Easiest Homeschool Mom Self-Care

Hi there Busy Mom!  Why is it that we are so good at taking care of everybody else, but then totally biff when it comes to taking care of ourselves?  Let me give you a quick and dirty list of the easiest ways for busy homeschool mom self-care to happen.

I am resisting the urge to give you a whole lecture about why self-care matters, and how it’s actually preparing you, not pampering you… but you can head over to this blog post and get a taste of that.  Then, I’ll lecture more about homeschool mom self-care some other day ;).

Today, let’s make it happen!

Someone once said to “trip over your goals,” and it has made all the difference in my success.  The basic idea is to set yourself up so that achieving your goals is as close to automatic as possible.  Make the steps easy – virtually effortless and something you look forward to – and watch the small steps add up to success.

psssst… I talk about this idea of activation energy – the energy required for a reaction to occur – over in this other post about why your house is still a mess, too.

When it comes to busy homeschool mom self-care, I think the same approach is a must: make it so easy and/or enjoyable to take care of yourself that there is virtually no resistance or excuse not to do it.

Basically, if something isn’t getting done, figure out a version that is smaller, easier, more enjoyable, and/or automatically built-in to your day.  Including your own self-care.

This post is my way of elaborating on “Take an Intentional Break,” the 23rd Minimalist Homeschool Mindset Hack in the book, Minimalist Homeschooling.

>You can check out the other blog posts in the Minimalist Homeschooling Mindset Series.

Your job today is to get specific about the kinds of breaks that you most like and need BEFORE it is time to actually take a break.  That way, you can make the most of your free time!

It’s not just enough to escape and ignore for a few minutes each day – you need to refresh and nurture!  So, you won’t see facebook-surfing or binge-watching on these lists.  I do believe that there is a place in the day for mindless relaxation, but ONLY after your mind, body, heart, and soul are feeling nurtured and refreshed.  Make sense?

Here are a few easy ways to accomplish a little homeschool mom self-care:

Exercise

If going to the gym is too daunting because of childcare, timing, and/or sheer effort, then make your exercise goal so easy that you have to make an effort to avoid it.  Or, make it an enjoyable part of your day, so you actually look forward to it!

Many of these are great for kids, too.  So really, there is no reason you can’t fit a little exercise into your homeschool mom self-care routine daily.  It will benefit everyone!

• Walk
• Use a 7-minute app
• Be a kid – Play with your kids hard-core for 5, 10, or 15 minutes
• Hire an at-home trainer who will come to you, and give you accountability
• Sign-Up for an online exercise program
• Take a bike ride
• Jump on a rebounder
• Balance on a balance board
• Do living room yoga
• Stretch
• Do some burpees

Nutrition

A good, complete, healthy meal is just not an option sometimes… ok… most of the time as a busy mom.  Instead of fighting the inevitable, and powering through in a hangry (hungry + angry) state, use one of these ideas to ensure that you’re well-fueled for the day.   The key is to make sure that you always have a couple options available – whether that be in your pantry, car, purse, or gym bag – and never leave home without them!

• Water!  Get a bottle that makes water a no-brainer.
• Bars
• Fruit
• Shakes (these are our family’s favorites!)
• Supplements
• Bulk cook and prepare food
• Chocolate (get the good stuff!)
• Tea
  • Red Clover is a great tea for moms, just check the warnings.
  • Otherwise, dandelion or nettle teas are great detoxifiers and nourishers, though their taste takes some getting used to.
• A pre-ordered cooking kit or personal cook.  You’d be surprised how many people on Craigslist are willing to take your list and recipes, go to the grocery store, and prep your food for you each week.  This is not just an option for the wealthy.  If you can afford a babysitter once a week, you can probably afford some kitchen help.  In fact, I had a teenage babysitter who knew how to cook do this for me.  If healthy eating is a constant stumbling-block for you and your family, consider getting some help.

Spirit

Busy moms need a great big heaping helping of nourishment for their bodies and soul.  No other job is more draining both physically and emotionally than parenting.  (Luckily, it is also very fulfilling and rewarding.)  Unfortunately, time to unwind or seek nurturing for ourselves is as elusive as missing socks, and if we’re not careful, it never happens.  Use one (or two, or three, or all) of these tricks to make sure your heart is full and at peace.

 

• Add a luxurious scrub to your daily shower
• Journal
• Read a great book or blog
• Listen to a podcast
• Pray (even during a chore)
• Play uplifting music
• Leave the house by yourself
• Use a sun lamp during dreary weather
• Get outside
• Create your own personal oasis in your home
• Meditate
• Massage your feet in the shower
• Massage your own neck
• Apply a warm, wet washcloth with a couple drops of your favorite essential oils to your forehead or neck.  Try calming, or rejuvenating blends.
• Get a devotional, or read about Saints
• Add fresh plants or fresh flowers to your space
• Declutter
• Add one thing you’ve “been meaning to do” to your calendar each week
• Get a hug
• Call a friend
• Write a letter or thank you card
• Craft, color, or get creative
• Bake a treat, or cook a “fancy” dinner
• Wear a great outfit, and do your hair and make-up “just because”
• Snuggle
• Two words: great. socks.
• Drink something warm in cold weather, or something cold in warm weather
• Go on a date – even if it’s at home!  We love watching stand-up comedy together.

Sleep

Nothing is more important to good health than sleep, yet too many moms sacrifice their sleep for their family obligations.  Stop it.

Accept that the thing keeping you awake is not likely more important than being at your best for the entire next day!  Go to sleep when you can, and try getting those little things done in the morning.

• Keep electronics out of the bedroom
• Choose bedtime reading carefully
• Have a short bedtime ritual
• Try chamomile or peppermint tea before bed
• Lay down for a few minutes during the day to rest
• Nap when you can
• Get comfy pajamas
• Upgrade your bed linens (I really love these sheets.  Is that TMI?)
• Journal your to-do list and anxieties before turning in
• Enjoy some calm conversation in dim lighting before bed

Address Your Health Concerns

While it may be “normal” for moms to walk around exhausted, it is not “healthy.”  That is, it is not a sign of good health.  Take your health seriously, and find a practitioner who will listen to how you really feel.

Adrenal fatigue is real, as well as thyroid disorders, depression, anxiety, hormonal imbalances, and nutrient deficiencies.  Ask around, so that you can find someone who will investigate what is plaguing you.  I have seen my share of practitioners who just poo-poo my complaints, and that is always such a defeating experience.  But, I also know that when you find someone who gets it, relief may be possible.

In short, don’t ignore chronic fatigue, aches, pains, digestive complaints, or any other number of common complaints.  These can make you irritable, exhausted, and basically, less able to be the mom you’d like to be.  Put in the effort to find a professional who can help you navigate improvement.  Don’t just suffer and push through.

What are the easiest ways you have found to promote homeschool mom self-care?  Share below!

If you’re looking for a way to simplify your homeschool from top to bottom, and from now on, I’d like to help!  I have a book, an audiobook, and a course to teach busy and overwhelmed homeschoolers how to make homeschooling sane again ;).

Wishing you all the simple things,
Zara

I always recommend things I love regardless of whether it is an affiliate link.  So, when you click on a link in this post, I may (or may not) receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.  This is one way I offset the time and cost associated with offering content.  Thanks for your support!  Here is my Privacy Policy.