Last Updated on January 27, 2023 by Avi Steen
Are you a mom who feels like you’re always putting everyone else’s needs before your own? If so, you’re not alone. Too often, moms put their own health and well-being last on their list of priorities. But what if we told you that there are 8 areas of self-care that can help you take better care of yourself as you devote yourself to your family?
That’s right, self-care is essential for moms!
Not only does it help you to be the best version of yourself, but it also sets a good example for your children. So how can you make sure that you’re taking the necessary steps to care for yourself?
We’ve got eight areas of self-care for moms to focus on, along with some tips on how to get started.
What is Self Care?
Taking care of yourself is an important part of living a healthy, happy life. Self-care isn’t just about physical health and wellness, either.
It’s about your mental and spiritual wellness, too.
It means making sure you get enough sleep, rest when you need it, and practice good nutrition habits. It also entails leaning on your support system for emotional regulation.
Make sure to stay in touch with the people who mean the most to you and take time for yourself when the stresses of life get too high!
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What Are the 8 Areas of Self-Care?
Physical
Mental
Emotional
Spiritual
Social
Financial
Environmental
Professional
8 Types of Self-Care Explained
Physical Self Care
Physical activities for self-care can look different for everyone. But finding simple ways to prioritize your health can make a world of difference, especially in motherhood.
For example, set realistic goals.
Getting enough quality sleep, exercising regularly, and eating healthy foods can significantly impact how you feel both mentally and physically.
Additionally, indulging in occasional treats and time for yourself without feeling guilty can be part of your physical self-care routine.
It’s definitely a staple and ours!
Taking the steps to give yourself the care that you need is the best way to start on the path toward better physical health.
Examples of Physical Self-Care Activities
Sleep when the baby sleeps
20-30 minutes of movement
Take a soothing hot bath
Get 8 hours of sleep
Sleep in and let hubby take over
Eat a plate full of fruits and vegetables
Eat the piece of chocolate cake too
Mental Health Self Care
Practicing good self-care for your mental health is essential for living a healthy and balanced life. Taking regular breaks throughout the day can help to prevent your mind from becoming overwhelmed.
Breaks can also provide you with more focus and clarity.
Praying, meditation and mindfulness are great mental self-care practices to build up your emotional health.
Journaling can be used as an outlet to express yourself and work through any anxieties or worries that come up.
Developing an intentional mental self-care routine involving these practices will go a long way in supporting your overall well being.
Examples of Mental Self-Care Activities
Daily journaling
Read personal development
Listen to a podcast
Take a walk outside
Lay down on the grass
Take a social media break
Create a self-care plan
Emotional Self Care
When it comes to emotional self-care, it can be difficult to stay focused and find the strength to truly take care of ourselves.
However, setting goals and taking small steps towards achieving them can help you build an effective strategy for managing your emotional wellbeing.
Expressing your emotions in a healthy way, such as saying how you feel out loud or writing out your thoughts in a journal will help you cancel out negative self-talk.
Building a meaningful, supportive, and healthy relationship with people who make you feel safe and loved is another great practice for encouraging positive feelings and self-compassion.
Emotional self-care requires determination and commitment. But with the right approach, you can develop new skills and create a path to effective mental health that creates positive thinking and healthy self-esteem.
Examples of Emotional Self-Care Activities
Reflect on your feelings in a journal
Practice saying no
Set emotional boundaries
Spiritual Self Care
Spiritual self-care aims to enrich and bring balance to your life. It involves connecting with God, finding faith and a purpose in life, and practicing gratitude for the things you have.
All these things can be beneficial for both your mental and physical health, as well as give you the strength to face any challenges or obstacles that come your way.
In moments of worry and pain, spiritual self-care practices provide you with the faith to persevere through anything.
The best part is that this type of self-care can last a lifetime! So find what works for you and make it part of who you are!
Examples of Spiritual Self-Care Activities
Set prayer times
Write a love letter to God
Go on prayer walks
Read the Bible
Attend a virtual bible study
Join a small group
Praise and worship
Social Self Care
One way you can ensure you’re taking the time to focus on yourself is to practice social self-care. I know it sounds strange, but maintaining healthy relationships on your self-care journey is important too.
This could mean reaching out to old friends and family members who always make you feel great. Or why not try joining a new club or support group which focuses on something you are passionate about?
The most important thing to remember is that investing in your relationships always pays off.
Taking the time for self-care shouldn’t be a chore, but rather a purposeful choice to make an impact on your life, no matter how small it may seem!
Examples of Social Self-Care Activities
Plan a day with your friends
Text an old friend
Join a new club or support group
Spending time with your family
Go out and meet new people
Find and join a local mom group
Financial Self Care
Taking the time to form good financial habits can help secure your financial future and put you in a much better position down the line. It’s all about making sound decisions today that will benefit you tomorrow.
Things like saving money for things that are important to you.
Cutting back on unnecessary expenses and living within your means are excellent ways to practice good financial stewardship.
Taking even small steps such as writing down your budget or checking your accounts regularly can really make a big difference over time. Self-care is an important aspect of your daily life, but it’s even more essential when it comes to looking out for your finances.
Examples of Financial Self Care activities
Positive money affirmations
Meet with a personal finance advisor
Write your financial goals
Set a personal spending time budgeting
Environmental Self Care
Honestly, taking care of the environment around you can have a huge impact on your health.
Through environmental self-care, you can learn to stay organized and reduce clutter in both your personal and professional life.
Organization and tidiness help create a sense of calm and belonging that other forms of self-care can’t quite match.
Finding ways to be more organized doesn’t need to be tedious either.
There are plenty of simple ways you can kickstart your environmental self-care regimen today, such as utilizing clever storage solutions or even trying basic daily 15-minute decluttering.
Examples of Environmental Self-Care
Declutter in your home for 15 minutes
Create a cleaning schedule
Organize your desk at work
Professional Self Care
Professional self-care is essential for achieving success in the workplace. Even something as simple as setting clear boundaries for yourself.
Setting boundaries for your working time as well can make a huge difference, as it sets expectations for both you and your coworkers.
It’s also important that you live out your purpose in order to stay motivated and focused.
Having goals to work towards can give you something to strive for and make sure that what you do has a greater meaning.
Examples of Professional Self-Care Strategies
Set work boundaries
Take breaks
Drink water at the top of the hour
Take your lunch break outdoors
Self-Care Is a Non-Negotiable Habit
Self-care is one of those healthy habits that if neglected, can lead to some pretty serious issues.
Learning how to prioritize your own mental and physical well-being leads to a happier and healthier you.
Whether it’s making sure you fit in time for hobbies, getting enough sleep, or keeping up with regular exercise routines.
Self-care should never be seen as selfish but rather as an investment into yourself that will make you more resilient when facing life’s challenges.
Make it your priority and make some much-deserved “you” time!
Everyday Life Self-Care Tips
Making time for extra self-care can be a daunting task, especially if you are trying to juggle family responsibilities with an already busy lifestyle.
However, it is important to remember to take care of yourself in order to be able to better take care of your loved ones.
Even something as simple as scheduling a few minutes each morning for a hot cup of tea and meditation can go a long way.
Even engaging in recreational self-care can help rejuvenate your mental and physical energy. Recreational self-care encourages taking on hobbies that bring you joy.
Taking care of yourself is such an important act of love.
So why not set aside some time each week to give yourself some extra special attention?
The 8 types of self-care including physical, mental, and social self-care can all play a role in your overall health and wellness. Consider adding one or even all of these areas into your life for instant improvement and productivity as a mom.
Octavia Steen is an NBDA certified fertility doula, health coach, certified fitness nutrition specialist, aspiring missionary with the COGIC, and owner of Mother Mindset. She helps future and current mamas become more consistent in faith + fitness and grow closer to God so they can create a healthier lifestyle from the inside out!