New Moms Practice Self-Care at Home
Taking care of yourself as a first-time mom has never been more important!
Picture this to know the importance of New Moms Self-Care at home: you’ve been wearing the same pair of sweatpants for the last eight days. Your hair has officially reached a bird’s-nest level of tangled.
There’s a mystery stain on your shirt that you can’t get rid of. And you can’t even remember the last time you did something that didn’t involve diapers.
Amidst the chaos, remember to carve out time for yourself. Whether it’s indulging in your favorite hobby, like journaling or taking an evening walk, prioritizing self-care is essential for your well-being.
New moms will know the feeling very well.
For some, the idea of practicing self-care for moms is almost laugh-worthy. How are you supposed to make time for luscious bubble baths, mani-pedis, and chilled champagne when there’s a tiny human demanding your attention?
Impossible, right?! Not necessarily
Self-care for moms is absolutely possible and it doesn’t need to involve all of the fancy, unattainable, or time-consuming activities that most people associate with the idea.
There are plenty of easy self-care ideas out there for new moms who need a minute (or five) to unwind.
So if you’re a first-time mom looking for mom tips and self-care activities to practice at home, you’re in the right place.
Self-care isn’t selfish
Let’s get one thing out of the way: don’t let anybody tell you that wanting –– and needing –– time for yourself, away from your newborn, makes you selfish. And it especially doesn’t make you a “bad mom.”
On the contrary, practicing self-care for moms is one of the best things you can do for you and your baby’s health.
Because what happens when you’re running on empty and refusing to take a break? Mom burnout.
Which can then cause you to get sick more often, feel emotionally exhausted, and start resenting those around you — all of which can affect your baby’s emotional and physical well-being, too.
And while fuzzy robes and massages might not be at the top of your priorities as a first-time mom, it’s definitely important to carve out little pockets of joy where and whenever you can.
My favorite self-care activities for new moms
Becoming a mom is, without a doubt, a truly magical and blissful experience. However, this doesn’t mean that it can’t also be tiring, as well as physically and emotionally demanding.
That’s why our advice for new parents is always to take care of yourselves if you want to take care of your child. Even if it’s just for a few minutes a day, practicing self-care for moms can make the difference between a great day and a meltdown.
The truth about practicing self-care for moms
As new moms, it can be easy to lose sight of taking care of yourself when you know that your newborn needs you.
That’s why our advice for new parents and first-time moms is one you’ve probably heard before: put on your oxygen mask first before helping others.
The idea behind practicing self-care for moms is to slowly start making room for all of the other things in life that make you happy outside of motherhood and are beneficial to your well-being.
Here are a few ideas for self-care that you can practice at home!
1. Ask for help
One of the best things you can do as a first-time mom to help lighten the weight of taking care of a newborn is to ask the people around you for help.
After all, caregivers also need to be taken care of and this is nothing to be embarrassed about. If you’re feeling a little too tired, irritable, or overwhelmed, reach out to your loved ones and ask them if they’re free to help out. More often than not, the answer’s yes.
Whether they go on a grocery run, put in that load of laundry that’s been sitting in the hamper for weeks, or babysit for an hour, asking for and accepting their help is one of the most effective ways to relieve stress and avoid mom burnout.
2. Practice gratitude
It’s easy to miss all of the wonderful things about becoming a mom when you’re constantly ticking things off your to-do list. That’s why one of our favorite ways to practice self-care for moms is to make note of all the things you’re grateful for.
A lot has been said about the health benefits of meditation and journaling. From stress relief to helping with insomnia and depression, they’re a great way to reconnect with yourself and be more aware of the good things happening around you every day.
If you’re looking for a good, beginner-friendly place to start, check out Sonima’s guided meditations for parents on their Youtube channel.
3. Enjoy a quick pampering session
As a first-time mom, it’s possible that you can’t really remember the last time you showered — let alone the last time you did your hair, put on makeup, or wore perfume.
That’s why another one of our favorite mom tips for practicing self-care is to treat yourself to a much-needed short and sweet pampering session.
Soaking your feet, putting on a sheet mask, using a body scrub in the shower… all of these are easy self-care ideas that won’t take more than a few minutes out of your day, but will still help you feel like the “old” version of yourself.
4. Soak up some sun is essential for New Moms Self-Care
Spending time outside is one of the best things you can do to boost your physical and mental health. And the best part is, you don’t have to go too far to do so!
Another one of our favorite ideas for self-care is to spend some time in the sunshine. Sitting in the sun is known to help increase serotonin levels, as well as Vitamin D intake, both of which help brighten your mood. Just watch the stress begin to melt away as your skin gets warmer.
Plus, going outside can also bring you a sense of peace away from the four walls you’ve gotten to know so well since the baby was born.
Because carving some time for yourself, and taking care of your needs outside of being a first-time mom, does not make you selfish; if anything, it makes you a better mom in the long run. And if you need more, you may find advice on self-care here.
