Embracing Self-Care: A Forgotten (and yet vital) Priority for Mothers

Carla Watson
Dec 5, 2024
4 min read

Motherhood is a beautiful, transformative journey filled with many contrasting moments. While navigating its beauty and its fair share of challenges, responsibilities. In the midst of looking after (sometimes what it feels like) everyone, and juggling so many other hats, mamas tend to neglect their own well-being.

Prioritising self-care is not a luxury; it is essential for maintaining physical, emotional, and mental health. Here’s why self-care is crucial and how you can start incorporating it into your life, tailored to your unique situation.

The Importance of Self-Care for Mothers

1. Enhances Well-Being: Regular self-care can significantly improve your overall health and well-being. It reduces stress, boosts energy levels, and enhances your ability to handle daily challenging situations.

2. Modelling Healthy Behaviour: By prioritising self-care, you set a positive example for your children. They learn the importance of taking care of themselves by watching their mama.

3. Prevents Burnout: Continuous caregiving without breaks can lead to burnout, affecting your ability to care for your family effectively. Self-care helps prevent this by allowing you to recharge.

4. Improves Relationships: Taking time for yourself can improve your mental health, aiding you when facing triggers and overwhelming situations, leading to better interactions and connections, especially with your love ones.

Starting Your Self-Care Journey: Tips for Busy Mamas

Every mother’s situation is unique, and the way you incorporate self-care into your routine will depend on your individual circumstances. Here are some practical steps to help you get started:

1. Acknowledge Your Needs:

The first step is recognising that you have needs and that it’s okay to prioritize them. Self-care isn’t selfish; it’s necessary for your well-being and your family’s.

2. Set Realistic Goals:

Start small. Aim for achievable self-care activities that fit into your schedule. Even five minutes of deep breathing or a quick walk can make a difference.

3. Create a Self-Care Routine:

Try to establish a daily or weekly routine that includes self-care activities. This could be a morning meditation, an evening bath, or a weekly hobby class.

4. Delegate Tasks:

Don’t hesitate to ask for help from your partner, family, or friends. Sharing responsibilities can free up time for you to focus on yourself.

5. Incorporate Physical Activity:

Exercise is a powerful self-care tool. It boosts your mood, increases energy levels, and improves overall health. Find an activity you enjoy, whether it’s yoga, dancing, or a brisk walk.

6. Mindful Moments:

Practice mindfulness to stay present and reduce stress. Techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or simply taking a few moments to appreciate your surroundings can be very beneficial.

7. Connect with Others:

Social connections are vital for emotional health. Make time to connect with friends or join a support group for mothers.

8. Nourish Your Body:

Eating a balanced diet and staying hydrated are fundamental aspects of self-care. Prepare meals that nourish you and provide sustained energy.

9. Rest and Recharge:

Ensure you’re getting enough sleep. If you have a newborn, sleep when the baby sleeps. Short naps can also be revitalising.

10. Indulge in Your Passions:

Make time for activities you love, whether it’s reading, gardening, crafting, or any hobby that brings you joy.

Personalized Self-Care

Remember, self-care is highly personal. What works for one mother might not work for another. It’s essential to find activities that resonate with you and fit into your lifestyle. Here are some examples of self-care practices tailored to different situations:

- Example 1:

Short, frequent self-care breaks like deep breathing exercises or a quick walk around the block.

- Example 2:

Integrate self-care into your commute, such as listening to a favorite podcast or practicing mindfulness.

- Stay-at-Home Mothers:

Schedule regular ‘me time’ when your children are napping or engaged in independent play.

How can I help

Prioritising self-care as a mother is a journey, not a destination. It requires self-awareness, planning, and sometimes a bit of creativity. And I would love to help as many mamas as I can. Perhaps you know about the support perinatal groups or the nourishing workshops I facilitate.

Here's how as a Wellbeing Coach I can Support mamas looking to create a tailored self-care routine:

Understanding Individual Needs

Personalised Assessment: This involves understanding your daily routine, responsibilities, and any challenges you face in prioritising self-care.
Setting Goals: Based on each individual, the coach helps you set realistic and achievable self-care goals. These goals are personalised to fit your unique situation, ensuring they are manageable and aligned with your overall wellness objectives.

Creating a Customized Plan

Identifying Priorities: The coach works with you to identify key areas of self-care that need attention. This could include physical health, mental well-being, emotional balance, and social connections.
Designing a Flexible Routine: Working with a Wellbeing Coach can help you ensure that the routine you create is flexible enough to accommodate the unpredictability of motherhood while still prioritising your well-being.
Incorporating Enjoyable Activities: Encouraging you to focus on designing a routine that includes activities you genuinely enjoy and look forward to, not just a trendy set of activities. This increases the likelihood of consistency and helps make self-care a pleasurable part of your day.

Providing Support and Accountability

Regular Check-Ins
Encouragement and Motivation
Sharing Resources

Teaching Essential Skills

Stress Management Techniques: As you coach I am happy to teach my clients, when they ask for it, effective stress management techniques, such as mindfulness, meditation, and deep breathing exercises. These skills can help you stay calm and centred amidst the demands of motherhood.
Time Management: As a wellbeing coach can help you develop better time-management skills, enabling you to carve out dedicated self-care time without feeling guilty or overwhelmed.
Healthy Habits Formation: As your coach I will accompany you in your journey of forming and maintaining healthy habits (the ones you desire), from regular exercise to balanced nutrition, ensuring these habits become an integral part of your lifestyle.

Adapting to Changing Needs

Life Transitions
Continuous Improvement

Helping you Build a Supportive Network

Remember

By making self-care a priority, you not only enhance your own well-being but also become a better caregiver for your family. Remember, you deserve to be cared for just as much as you care for your loved ones. Start small, be consistent, and gradually build a self-care routine that rejuvenates and sustains you. Your health and happiness are worth it. You are worth it.