Mom-of-Two Self-Care Ideas
Since returning to work after the birth of my second babe, during a pandemic no less, I have been working on being intentional about self-care. I know this is totally a buzzword right now, but since 2020 seems to be spilling over into 2021 in terms of COVID, I think practicing self care is truly just a smart mental health best practice.
For me, self-care means doing anything that brings my heart joy. It’s allowing myself some space to do what my soul feels like doing instead of ticking items off my to-do list. As an Enneagram 3, I am deeply motivated by praise and doing well at things. This means checking items off my to-do list gives me great satisfaction, but what it also means is that I’m more susceptible to burnout. When I’m in a burnout phase, I am not mentally healthy or productive in the least bit. Through 2020 I learned that in order to keep myself from reaching burnout, I must proactively fit self-care into my life. I have to schedule it like I would any other to-do, and when it’s time, I have to allow myself to engage in something purely for me and not to further a career or side hustle. Rest is just as productive as the hustle.
So what are my favorite things to do as self-care?
- Reading – I love curling up to a good book right before bed. An added bonus is that this often relaxes me so that I fall asleep faster and more soundly. Of course, there are evenings when I only make it one page before it’s lights out, but even reading a few pages takes me out of my own head full of lists and emails and kid things and is great for my mental health.
- Meditation – I have recently gotten into meditation, and so far, I really like it. I only meditate for 5-10 minutes at a time, and I don’t do it every day, but I have noticed a positive change in my overall outlook on things. I used the Peloton app for meditation, and I do it after my kids leave for school.
- Getting a Manicure – There is something about having my nails done that makes me feel more put together. The world could be falling around me, and as long as my mani is fresh, I feel like I can deal with it. It’s not even about the spa-like experience for me. It is truly the finished product and the fact that I didn’t have to paint my nails myself.
- Watching Trashy TV – This is a sure-fire way to make me feel relaxed after a long day. I’m talking the TV you barely even have to pay attention to until someone pulls someone else’s hair, and then you’re all in. You can scroll through Instagram at the same time because you don’t have to think that deeply about it. After a long day of working and parenting, sometimes I’m too tired for a plot-driven show.
- Enjoying a cup of coffee while it’s still hot – if you know, you know.
What are some of your favorite ways to treat yourself and indulge in self-care?
