Prioritizing self-care for moms is an essential part of being happy and healthy. When we are happy and healthy, we can live into our full potential as women and as mothers.
As we nurture ourselves, we set a powerful example for our children, our partner, and everyone around us to also value and love themselves so that they, too, can live into their full potential.
When we are prioritizing self-care, and when our own cups are full, we have more to give to everyone we love.
We all know we need to make self-care a priority, but it’s easy to let it slip as we go about our busy lives.
The Power of Paying Attention
One practice I’ve found incredibly helpful is to check in regularly with my self-care practices in 8 essential areas. Doing a regular self-care assessment is really eye-opening.
With awareness comes power.
As I bring my attention to how I’m actually doing in these 8 areas of self-care, I notice and celebrate what’s working, and I can make changes to what’s not working, so I can get the self-care I need to thrive.
Prioritizing Self-Care with the Self-Care Snapshot
I start by quickly going through the list of 8 areas of self-care, and rating them from 1 to 10, with 1 being “need a whole lot more!” and 10 being “awesome!”
As you read through the list, ask yourself the questions and quickly rate your current level in each area from 1 to 10, without judgment.
You’re just noticing. Remember, this has nothing to do with your value as a person. Just notice the level in each area as it is right now in your life.
1. Sleep
Are you getting at least 8 hours of sleep every night?
2. Water
Are you drinking enough water every day?
3. Nourishment
Are you nourishing your body with real, nutritious food, helpful supplements, and a healthful environment (clean air, no harmful chemicals, etc.)?
4. Exercise
Do you move your body most days and get the exercise you need to feel energetic and vibrant in your body?
5. Stillness
Do you find moments of stillness every day? Are you cultivating mindfulness in your everyday life?
6. Stress Reducing Activities
Do you have enough stress reducing habits in your life right now?
7. Connection
Do you connect with yourself and your own feelings every day, such as through journaling, using a planner, and/or heart to heart talks with friends?
8. Community
Are you connecting with your community and enjoying meaningful, supportive relationships with your family, friends, and loved ones?
Next, Reflect and Journal
Now ask yourself these five questions for each area. I recommend you set aside 10 to 15 minutes for this, making notes as you go.
- Are you happy with your current level of self-care?
- Do you want to make any changes in this area?
- How do you want this area to look?
- What has worked in the past?
- Where would you like to get support?
Do you have time to do it right now?
If not, just pick one area to do right now in your mind to see how it works.
Schedule Your Self-Care Review
As I mentioned, regular review of our self-care practice is a powerful way to create and maintain a self-care practice that helps us thrive.
So now it’s time to ask yourself, when will you do your regular review?
You could do it every Sunday, or Monday morning. Or you could do it once a month, at the beginning or end of the month.
Whatever you do, pick a time and write it in your calendar so you won’t forget.
And then do it.
Honor this time to check in with yourself and your own self-care practice. Just bringing your attention and awareness to these 8 essential areas of self-care is a powerful way to enhance and up level your self-care practice.
Prioritizing Self-Care with The Self-Care Workbook
The Self-Care Assessment is the first part of The Self-Care Workbook.
In addition to the Self-Care Assessment, the workbook also has tips and strategies to help you easily create new habits, as well as a ton of ideas for small steps you can take bring your self-care practice to the next level, so you can feel awesome every day.
If you haven’t yet gotten your own free copy of The Self-Care Workbook, you can click this link or fill in the box below.
Over to You
What is your biggest struggle with self-care? Is it…
- A: There’s not enough time!
- B: I forget about it most of the time, and then I have a rude awakening.
- C: I don’t even know where to begin…
- D: It’s just too hard.
- E: Something else…
Let me know, in the comments below! Is it A, B, C, D, or E?
Until next time, take good care of yourself, and let me know how it’s going!
If you found this article helpful, please share it with a mama friend you know would also enjoy it.
And I’d love to connect with you in the Happiness Mama Community!
Love,
Heather