If there is ever a time in history when self care is at maximum importance, it’s now. The research is in and working moms have been hit the hardest with the coronavirus stay at home orders and school closures. We’re expected to keep working normal hours in the office, home school our kids, and manage the household, all under challenging circumstances of a pandemic.
While we all know self care is important, and need it desperately, it’s hard to stick to a self care plan that constantly refreshes and rejuvenates us. Keep scrolling for a strategy that will help you not only stick to self care, but make it a priority that rejuvenates your life and work.
How to Make a Self Care Strategy (And Stick With It)
In order to make a self care strategy a normal part of your routine, try following these steps:
Determine how you recharge. Not everyone enjoys the same self care activities. While some working moms may enjoy a spa day, other moms may want to get her hands dirty and work in the garden or take a pottery class. Don’t force yourself to do “self care” that isn’t right for. Think about the activities you love and how you feel afterwards. If the activity makes you happy, rejuvenates your body, and clears your mind - then it’s probably a great self care activity for you!
Schedule time in your calendar for you. All working moms are busy, busy, busy. But we seem to make time for things when it’s in our calendar. Use your organization and commitment to your calendar work for your self care routine as well. Set a time on your phone or computer for whatever self care activity you choose and don’t cancel. You can also set up multiple pre-meeting alerts to remind yourself. I’ve even gone as far as setting reminders in my phone itself that share a message from me, like, “Hey! It’s almost self care time. Wrap up what you are doing and don’t miss it!”
Set one or two self care goals. Setting a goal and getting formal with self care might make it seem too...business-like. But just like in business, setting a goal will help you reach it! Here are a couple of examples of self care goals:
In the next month, I will schedule one self care activity a week.
I will set aside 15 minutes a day to turn off all technology, find a quiet spot, and read a fun book.
Get an accountability buddy. When you want to reach your goals, you tap a person you trust to hold you accountable. This proven tactic can work for self care success as well. The best accountability buddy is someone who has a similar self goal so that you can monitor each other’s progress and encourage one another empathetically.
Observe how self care affects your life and work. After you’ve decided what you will try as your self care activities, set goals, scheduled the activities in your calendar, and found an accountability buddy, it’s time to pay attention. What you think will work may not. What you don’t think will work, may be the key you’ve been looking for. After your self care activities, take note on how you feel. Maybe you need to try a different activity, or you may just need to make tweaks to your schedule. For example, 15 minute quiet time first thing in the morning may not be feasible if you have young kids, so doing it over your lunch break may work better.
17 Self Care Ideas for the Working Mom
Here are 17 self care activities for the working mom to help you brainstorm and explore options that may work for you as you:
Indulge in a Spa day (you can do this at home!)
Practice self meditation (Kristin Neff has some great exercises!)
Take part in a clearing exercise (like this one from Maria Tucker)
Exercise
Go for a hike
Watch a movie that you choose
Indulge in your favorite food or dessert
Take a nap
Go to bed early
Take an art class
Write in a journal
Spend 15 minutes a day meditating
Write a gratitude list
Write letters to friends and family
Take up a new hobby (for example: scrapbooking, leather making, or photography)
Redecorate your work space or bedroom
Buy a new outfit, makeup, or accessory that makes you feel beautiful
Many of these steps above can be taken with a friend so I would encourage you to enlist a friend in your self care if that feels good to you. Self care done with someone you connect with positively is twice the fun!
What else would you add to the list? Parents Pivot is always looking for new ways to support working moms in their transition back to paid work. If you’d like 1:1 support and resources, contact Anna at Parents Pivot today!
