Any single mom, or any mom really, knows it’s normal to forget about self-care. We are made to think our full devotion has to be on our kids, then work, then life, and lastly us. Our days are long and at the end we are left exhausted and depleted. If you’re a working single mom you leave your job to go home and start another job. When the kids are sick or cranky, it can feel like the longest day of your life, so doing self -care will fill completely selfish and unnecessary as it’s time that could otherwise be devoted to the kids.
Well, it’s this belief and practice that drives is to burn out. In order to give fully to our kids, we need to take care of ourselves.
‘You can’t pour from an empty cup. You must fill your cup first’.
So, what is self-care for moms? It’s a joyful process; it’s definitely not selfish. If you don’t take care of yourself, you are on your way to depression and depletion. Who then will care for those precious kids you love? For this reason, self-care is so important.
Self-care is necessary and shouldn’t feel like a burden while practicing. The key to it is to develop a routine that is fun and easy to stick with. Play around with different ways to practice, pick what is convenient and utterly easy for you to indulge in. Here are self-care tips for the fabulous single moms.
1. Have a support system
Married or single you can’t go at it alone. You need a support system, whether it’s family, friends, a nanny, high school, or college-age babysitter. Whatever form your support comes in make sure you have one. It’s one of the key ways to make sure self-care happens.
2. Take a vacation or a staycation
When stress piles up on you as a single mom, it takes a toll. Plan a vacation to reduce stress. Plan ahead, and reach out to friends or family members who can help with babysitting. Go with friends or go alone. If getting out of town isn’t an option, take a staycation, enjoy a day in your city, visit the museum, a city attraction, sit in the park and people-watch. Spend a day locally. With work and kids, we sometimes never enjoy the city or town we live in.
3. Sweat!!!
Physical activity gives you all you need for balanced well-being. Single mom life may not include gym time. Don’t worry, call a friend over and go for a 30-minute walk. Any type of movement is good movement.
4. Treat yourself to dinner
You don’t need a date to have dinner. Get the kids off to bed then order yourself a nice meal, top it off with champagne and music. Or schedule a babysitter and enjoy dinner in a fancy restaurant. You’re a mom, you deserve it.
5. Learn something new
Kill your curiosity by learning something new. Take that cooking class, learn to crochet, or any other activity that you’ve been wanting to do. You can also involve your kids and make it a fun family activity.
6. Smile and do it a lot
Brighten your mood? Smile! That’s it. We have so much to be thankful for.
7. Pamper yourself
There is no law in the single mom’s handbook that says you can’t pamper yourself and do it guilt-free. Soak in a hot bath, get a massage, do your hair differently and feel like the queen of your castle. There’s nothing wrong with that. We spend our money on so much nonsense, so don’t shy away from spending some money and time on yourself.
8. Nothingness wouldn’t hurt
Doing nothing for a few hours can do a lot for your soul. Take a nap, listen to soothing music, or meditate for a few minutes. All you need to do is schedule it, schedule yourself into your calendar, so you have nothing to do but ‘YOU’.
9. Indulge in your favorite guilty pleasures
We all have guilty pleasures. Just indulge in yours.
10. Create boundaries
Learn to say no to others and say more yes to yourself. It makes you feel good and in charge.
Self-care goes a long way to relieving stress that piles up and gives you the opportunity to take on the world. As a single mom, you need to feel loved, accepted, and in charge. Self-care goes a long way in guaranteeing that happens.
