Moms are often told to take care of themselves. It’s easy to get the message that self-care is about pampering and indulging. While those activities do have their place, what about simple, practical ways that moms can keep their sanity and build on their strengths? I’ve put together a list of seven summer self-care ideas for busy moms that can easily fit into your schedule—even if you don’t have a lot of time or money!
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How can I take care of myself during the summer?
EVERY mom has asked this question. The kids are out of school; our schedules become slammed with work, travel, and keeping the kids entertained. The key to surviving the summer months is being intentional in taking care of yourself. Here are a few ideas to get you going,
7 Summer Self-Care Ideas for Busy Moms
#1 Switch Up Your Exercise Routine
You may be tempted to skip this section if you’re not an exercise fanatic. (Trust me, I get it) The truth is, our bodies crave variety and change—and the summer months offer the perfect opportunity to switch things up. I’ve swapped my 20 minutes of cardio/lifting during my morning routine for 20 minutes of deep stretching. This simple change is not only improving my physical mobility, but it has also lifted some of the mental fog I had fallen into when moving my body. This simple change gives me extra time to meditate and has me looking forward to the day again.
#2 Eat fresher foods.
Okay, this is something we should do year-round, but as crazy as it sounds, I look forward to eating lighter during the summer (most of the time). Perhaps the weather at 100 degrees has me reaching for refreshing salads vs. baked potatoes. Either way, this can help you feel more energized and doesn’t hurt that summer body you’ve worked so hard for either. Summer is also an excellent time to increase our water intake as we spend more time outdoors.
#3 Plan a Girls’ Day
Planning a girls’ day out doesn’t have to be expensive. You can find free (or cheap) activities in your area that will allow you to spend quality time with friends, mothers, and daughters alike. Here are some ideas:
- Go for an afternoon of shopping (window-shopping counts!) at a local mall.
- Spend an afternoon at the beach or poolside.
- Stay cool inside with an at-home spa day. Here are a few Amazon sets to help make this time special-
#4 Change Your Skin Care Routine
Switching up your skincare routine is the easiest way to give yourself a little boost of self-care during the summer months. You can change up your daily cleansing routine, or you can try using different products altogether.
For example:
- Switch from a gentle cleanser to a scrub that exfoliates dead skin cells and removes makeup more effectively.
- Swapping non-SPF products for products offering extra sun protection. This is especially important if you’re soaking up some summer sun.
#5 Schedule Time Off
If you’re a busy mom feeling overwhelmed with the summer changes, it can be helpful to schedule time off from work. The problem is that we often see this as something only reserved for the wealthy or entitled—but in reality, everyone deserves some time off! Consider scheduling a vacation or weekend away from your responsibilities and obligations. If that’s not possible, consider taking some time off from social media and television so you can focus on yourself and your family.
#6 Journal Daily
Yes, another habit we should work to do year-round, but summer is a great time to set a short-term goal like journaling for 30 days straight or documenting the summertime with the family. Journaling is a great way to relieve stress and take time out of your busy day for reflection. Journaling can also help us plan by giving us time each night before bed where we spend some quiet moments with ourselves (and our journals). We might decide what needs doing tomorrow, who we want to see later in the week – all essential things for taking on the summer days with peace.
#7 Review Your Goals and Progress
Not your usual self-care item, but it’s important to take a step back and look at what you’ve accomplished so far. Summer is a great time as we are about 3/4 through the year. We can see how far we’ve come and make adjustments to finish the year strong. Ask yourself – Did the goals that you set for yourself so far? If not, why not? It’s vital that you are honest during this time but also graceful. This is not a time to welcome doubt or fear because of what didn’t happen. It’s a time to self-motivate and sit with our goals before our Father.
Self-care doesn’t have to be complicated!
Society has made many think that self-care only comes in the form of luxurious trips and all-day pampering. The thing about self-care is that it can be effortless. Sometimes all it takes is a few minutes and a simple routine change to care for ourselves. While summer is the perfect time for a reset, self-care should be maintained for life.
With a month+ of summer left, let’s commit ourselves to allowing growth and peace to coexist and enjoy every moment. Take care of yourself this summer because you deserve it!
Here’s a FREE CHECKLIST to help you enjoy a summer reset!
How do you take care of yourself during the summer? Comment below!
XOXO, JD