Self-Care Hacks for Busy Moms

Last weekend, I was listening to a podcast on my run - per usual - and the guest being interviewed was talking about how he adds in one new habit every single month. It could be reading for 10 minutes everyday, doing a daily gratitude or meditation session, etc. But, instead of doing it ALL at the beginning of the year, he just focuses on creating one new habit every month.One of the habits I started about 6 months ago was a weekly practice of self-care. Actually, I try to do some sort of mini self-care every single day, but it’s something that I have found has made a HUGE difference in my confidence, my mood, and my overall wellbeing.And it’s SO simple! I feel like a lot of time we think of self-care as being an all-day trip to the spa, including facials, massages, mani/pedis, etc.Y’all… it’s doesn’t have to be time consuming or elaborate. You can literally practice self-care everyday in just 5-minutes!Here are a few of my favorite self-care “hacks” for my fellow busy mamas. I’ve included short, simple things you can do on a daily basis, as well as some bigger self-care habits you can start implementing!Got 5-minutes?! Try this…I know for me - especially when I was working full time - time for ME was a CHORE. I just didn’t have it. But, what I didn’t realize is that I could do something for me in just 5 extra minutes a day by adding it in to my normal routine.When I only have 5-minutes, I want to make the effects long lasting. My go-to short, sweet self-care hacks come in the form of MASKS!Before getting in the shower (or before washing my face at night), I put on a face mask. My favorite is this charcoal one from Beautycounter, but you can find some decently cheap, natural face masks at Target as well. I also love this sheet mask you can find at Target for less than $3! Takes 5 minutes and it leaves my skin silky smooth and looking radiant!I also LOVE hair masks! I typically save these for the weekend (especially since I don’t wash my hair everyday anymore) and substitute a hair mask in place of my typical conditioner. I’m OBSESSED with this hair transformation mask by MONAT - it leaves my hair feeling like BUTTER!Got 30 minutes?! Try this…Back at the end of the year, I was in a really good habit of taking a bath once a week. I am a busy body - I ALWAYS need to be doing SOMETHING stimulating. I can’t just sit and watch TV - I need something that stimulates me a little more than that. So, you can imagine that it’s really hard for me to unplug and just “BE.”I realized when I was in the Bahamas that taking a bath (something that I really don’t particularly enjoy) is about the only thing that I could do AWAKE that would force me to just sit + BE. I’m not a huge bath person… but I go back to the FRIENDS episode where Monica makes Chandler the perfect bath and he falls in love with it. With a few of the right products and atmosphere, you can create your own Monica-Perfect Bath!Bath bombs are always a must! (Side note: it’s awkward when you are sending a care package to a friend who just had a baby and telling the post office you have bath BOMBS in it…) Even better, when it’s infused with CBD. If you haven’t heard about CBD, you might just be living under a rock! CBD is great for helping with inflammation, so a bath filled with the anti-inflammatory effects is just about the best thing EVER.I’m all about the bubbles, candles, and essential oil. A few drops of lavender or eucalyptus in the tub, some girl bubbles (not your kids’ bubbles), dimmed lights and a candle… you have the making of your own relaxing spa. This doesn’t have to be a daily thing, but if you can carve out 30 minutes once a week, I’m telling you, it’s better (and cheaper) than a spa day!Got an hour or more?! Try this…OK, so I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that I DO have self-care DAY about once a month. While I do love a good massage, I never want it to end. Like I need a 24/7 massage for me to really feel the benefits all the time. Yup, I’m being a spoiled brat like that, but massages just aren’t the end-all, be-all for me.I used to do one once a month, but wanted something that I could take with me after it was over. Enter the mani/pedi day! Once a month, I carve out an afternoon (90 minutes to 2-hours) and treat myself to a mani/pedi! Not only is it super relaxing, but I get to enjoy my pretty nails for weeks after! And my runner feet thank me for it as well!People touching your hands or feet not your thing? Go for your typical massage, or try something NEW! Maybe a facial, or a cryotherapy session, or some time in the float spa! But, I encourage you to TREAT YO’SELF once a month…Because, Mama, YOU DESERVE IT!