10 Ideas for Self Care You Can Do at Home

I don’t know about you, but finding the time or energy to take care of myself disappeared once I had kids. Enter the pandemic and ooph. Even harder.

Self-care is so important, especially for us moms. But, often, what’s recommended are manicures, pedicures, massages, or facials. Don’t get me wrong, these are AMAZING ways to take care of yourself and de-stress. But, they might not be in your budget. Plus, taking the time to schedule the massage, find somebody to watch the kids, and drive all the way there…all of those steps can feel overwhelming. It’s nice to have ideas for self care ideas can do at home! Especially right now! Thank you, Covid.

So, I decided to collect ideas for self care that don’t require you to leave the house. Added bonus: they either don’t cost much or are worth every penny. 

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10 Ideas for Self Care You Can Do at Home:

1. 1. Face mask – The very image of a relaxing mom shows her laying back, maybe in a tub, with a face mask on. There are SO many options now! Charcoal, creams, sheets, I love them all. I’m especially a sucker for the sheets, very easy to apply, affordable, and my skin always feels good afterwards. You can find these at most stores now, but here’s a link to 16 for less than $12! If you prefer your relaxation with a side of silly, check out these animal face masks:
       
   2. Bubble bath – Speaking of stereotypical mom-life – going to be honest here, I hate baths. I can’t relax in them at all. They just feel so groooooss. BUT, in case you enjoy them, make the bath extra luxurious with a ton of bubbles. I LOVE Dr Teal products (basically the only time I’m in a bath is for an Epsom soak) here’s an extra soothing option with lavender (my kids love this one!)
      
   3. Meditate – Why meditation? It can give you a sense of calm, peace, and balance that can help regulate your emotions (and nervous system!) Plus, the benefits outlast your meditation session! Studies show the calming benefits continue during your day! There are so many options to learn meditation, and so many apps. I’ve used the Calm App (you can try it out for free) but I have friends who enjoy the Headspace app. Nowadays, I mostly use my Peloton app for when I need a quick calm down. (PSST – I LOVE my Peloton and if you click that link, make sure you use my referral code: Q27YMG to get $100 off accessories!!) This is a great way to take a break in the middle of the day to check in with yourself but I also HIGHLY recommend sleep meditations if you are struggling to turn off your brain at night. There’s no reason to suffer through a rambling brain at night – let a professional walk you through calming your mind and body and get your rest.
   4. Get outside!! Take a walk, garden, do yoga in your back yard, find an uncrowded trail, and maybe go hug a tree. It’s always smart to get some Vitamin D, but especially right now you need to get outside. Even if you’re just (safely) wandering your neighborhood. It is so important for mental health. Don’t believe me? What about Hahvahd? https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/a-prescription-for-better-health-go-alfresco
   5. Indulge – Pick one product to indulge in. My suggestion: Folk Potions Magic Face Oil – lasts FOREVER and is truly wonderful. You can get it off Folk Potion’s Etsy shop OR directly from her website. This is pure magic and it’s the only thing I use for my skincare! Or maybe you love candles, splurge on a fancy 5 wick organic whatever. (I don’t actually know anything about candles). But, you’re allowed the nice things. If you can’t afford ALL of the nice things, pick one. And use it. Don’t keep it for a “special” day. You are special and worthy today.
   6. Puzzles – I loooove jigsaw puzzles. Charles Wysocki’s folk art are some of my favorite puzzles. I also often buy from Galison, they do sales all the time! But, crossword puzzles, sudoku, logic puzzles, these are all great ways to distract yourself for a bit. Atlantic Monthly has a great, and free, online crossword. However, the NYT digital crossword access is well worth the money. I enjoy all the puns, misdirects, and facts I learn from googling the tricky clues (yes, you’re allowed to google!!) (Or not! Guess what, you decide how you solve a puzzle!) If you haven’t jumped on the wordle craze, it’s also really fun and free. PLUS I love that you can only do one a day. No ability to get addicted and spend hours playing.
   7. Coloring – Unleash your inner child and get some coloring books. I sell several through Usborne Books & More, my favorites for “grown ups” are these. But a quick browse on Amazon will show you sooo many options. I’m a fan of ones with funny quotes or positive thinking mixed within:
   8. Podcast – Listening to a podcast is a great way to incorporate more self-care or fun into your daily routine. What do you enjoy? Knitting? There’s a podcast for that! Cooking? There’s a podcast for that? True Crime? There are SEVERAL podcasts for that. I like to consume what I’m currently working on – self-acceptance and feeling worthy. My current go-to podcast is Glennon Doyle’s “We Can Do Hard Things” But play around with what makes you feel better to listen to. For a while there, alllll I listened to was Wait, Wait Don’t Tell Me because I needed to be entertained.
   9. Read – Get snuggled under some blankets and drink a yummy beverage and read a book – really, just make reading extra cozy feeling. Check out my Goodreads for book ideas! Or check out my list of top 20 books I read in 2021.
   10. Journal. Ok, maybe you have a knee-jerk to this suggestion like I tend to. I don’t have time to journal!! And self reflection does not come naturally to me. But, people, we are all a mixed up jumbled up mess of emotions right now. No matter what is on your plate as we are stuck at home, you need to process it somehow. Writing out everything that you’re feeling, that you’re worried about, will help. Even if you need to just write it on a piece of paper and then throw it away. I love Glennon Doyle so I got the Untamed Journal to help me out. But maybe a different journal with prompts would help: https://amzn.to/34kSbQK. OR maybe a totally blank one? I find blank ones overwhelming but you do you.

More than anything on the list above: listen to your body – don’t push yourself just because you feel like your should. Self-care is such a buzzword because we AREN’T taking care of ourselves. It’s taking a toll on our bodies and our minds. It shouldn’t be reserved to just one day of the week, we should be incorporating time to ourselves every single day. Maybe your self-care = time alone. Maybe it’s a phone call (or Marco Polo – my new favorite app). What is going to fill your cup? What will make you feel happy and calm right now? What will bring you rest? Please really think about these questions and then seek the happiness out. Self-care is taking care of yourself so that being happy is easier.

Stay healthy out there. Find the happy, if you can. But, more importantly, find the peace and rest.

What’s your go-to method to find self-care at home?