What is self-care anyway?
Self Care. It’s two words that seem to get thrown about a lot together just lately. Perhaps they’ve always been there but in more recent times, have come to the forefront of our awareness. So with this in mind, it feels really important and necessary to write about what self-care is and how to go about it. It’s simply about looking after yourself and a bit more…
Self-care for mamas
Why this also might feel so important to parents who’ll read this is because as a parent, perhaps you don’t have the time, motivation or inclination to do some of the things you feel you’d like to or should do now that you have a little person to care for. Just where do you fit in with all this? Well, that’s why it’s extra important! How can you care well for your child if you’re not caring for yourself properly? I’m not talking about ‘being your best self always’ where you need to shine like a superstar and hit burn out pretty fast. I’m talking about grounding, simple steps that WORK FOR YOU to help you be the best human and mama you can be each day. When you read through my list below, just remember they can all be adapted to whatever stage of parenthood you might be at!
My self-care
I figured I’d start by saying some of the self-care I do. It’s funny because writing that last sentence felt like, whoah, who me, I ‘practice’ self-care? Err, yeah, we kind of all do but I guess there’s something about how to do it and how we view it. I don’t actually think, ‘oh it’s time for self-care now’! More like I’ve found things that are important to me, that feel right for me and it’s basically a way of how I take care of myself, how I look after myself.
For me, I meditate every morning. Drinking a cup of tea is important. Going to the gym several times a week is the kindest but not always the easiest thing I can do. Cooking a home cooked dinner at least twice a week is so important. I have non-drinking days. There’s nothing I love more than to have a glass of wine in hand while I’m cooking the evening meal but I’ve learnt that, for me, one is never enough and the bottle will very soon be gone so I only open one when it’s going to be shared or I am happy to indulge! I make sure I walk every day. Movement is so important. Even when I’m writing a blog post or a sleep plan or reading or studying, all the things that I love but they involve stillness, I make sure I move – a walk to the shops or park can be all my body needs. I ban my phone or laptop in bed. I charge my phone up in another room overnight. By the kettle is good then it’s with me for my morning cuppa! I write a gratitude journal. I write 5 reasons why I’m grateful for 1 thing each day. It takes 5 minutes but feels so impactful for me.
Engaging with friends and family is so important to me. I always try to have one or two social events in my diary. Never too many otherwise it’s too much for me but having nothing feels sad so it’s a nice balance for me to have one or two. Read. I read a lot. Listen to podcasts. I listen to podcasts a lot. There’s no doubt books are awesome and always will be but podcasts offer a different experience. Download one and you can listen to it on the go, at the gym, on the train, while you’re doing household chores, the ironing, the cooking (yep, I love this too!) basically anywhere and everywhere, even with your baby in tow!
Self-care ideas and inspiration
So now I’ve shared some of my self-care rituals, here’s a list of ones to think about for yourself. Some small, Some big. And they’re not all right for all people. You’ll know the right ones for you. Trust me. You will. I want to simply inspire you. Once you start with them, stopping will feel like something is missing in your life!
For your mind, heart & body & spirit…
1) Eat regularly
2) Eat healthily
3) Exercise
4) Ask for help
5) Visit GP when needed (don’t put things off)
6) Have a relaxing bath
7) Light a candle
8) Turn the music up & dance around the house!
9) Take a nap (when you can!)
10) Put some nice clothes on. It’s so easy to always wear the same easy clothes. Mix things up!
11) Take breaks and holidays
12) Make time for a digital detox
13) Make time for self-reflection
14) Sleep when your baby sleeps is nonsense – just make it some me time however that looks to you
15) Write a reflection journal
16) Write a gratitude journal
17) Yoga
18) Taichi
19) Meditation
20) Relaxation
21) Qigong
22) Read a book
23) Listen to a podcast
24) Read a new blog post
25) Try something new each week – a trip to a new place, a new recipe
26) Be curious
27) Sometimes say no. It’s ok
28) Clear your email inbox
29) Sort out that over cluttered drawer or cupboard
30) Spend time with friends and family
31) Spend time alone
32) Love yourself. You are enough
33) Nourish yourself with comfort. Eat a warming soup. Wrap yourself in a snuggly blanket
34) Watch a funny video. Laughter is great medicine
35) Spend time with nature. Get outside with the fresh air, the trees and the parks
36) Be open to inspiration
37) Cherish your optimism
38) Sing in the shower
39) Contribute to causes you believe in
40) Take a break sometimes. Even 5 minutes away from a screen or while your baby is napping
41) Make some quiet time to complete admin tasks
42) Take the long route home
43) Do a fast buggy walk with a friend
44) Take the stairs
45) Play a game with the kids
46) Pause for the count of 5 and close your eyes, breath in for 4, hold for 5, out for 6. Feel calm
47) Play some calm music
48) Make some time to stop and notice your surroundings
49) Sitting on the bus, look for your favourite colour, a bird or a butterfly
50) Do a good deed. Take the rubbish out for your neighbour. Babysit for your friend
51) Offer encouragement and praise to a friend
52) Send a text to a friend to tell them what they mean to you
53) Let someone go first in the queue
54) Smile at someone you don’t know (perhaps the new mum in the playgroup)
56) Give a stranger a compliment
56) Give yourself some time, have coffee with a friend
57) Do a crossword or puzzle
58) Sign up for a course you’ve been meaning to do. Look on Udemy or Future Learning for inspiration
59) Look up that things you’ve been wanting to know about
60) Let someone know you appreciate them
61) Call up an old friend
62) Invite a new friend over for a playdate
Conclusion
So there we have it. I hope this post has given you some guidance, ideas and inspiration to get you thinking about your own self-care. There’s always more to add to a self-care list, always things that might not work for you so that’s ok too. It’s a process. It’s a balance between ensuring your body, mind and heart and emotions are in line. The more these are aligned, the better you’ll feel! I’d love to hear what your ideas are and what works for you?
Let’s turn sleep struggles into sleep wins, together, let’s get sleep, sorted mama!
Caroline x
P.S. In case you’re a newbie to my blog (in that case a very warm welcome!), I always add in a couple of affiliate links with a great offer to each post that I think might be of interest to you as a parent. If you choose to click a link and make a purchase on that really cool new item (for you or your baby!) then it’s at NO EXTRA COST to you. I receive a small commission from the retailer and that helps me with the running costs of my website, business and blog. Thanks for all your AMAZING support! xx
