I know I’m not alone in this struggle. Many parents worldwide find themselves in similar situations. While we wholeheartedly put our families first, it’s important to acknowledge that we, as parents, also need some TLC from time to time.

Regardless of your perspective on self-care, the act of dedicating time to something that brings you joy and relaxation is a powerful physical and mental boost. In a life that often feels like a non-stop race, even a brief pause for self-care can be incredibly beneficial in multiple ways.

And before we get into it, going to the supermarket alone or drinking a hot cup of coffee (or tea, in my case) while nice shouldn’t be the only type of self-care you give yourself.

I’m going to run through some of my favourite ways to indulge in self-care, even if I am guilty of not doing it as much as I should.

Binge Watch

Mr H and I often indulge in a Netflix or any other streaming channel binge-watching session. Whether we’re watching with the boys or alone once they’re in bed, it’s a wonderful way to disconnect from our devices, take a break from work, and spend quality time together. Some of my current binge-worthy shows include The Boys on Amazon Prime and, of course, my all-time favourite, Grey’s Anatomy and Station 19, which has sadly just finished.

Games

Playing games as a family has always been a big part of our lives. We love the fun and relaxation it brings, and while it’s not always a solo activity away from the family, it’s a great way for me to unwind and have some carefree fun.

If board games aren’t your thing, then logging onto your gaming console or playing mobile games can be just as relaxing and provide you with the same opportunity to take some time out from your life and lose track of time playing a game that offers you another outlet or even a form of relaxation, depending on the game; family board games don’t offer this, and things can get really competitive.

Reading

Reading a book is a delightful way to relax and recharge. The escapism reading offers is unparalleled, and I love nothing more than getting lost in a great book, whether it’s a thrilling adventure or a relaxing read by the pool on holiday.

My current favourite reads currently are “One Day with You” by Shari Low and “Truth Truth Lie” by Claire McGowan, and I have a TBR pile that I am looking forward to finishing this year, including “The Keeper of Stories” by Sally Page and the third book in the Housemaid series my Frieda McFadden – “The Housemaid is Watching”.

Couples Time

It can be really easy to overlook spending time together as a couple while you grapple with the demands of a busy lifestyle and parenting. Mr H and I both work from home and while it might appear that we spend a lot of time together, we don’t always spend time together doing things that aren’t work—or parent-related.

We like to try and carve out time together to help reconnect and enjoy each other’s company without being WFH colleagues essentially or mum and dad. From going out for meals to playing couples card games from LH Boutique or just watching that movie we’ve wanted to catch up on for months, being able to make that time and commit to being together is not only a great way to support our relationship but me is a great way to indulge in self-care too for both of us as we get to do something that is just for us.

Get Outdoors

As a family, we enjoy being out and about and participating in different activities. Theme parks are a favourite hobby of ours, as is bike riding and heading out to explore new areas. We don’t always get to do it as much as we want it to, but it’s always a great way for me to connect with the boys and Mr H and take a timeout from the mundaneness of life.

When we are on holiday, we love exploring our destination, and our time away is largely spent finding new and fun things to do or visiting parks or water parks and getting the most from our time away. Back home, we have been known to head to amazing parts of the country for various reasons; we have visited Zip World in Wales, amongst other beauty spots (link posts you have here if you want). I just find it really rewarding and therapeutic to be outdoors or explore new places.

There we go, some of the way I like to indulge in self-care as a mum. Remember, self-care looks different for everyone, and what works for me might not be anything you feel will be rewarding or relaxing for you. Self-care needs to be beneficial to you, and it might be that soaking in the bath, an afternoon out with friends, a trip to the hair or nail salon or even a spa weekend is preferable to you. Whatever it is, find the thing you enjoy that helps you refill your cup and make time for it.

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5 ways for a busy mum to add more self care 4 unique ways to show your mum you care during Mother’s Day Self-care tips for busy mums The importance of self-care for your mental health