When you become a mom, you trade in certain joys for different ones. Your eight hours of sleep every night transforms into quiet nighttime moments with giggling babies. Long hours learning new cooking techniques becomes letting your little ones sample new foods for the first time as you catch their reactions on video.
You’d never give up the happiness that motherhood brings, but many moms also miss the time they used to spend on themselves. Even if you miss something as simple as putting a fresh coat of nail polish on every night, there’s nothing wrong with recognizing those feelings.
Banish those unhappy thoughts with these five five-minute self-care hacks. You can fit them in whenever you have a free minute or two, so you don’t have to disrupt your daily schedule.
1. Wear Your Headphones
As soon as your first baby comes into the world, moms go on high alert. You’re always listening, waiting to jump in and help your child. You listen to their tiny baby breaths while they nap as infants and keep your ears tuned to any sibling roughhousing later on.
You also have to listen to their favorite music, whether you want to or not. The seventh rendition of “The Wheels on The Bus” will keep them from screaming in the backseat of the car, but don’t forget you can have favorite songs too.
When your child is asleep or contentedly playing with toys, wear your headphones and listen to a few minutes of your favorite music. It’s refreshing to engage the adult part of your brain with grown-up songs and renew your energy for the day.
2. Start Your Day With Yoga
You might know a few friends who love going to yoga. It stretches your muscles and focuses your mindset, so it’s nice to do when your life has a hectic schedule.
Your kids keep you on your feet from morning to night, but you know their routine better than anyone. Wake up five minutes earlier than they do and start your day with yoga to center your energy and make you feel powerful. You don’t need to pay for a gym membership or yoga equipment to enjoy the benefits of yoga right at home.
3. Use Glycerine Daily
Most people skip their daily skincare routine when they’re exhausted or in a rush, which is a familiar feeling for moms. If you narrow down your skincare routine to a few key ingredients, you’ll get all the help you need in just a couple of minutes.
Glycerine is an important skincare ingredient that not many people have heard of. It’s used in most beauty products because it draws out water from the dermis, which is the second layer of skin. It naturally moisturizes with the water already in your skin, skipping the heavy oils and lotions that most people use for dry skin.
Check your skincare products to ensure they have glycerine in them for effortless moisturization. You’ll find it in products such as:
- Toners
- Cleansers
- Soaps
- Sunscreens
The more you use glycerine, the more your skin will radiate with a natural glow. Keep your skin young and clean with this simple ingredient.
4. Shower Before Bed
After the kids have gone to bed and you know they’ll stay put for the night, use five minutes to relax in the shower. Even if you don’t wash your hair, your skin will benefit from time under the hot water and steam.
Enjoy the feeling of washing your day away while the steam opens up your pores and cleanses them of dirt and bacteria. If you end every night with skin care products, a steamy shower helps your skin absorb them for the best results. Spend an extra five minutes in the shower or over a pot of near-boiling water if you don’t want to get out of your pajamas.
5. Enjoy Your Working Lunch
According to a recent employment data survey, 77% of mothers with kids under the age of six work a full-time career while taking care of their kids. If you’re one of those moms, you know how hard it is to fit in self-care time during your limited number of free hours after work.
Instead of cramming in more things to do every night, enjoy your working lunch by taking advantage of it. Use the half-hour or hour break you get every day to take a walk and reflect. You might journal after you eat or call a friend to catch up. Spend that hour doing whatever you prefer for self-care to get in five minutes or more per weekday.
Think About Your Routine
Moms are always busy, but you know your routine. Some days are easier to predict than others, even if you’re always on the go. Think about your typical routine to find the best place to spend five minutes on yourself. Use self-care practices like glycerine skincare products, yoga or a phone call with a friend to treat yourself for always giving motherhood your all.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
Speak Your Mind