Self-care is such a common conversation topic now that it almost feels like a buzzword. It’s used to sell spa memberships and bath bombs and bottles of wine, but there is so much more to self-care.

Self-care is exactly what is says – taking care of yourself. As moms, we have to put our kids’ needs ahead of our own; that’s just part of the job. But that doesn’t mean our needs should be neglected completely. We are important, whole human beings who need attention and TLC.

Let’s go talk about real self-care. This goes beyond basic hygiene – don’t let anyone convince you that you should always settle for a simple five-minute shower and going to the bathroom alone. But you also don’t have to spend hundreds of money a hours of time each day giving yourself a little extra love.

It can seem confusing, and that’s why we wanted to put together a list of realistic self-care ideas. These ideas are not necessarily expensive or time-consuming; they simply allow space for moms to consider their own needs and wants as they care for the family.

Self-Care Suggestions You Can Actually Implement

Here is our list of affordable, realistic self-care ideas for busy moms on a budget.

1. Try taking a long shower or a bath. I know, I know – we started out with an obvious one. But it’s a good place to start. We all need to be clean, so taking the time to enjoy your hygiene routines can be a natural way to bring self-care into our everyday lives. Instead of rushing through a shower and brushing your teeth, take a while to enjoy a bath. Read a book or listen to music while you soak. Pull out those fancy body washes in the back of the cabinet. Exfoliate. Do whatever you want, and take your time. This may not feasible all the time, but planning ahead to give yourself this at-home pampering session is an easy and cheap way to make quality time for yourself.
2. Make a dinner you like. We’ve all been in the chicken nugget rut. And we get it – sometimes, it’s just not worth the hassle of fighting over dinner or worrying about your kids being full. Still, you are an adult and deserve to enjoy eating the food you make. So, when you can, make a dinner that excites you. If the kids don’t like it, that’s ok. You can go the strict parent route and make them eat what’s in front of them, or you can give them a PB and J. Either way, you get a delicious meal that leaves you physically and emotionally satisfied.
3. Schedule your appointments and stick to them. Honestly, this barely counts as self-care. Prioritizing our own health should not be so difficult. But, for many of us mothers, it is. So take an hour and schedule all the appointments you need, from the OBGYN to the dentist. Write them on the calendar or put them in your phone, whatever you need to do to remember them. Then, stick to those appointments. Don’t let PTO meetings and play groups take over, especially when your health and well-being are at stake. You matter, and you deserve a mind and body that function well. Take your medical appointments seriously.
4. Do a hobby for fun. This might sound obvious, but it’s worth mentioning. So many of us feel like we need to be productive at all times, so we don’t have time for hobbies that are just for our own personal benefit. We often feel like we have to turn them into side hustles to make extra money, or we tell ourselves we aren’t talented enough to even try new interests. But not everything has to have an end goal; sometimes we can just have fun. For example, you could take up walking in the mornings simply to exercise your body and see the sunrise – you don’t have to count calories or test out the latest weight loss fad. You can just enjoy your hobby!
5. Take a turn for yourself. As a mom, you have to help your kids learn about sharing and taking turns, right? Well, don’t forget that you also deserve a turn! When you are planning a family vacation, choose at least one activity that excites you, even if it’s not super interesting to the little ones. When you set up a weekly family movie night, make sure you put yourself into the rotation to pick the movie and snacks. Heck, let yourself have a turn picking out the music in the car (there’s only so much “Let It Go” we can handle, right?)! The point is that taking your turn will help your kids see that your input and your happiness also matter. You are not an invisible member of the family.

It’s Okay to Care About Yourself

Many of us have internalized a lie – that taking care of ourselves is selfish. It’s simply not true. As human beings, we deserve love, kindness, care, and compassion just as much as our children and other loved ones. By no means should you neglect your parenting responsibilities in order to follow your every whim, but you also don’t have to sacrifice all of your needs and wants because you are a mom.

We hope that this list was not earth-shattering and that you actually already get opportunities to practice self-care. But, if you don’t, please take heart that it is possible to show yourself some love while also being a good mom. It might take some perseverance and creativity, but it is possible. You are worth it!