or to recite prayers or chants. Do what best fits your belief system.

• 2. Watch a sunrise and sunset

Witnessing the start and end of a day (or end and beginning of night!) can be so peaceful. As you do this activity, think about what you're gaining from the experiences.

• 3. Spend more time in nature

Connecting with nature can be just the ticket, especially if you're stuck inside all day. Go on a nature walk. Sit under a tree. Lay back on the grass and just breathe.

• 4. Light a candle

Aromatherapy is an awesome way to practice self-care. A candle or essential oils with a scent selected for your current self-care need is powerful. You can also focus on a candle flame to calm and center.

• 5. Plant flowers

Take your time in nature to the next level. Plant flowers or a garden. If the weather isn't quite right, consider working on indoor plants.

• 6. Cuddle with a pet

Got a pet that you can snuggle with? Go for it! One of my favorite forms of self-care is cuddling our dog, Cooper. If you don't have a pet, ask a family member or friend. Or grab a stuffed animal!

• 7. Listen to uplifting music

Sound is another powerful way to treat yourself. Choose music based on your mood (or how you want to feel). Make a playlist to access when you need it.

• 8. Reflect and practice gratitude

When you stop and appreciate your blessings, you're practicing self-care. Those feelings of thankfulness can help you turn off negative or critical thoughts. Although my free printable gratitude scavenger hunt was created for kids, moms can totally benefit from using it, too!

• 9. Call a friend

In our busy modern age, text messages and emails have taken the place of phone calls and letters. Connect with a friend or family member. Bonus points for writing a letter, too!

• 10. Do yoga

Enjoy a few minutes (or longer) of yoga. If yoga isn't your thing, pick another quiet activity that helps you connect to your body.

Get Your Free Printable Self-Care Ideas for Moms Set

High five! Girl, I'm SO proud of you for wanting to make self-care a positive practice in your life!

This free printable set includes 3 pages (with checklists of 30 ideas and quote poster).

Please make as many copies of these printables as you need for your own use, family or community event. If you have a friend or co-worker who could benefit from these ideas, share this post. Thank you in advance for your sharing!

To get this free printable pack of self-care ideas for moms, subscribe to Rock Your Homeschool.

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⭐️ Get your free printable self-care ideas for moms checklists and poster! ⭐️

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