Lately, I have been really busy! Between being a full-time mom, full-time wife and now a full-time blogger, I rarely have time to take care of myself! I have always liked to be busy and to have a full schedule – but lately I have been a little overwhelmed! I had a sweet friend come over the the other day and I was complaining about my lists of things to do and how I was lucky that I even showered before she came over. She looked at me after I rambled for probably five minutes about my life and said, “You need to take some time for YOU!”
Up to that moment, I didn’t really even realize how “busy” I had been. The fast paced environment is my comfort zone and I didn’t even think about taking the time to realize that I wasn’t really taking care of myself.
I KNOW that I am not alone in this situation. How many of you have a family to take care of? Bills to pay? Places to be? Meals to cook? Dishes to be cleaned? Laundry to be folded? Children to play with? A husband to love? – There are only 24 hours in a day. As mothers and wives, we get so wrapped up in cleaning, cooking, helping and showing love to other people – that we forget one of the most important people – ourselves.
After bringing a baby into this world I have learned the importance of taking care of myself. If I don’t get enough sleep – I am the grumpiest person in the world! If I don’t eat right – I start gaining weight. If I don’t get at least 20 minutes to cruise my personal Instagram account – I can barely live! 😉 {just kidding… but really 🙂 } As leaders in the home, we must take care of ourselves. Often times we get wrapped up in the lives of our families, we forget that our own health and our own sanity is important.
Today I want to share 8 Things To Do for YOURSELF! These are a few things that YOU, as a hard working, talented, fun, GOOD mom – deserves! I am not saying our families aren’t important – trust me, they are our priorities. But I do know that in order to be the best mom possible for them, we need to be our best selves. Even our super selves!
1. HAVE CONFIDENCE: Know that you are doing a good job! Have confidence in yourself. Have confidence in your work. Have confidence in your parenting. Have confidence in your family. There is no greater role than to be a mother. Cherish and know that you hold the future in your hands. These precious babies and children grow fast. Know that you are doing a good job with them and they love you!
2. GET OUT: It is so important to get out of the house and get some fresh air! I like to leave the house on a daily basis. Whether we just go outside and sit in the sun for a minute or go shopping at the mall – I know the importance of getting out of the house. If you have a husband or friend that can watch the kids, go out to dinner with a friend or do my favorite thing, which is walking around Target all by myself. {Note: could be dangerous for your bank account!} Get out and do something for YOU!
3. TAKE SOME TIME TO RELAX: I always say that baths heal EVERYTHING! If I am sad or if I don’t feel very well – my husband knows where to find me. Take a warm bath and soak it in. Relax! Through the hustle and bustle of each day as a mom, it is important to take a load off at the end of the day. Your body needs it and so does your mind!
4. EAT YOUR FAVORITE TREATS: I am all about being healthy, but I am BIG believer in food. In YUMMY, not-that-good-for-you FOOD. I am addicted to oreos and milk or anything chocolate really. Grab a treat and spoil yourself! You COMPLETELY deserve it after changing dirty diapers and handling upset children all day.
5. BE ACTIVE: I find when I have a work-out routine, I feel better about myself. I feel skinnier and healthier! It doesn’t have to be a TON – you can just go for a walk or turn on a work-out video during nap time. Move around and get active. The rush you will receive from getting physical, will help you feel good!
6. DRESS TO IMPRESS: I always thought once I became a mom, I would never have to get ready and I would just live in yoga pants. Well – lets be serious – I do 90% of the time. 🙂 BUT – I also love that even when you become a mom, you are still YOU! You are still a lady, a friend, a wife, a woman – which means, you can still have your own style. I love getting ready and putting on my make-up and doing my hair {sometimes that only happens like once a week!}. Look your best and love what you wear! Love your style! How you feel in what you are wearing, really does change your attitude and how you feel about yourself each day.
7. DO SOMETHING YOU LOVE: I am pretty social, so when I get to have a Girls Night Out – it gives me the rejuvenation that I need to be a better mom the next day and week! I know the importance of getting away and doing something you will enjoy. If you like to visit with friends – you should still visit with friends! If you like to read – you should read a book! If you like to go to the gym – you should make time to go to the gym! Make time for YOU.
8. LOVE YOURSELF: Lastly, a way to take care of yourself, is to LOVE yourself. Often times we fault-find as we go through each day. We get frustrated about losing our temper or get upset that we didn’t accomplish ANYTHING on our to-do lists. But as we love ourselves and look for the positive attributes that we bring into our families, we will be happier. Love what you do. Love who you are!
You are the mom of the house! What a huge responsibility you hold! Your children look up to you – whether they are one week old or moved out and have children of their own. I know the importance of taking care of YOU! If we don’t take care of ourselves – then we definitely can’t take care of these children that need us, want us and love us.
Don’t forget to share this with the moms you love, that deserve a little break! –
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Danielle is the owner of Today's the Best Day. She strives to provide creative and uplifting content in order to enrich the parenting experience for women everywhere. Danielle hopes to help you and your family to make every day the best day! 
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Ali
June 20, 2017 at 1:02 am (8 years ago)This article is essential! Women need to be reminded of this constantly. It really is the key to survival and preventing the loss of self. It fits in perfectly with the movie series I’m producing called Pixie Perfect. Women tend to strive so hard for perfection and the well being and benefit of others, that they can literally destroy their own happiness. Doing the things on your list can be so helpful. It really is a prescription. Thanks for sharing this.
Kristina
August 7, 2014 at 6:06 am (10 years ago)You are the cutest! I’m so glad I found your blog. Pinned!
Vidya Sudarsan
May 31, 2014 at 2:50 am (11 years ago)I love this article. All of us, most times, don’t take care of ourselves. This is a good remainder 🙂
Annette Belnap
May 29, 2014 at 6:47 pm (11 years ago)I need more confidence for sure! Thanks for these great ideas!
Danielle Davis
May 29, 2014 at 9:15 pm (11 years ago)Annette, thanks so much for your comment!
Eileen
May 29, 2014 at 11:44 am (11 years ago)My parents always told me to “love myself.” They have seen me through the most difficult times when I was raising my children. My kids are all grown now, and I eagerly await the time they will be done with college so I can retire and live my life. Thank you for sharing!
Danielle Davis
May 29, 2014 at 9:16 pm (11 years ago)Eileen, it sounds like your parents were smart cookies!
Courtney
May 28, 2014 at 1:30 pm (11 years ago)What great tips my dear! I think we all need a reminder of these while were going through motherhood.
Danielle Davis
May 28, 2014 at 5:56 pm (11 years ago)Thank you Courtney! So many women I think benefit from these tips and I hope in your life it will help you too!
Becky
May 28, 2014 at 1:27 pm (11 years ago)Oh girl, this is so true. I am just not a good mommy if I neglect myself. Thank you for this reminder!
Danielle Davis
May 28, 2014 at 5:57 pm (11 years ago)Hi Becky! It is so important to take care of yourself but I am sure you are a great mom no matter what! Thanks for stopping by!
Fabulous Perks
May 28, 2014 at 12:58 pm (11 years ago)Lol, I had no idea being a mother to one child was so much work. I hardly have time for myself theses days. Love this post!
Danielle Davis
May 28, 2014 at 5:58 pm (11 years ago)Thanks so much! It is amazing how much time and effort it takes to not just keep them alive but to be a truly great mom. I hope these tips will help you find a minute or two for yourself! Thanks for commenting!
Bella Vida Letty
May 28, 2014 at 12:20 pm (11 years ago)Thank you for this great reminder. I am so bad at this. I’m always looking out for everyone and forgetting about myself.
Danielle Davis
May 28, 2014 at 6:00 pm (11 years ago)Go the extra mile and find something for you every day! It helps me so much to find just one or two minutes to refresh and take some me time. Thanks for stopping by today!
Jessica
May 28, 2014 at 12:12 pm (11 years ago)Great ideas. It is so important to take care of yourself, It’s more difficult to take care of others without taking care of yourself too.
Danielle Davis
May 28, 2014 at 6:01 pm (11 years ago)Jessica that is so true! How can I be expected to take care of someone else if I can’t take care of myself first. Thanks for being amazing and commenting today!
April Hammond
May 28, 2014 at 11:02 am (11 years ago)Great tips! I sometimes forget to take of myself the way I should because I get so busy and I am not even a mom yet.
Danielle Davis
May 28, 2014 at 6:02 pm (11 years ago)April, I know right?! Life is so crazy sometimes. It’s so important to take care of you! Thanks for commenting and I hope you will be able to find a few minutes today to take some me time.
Danielle
May 28, 2014 at 9:42 am (11 years ago)I think that I did a little to much of the eating your favorite treats. I ate my treats and my kids treats now I am working to shave all those treats off my body 🙂 Great tips.
Danielle Davis
May 28, 2014 at 6:02 pm (11 years ago)Danielle haha, that’s so funny lol. Thanks for commenting.
katherine
May 28, 2014 at 9:07 am (11 years ago)I need to find time to relax!
Danielle Davis
May 28, 2014 at 6:05 pm (11 years ago)Yes you do! Thanks for commenting!
Angel
May 28, 2014 at 6:43 am (11 years ago)Awesome post, I love these tips! I just started a 30 challenge and one of the things I committed to was giving up chocolate 🙁 I’m going to miss it lol And I always LOVE your pants in your pics!!
Danielle Davis
May 28, 2014 at 6:05 pm (11 years ago)Angel thanks so much and good luck on your chocolate challenge. I know I would definitely have a hard time with that.
Michelle F.
May 28, 2014 at 5:51 am (11 years ago)Those are some great tips. I have learned to do some of those.
Danielle Davis
May 28, 2014 at 6:06 pm (11 years ago)Michelle, that’s great! Keep up the good work!
Tesha
May 28, 2014 at 2:46 am (11 years ago)The tips are very helpful. I loved the one about dress to impress. When you are busy it is difficult to get into dressing up, but I feel so much better when I do. Thanks for posting.
Danielle Davis
May 28, 2014 at 6:24 pm (11 years ago)Tesha, I am right there with you. Getting dressed up for the day is one of the hardest to do. I love getting ready and just feeling prepared to tackle each day! Thank you for commenting!
Lenze
May 28, 2014 at 2:09 am (11 years ago)Love your blog! Great post. As new moms, we can forget how to do these things and get lost in becoming a mom. Thanks again for this post!
Danielle Davis
May 28, 2014 at 6:23 pm (11 years ago)Lenze, thank you for your comment! I hope that these tips can help just one mom out there have a better day! It’s so important to do these things and as I have tried to keep up on them I have been much happier and more productive. Thanks for stopping by! Come back soon!
Touristmeetstraveler
May 28, 2014 at 1:32 am (11 years ago)Great reminders of how we should be taking care of ourselves, it can sometimes be forgotten when you have a child.
Danielle Davis
May 28, 2014 at 6:22 pm (11 years ago)Thanks for your comment. I hope these tips can help you with your children.
Maggie C
May 28, 2014 at 1:12 am (11 years ago)You’re right about the treats. If you deny yourself, you’ll go crazy and binge. But if you treat yourself occasionally, you’ll feel satisfied and not deprived.
Danielle Davis
May 28, 2014 at 6:22 pm (11 years ago)Thanks so much for your comment. It’s so true that snack can curb your appetite and help you avoid the fridge for late night snacks.
Rebekah {McMama}
May 28, 2014 at 12:51 am (11 years ago)Yes! My husband and I have talked about making sure I have some “me” time each week to just do something that fills me up, guilt-free. If we’re completely drained, we won’t have anything left to pour into our families.
Danielle Davis
May 28, 2014 at 6:21 pm (11 years ago)Rebekah you are spot on! I love your analogy of not having enough to pour into our families. Thanks for your comment!
Ariana Lau
May 28, 2014 at 12:12 am (11 years ago)I totally have to agree with number 2 and 6. I’m a stay at home mom, also and even though I don’t get to go out and do too many things, it’s nice to dress up and feel good about yourself. Even if you are just going for a small walk, you have to remember to go out and enjoy yourself.
Otherwise you will start to feel cooped up in your house and that can be stressful.
Danielle Davis
May 28, 2014 at 6:10 pm (11 years ago)Ariana, I totally know what you mean. Sometimes I get cabin fever and I just have to go get the mail alone just to feel free for a few seconds. Those few seconds are so amazing though lol. Thanks for commenting!
Amberly
May 27, 2014 at 11:57 pm (11 years ago)Yes to #4!!! hahaha, I’m such a firm believer in that. I need to remember to do one thing for myself every day. I always feel like blogging is my “thing” and even though I really love it, being committed to that is stressful sometimes. I just need to step back and take some time.
Danielle Davis
May 28, 2014 at 6:09 pm (11 years ago)Amberly, that’s so true! It’s hard sometimes to get away from the blog for a while and keep myself as a priority. I know we can do it though! Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting.
Jess Benoit
May 27, 2014 at 10:49 pm (11 years ago)Oh I know all about this! I am also a full-time mama, wife, homeschooler, & blogger! I went to the hospital 2x in the past 5 years for stress. My m-i-l used to always tell me that in order to take care of your family you have to take care of yourself.
Danielle Davis
May 28, 2014 at 6:08 pm (11 years ago)Wow, I know that stress can definitely affect your life and it looks like it has for you in some dangerous ways. I love what your m-i-l said. It’s so important to take me time for yourself. I hope that you can and can get stress out of your life for good. Thanks so much for commenting!
Stephanie
May 27, 2014 at 10:47 pm (11 years ago)This is such a great post! I’m always forgetting that I need some “ME” Love. Reminds me, I have a free massage gift card from like two months ago that I need to take time and do!!
Danielle Davis
May 28, 2014 at 6:07 pm (11 years ago)Stephanie, you have a free massage gift card and you haven’t used it yet?! You need to ASAP! 🙂 I’m jealous