5 Ways to Make Self-Care a Priority When You're a Working Mom
"The most important thing is to take care of yourself. If you don't take care of yourself, you can't take care of anyone else." - Maya Angelou
Moms who work have a great deal of responsibilities to balance. They're juggling work, family, and all the other demands of everyday life. It can be easy to put their own needs on the back burner, but it's important to make time for self-care. Self-care is essential for all aspects of our lives like our physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, and financial health, and it can help working moms be better at everything they do.
Here are 5 self-care tips for working moms:
Get enough sleep. Sleep is essential for everyone, but it's especially important for working moms. When you're well-rested, you'll have more energy and patience for your kids and your job. Aim for 7-8 hours of sleep per night.
Eat healthy foods. Eating healthy is another important way to take care of your physical health. When you eat healthy foods, you'll have more energy and you'll feel better overall. Make sure to include plenty of whole and clean foods such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in your diet.
Exercise regularly. Exercise is a great way to relieve stress and improve your mood. It can also help you sleep better and have more energy. If possible, aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate to intensity exercise most days of the week.
Take some time for yourself. It's important to make time for yourself, even if it's just for a few minutes each day. Do something that you enjoy and that makes you feel good. This could be reading, taking a bath, listening to music, or spending time with friends.
Ask for help. Don't be afraid to ask for help from your partner, family, friends, or a professional. There are people who care about you and want to help you succeed. Don't try to do everything on your own.
Additional tips for working moms who want to incorporate more self-care into their routines:
Set boundaries. It's important to set healthy boundaries between your work life and your personal life. This means leaving work at work and not checking work emails or taking work calls outside of your normal work hours.
Delegate tasks. Share the load and don't be afraid to delegate tasks to your partner/significant other, family members, friends, or a professional. This will free up some of your time so you can focus on self-care.
Take mini-breaks throughout the day. Get up and move around, step outside for some fresh air, or close your eyes and take a few deep breaths. These mini-breaks can help you de-stress and recharge.
Make self-care a priority. Schedule time for self-care in your calendar just like you would schedule any other important appointment. This will help you make sure you actually make time for it.
Here are some podcasts, books, and websites that offer support, resources, and tips for working moms:
Women at Work Podcast: Hosted by editors at the Harvard Business Review, Amy Bernstein, Nicole Torres, and Sarah Green Carmichael. The podcast features interviews with women leaders from a variety of industries, discussing their experiences in the workplace and offering advice to other women. The podcast is a great resource for women who are looking to advance their careers or who want to learn more about the challenges and opportunities facing women in the workplace.
Work, Parent, Thrive Book: The Work, Parent, Thrive: 12 Science-Backed Strategies to Ditch Guilt, Manage Overwhelm, and Grow Connection (When Everything Feels Like Too Much) book by Yael Schonbrun offers practical advice for working parents who are feeling overwhelmed and guilty. The book draws on scientific research to provide 12 strategies for working parents to ditch guilt, manage overwhelm, and grow connection. The book is a valuable resource for working parents who are looking for ways to improve their work-life balance and mental health.
The Motherhood Institute: This website provides research and resources on the challenges and opportunities of motherhood. It has a blog with articles on topics such as self-care, work-life balance, and the impact of motherhood on women's careers. The Motherhood Institute also offers a variety of programs and workshops for working moms.
MomsRising: This website is a non-profit organization that advocates for working moms. It offers resources and support for working moms, as well as campaigns to improve the workplace for working moms.
NOURISH TIP: Listen to a podcast as you’re getting ready for the day to squeeze in some inspiration, career growth tips, or motivation to start your day. You’ll gain invaluable insights while not impacting your schedule.
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