Self-Care Tips for Busy Working Moms: Simple Ways to Recharge and Prevent Burnout
- hannahkdurand
- Jun 1
- 8 min read
Updated: Jun 8
Let’s be real being a working mom is one of the hardest jobs out there. We’re juggling meetings, deadlines, pickups, and snack duty all in the same hour. Our brains are constantly switching between roles, checking calendars, remembering appointments, and running through to-do lists that never seem to end.
With so much on our plates, where does that leave time for us?
Self-care often becomes the thing we’ll “get to if there’s time,” which usually means… we don’t. We push our own needs to the bottom of the list and hope we can circle back later but later rarely comes.
That’s why I wrote this post.
I want to share simple, realistic self-care strategies that actually fit into your day. No fluff. No hour-long routines. Just small shifts that can help you reconnect with yourself in the middle of the chaos.
Even if you only try one thing that’s something. And maybe, just maybe, it helps you feel a little more grounded today.
What Self-Care Really Means for Working Moms
When most people hear the term self-care, they picture bubble baths, pedicures, or maybe a weekend away. And while those things are lovely, they’re not the full picture. In fact, if you’re a busy working mom, those versions of self-care might feel totally out of reach or like one more thing on your to-do list.
But here’s the truth: Self-care is not about luxury. It’s about maintenance.
It’s the basics the kind that keep you grounded, steady, and emotionally regulated. It’s saying “no” without overexplaining. It’s drinking a glass of water before your second coffee. It’s giving yourself permission to rest without guilt. It’s stepping outside for a breath of fresh air, even if you never make it around the block.
Self-care is emotional, mental, and physical hygiene. It’s checking in with yourself the same way you’d check on your child when they’re having a tough day. It’s less about escape and more about sustainable nourishment.
And the best part? It doesn’t have to be big to be powerful.
The small, consistent things a 10-minute stretch, a kind word to yourself, a pause before diving into your inbox, those are the moments that add up. Those are the rituals that remind you: I matter too.
So if the idea of self-care has ever felt indulgent or impossible, this is your reminder: You don’t need a spa day. You need space to breathe. And you deserve that every single day.
12 Quick Self-Care Tips for Busy Working Moms
🧠 Mental Self-Care Ideas for Busy Moms
Mental self-care is about clearing space in your mind so you can focus, think clearly, and feel less overwhelmed. These simple practices can help ground your thoughts and reduce daily mental fatigue.
Do a 5-minute journal or brain dump Start the day by writing down what’s on your mind — no filter, just release.
Listen to a short podcast during your commute Choose something inspiring, funny, or calming to shift your mindset.
Practice positive self-talk or affirmations A few kind words to yourself in the mirror can be more powerful than you think.
💪 Physical Self-Care Practices That Actually Fit Your Day
You don’t need a gym session to care for your body. These quick and realistic physical self-care habits help re-energize you and support your health.
Stretch while your coffee brews Gentle morning movement is a perfect way to start the day.
Drink a glass of water before caffeine Hydrating first supports your energy and mental clarity.
Take a 10-minute walk or do a quick yoga flow Even short bursts of movement help reduce stress and boost your mood.
💗 Emotional Self-Care for Working Moms
Emotional self-care is all about feeling what you need to feel without judgment. These practices help you feel more connected and supported.
Text or call another mom who gets it A simple “this is hard today” text can go a long way.
Give yourself permission to feel everything You’re allowed to feel overwhelmed, sad, joyful, or anything in between.
Say no to something that’s not essential Protect your energy. Your peace matters more than people-pleasing.
🌿 Environmental Self-Care Tips to Create Calm at Home or Work
The spaces we spend time in impact how we feel. These environmental self-care tips help create calm and comfort in your surroundings.
Tidy one space you use daily Clear the clutter from your desk, nightstand, or kitchen counter.
Light a candle or diffuse essential oils Scent can have a powerful effect on mood and focus.
Create a “pause corner” just for you A quiet space with a cozy chair, book, or blanket a little retreat, even for 5 minutes.
Self-care doesn’t need to be complicated. The goal is consistency, not perfection. Even one small act of care for your mind, body, emotions, or environment can help you feel more grounded, focused, and supported in your day.
Time-Saving Tools That Support Self-Care
🧘♀️ Meditation & Mindfulness Apps for Moms
Taking a few quiet moments each day can do wonders for your emotional health.
Calm A beautifully designed app with guided meditations, breathing exercises, and sleep stories to help reduce stress and anxiety.
Insight Timer Free and highly customizable, this app includes thousands of meditations, music, and short talks to fit your schedule and mood.
✨ Why they help: Regular mindfulness can improve sleep, reduce anxiety, and help you feel more grounded even in chaotic seasons of life.
🛒 Grocery Delivery & Meal Planning Apps
Simplify your to-do list with these time-saving services.
Instacart, Amazon Fresh, Target Drive Up, HungryRoot Order your groceries online and have them delivered or ready for quick pickup, no lines, no stress.
HelloFresh, EveryPlate Meal kits with pre-portioned ingredients and easy recipes. A great way to eliminate meal-planning fatigue and make dinner more manageable.
✨ Why they help: Outsourcing errands frees up time for rest or connection and takes one big decision off your plate.
📆 Family Calendar & Organization Apps
Stay on top of schedules and avoid last-minute chaos.
Cozi A free family organizer app that keeps calendars, grocery lists, and reminders in one shared place.
Google Calendar Create shared calendars with your partner, block off time for yourself, and set reminders for everything from appointments to self-care.
✨ Why they help: You don’t need to carry everyone’s schedule in your head. These tools help lighten your mental load and improve communication.
🌿 How These Apps Support Real Self-Care
Self-care isn’t always about spa days or bubble baths. Sometimes it’s simply about using tools that reduce decision fatigue and make life feel more manageable.
By automating tasks, delegating responsibilities, and simplifying your daily flow, these tools help create more time and energy for you and that’s what true self-care is all about.
How to Prioritize Self-Care Without Guilt
One of the biggest barriers to self-care for moms isn’t time — it’s guilt.
Many of us carry an invisible weight that says we need to give everything to everyone else before we can tend to ourselves. Whether it’s skipping lunch, delaying rest, or saying yes when we’re already stretched thin, we put ourselves last because we believe that’s what a “good mom” does.
But here’s the truth: Prioritizing yourself doesn’t make you selfish. It makes you sustainable.
You cannot pour from an empty cup and your family doesn’t need a version of you who is burned out, resentful, or running on fumes. They need you, healthy, whole, and present. And for that, you matter, too.
Think of boundaries not as walls, but as protective guidelines for your time, energy, and mental space. They aren’t meant to push people away they help keep you grounded so you can show up in a way that feels aligned, not depleted.
Saying no to one more commitment is saying yes to your peace.
Turning off notifications in the evening is honoring your need to rest.
Carving out 15 quiet minutes in your day is a reminder: your needs are valid.
And when you model that kind of care for yourself? Your children learn to do the same.
You are not just a mom. You’re a whole person. Your needs matter. Your health matters. Your joy matters. And taking care of yourself isn’t optional — it’s essential.
My Simple Working Mom Self-Care Routine (Optional Personal Story)
As a working mom, “me time” can feel like a luxury. Some days, even 30 minutes feels impossible. But over time, I’ve learned that small, intentional moments — micro-routines — can be powerful reset buttons in the middle of chaos.
These aren’t big, time-consuming rituals. They’re simple things I do to take a breath, reconnect, and feel a little more like myself:
A full-body stretch while my coffee brews. It takes less than 30 seconds but reminds me I have a body that needs care, not just caffeine.
Tea after morning drop-off. Once my youngest is with my mom and my oldest is at preschool, I pause with a warm mug. No emails. No multitasking. Just a few quiet sips to mark the transition into work mode.
Two minutes of silence before I open my inbox. I literally close my eyes, breathe, and remind myself: “I don’t have to rush into the noise. I get to begin on my terms.”
These tiny rituals may seem small but they add up. They help me feel more present and less like I’m constantly racing through the day. It doesn’t have to be big. It just has to be yours.
A sticky note with an affirmation on your mirror.
A 5-minute walk before lunch.
Putting your phone down during dinner.
Playing your favorite playlist while folding laundry.
These moments of care aren’t selfish they’re sustaining. They’re how we remind ourselves, “I matter, too,” without needing an entire free afternoon to prove it.
You deserve small joys. You deserve space. You deserve to show up for yourself even in the tiniest of ways.
Final Encouragement
There’s a lot of pressure out there to make self-care look a certain way calm, curated, and Instagram-worthy. But here’s the truth: Self-care doesn’t have to be pretty. It doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be real.
It’s sitting in your car for five quiet minutes before walking into the house. It’s choosing water instead of soda because your body asked for it. It’s saying “not today” to something that drains you.
These small choices aren’t insignificant they’re signs that you’re listening to yourself. They’re tiny moments of protection and preservation in a world that constantly asks you to give.
Taking care of yourself in small, consistent ways is how resilience is built. It’s not one big overhaul or a once-a-year wellness retreat, it’s everyday moments where you choose yourself, again and again.
One deep breath before reacting.
One pause before overscheduling.
One kind thought about your body or your effort.
These moments may seem minor, but they stack up. They help rewire the way you treat yourself and how you show up for others.
If today feels heavy, don’t try to fix everything. Just try one thing:
Stretch your arms overhead and breathe deeply.
Light a candle while making dinner.
Text someone who makes you feel seen.
You don’t need a full plan, just a small step. That’s where real self-care begins.
Self-care looks different for everyone — and your version is just as valid as anyone else's. Grab my free “15-Minute Self-Care Reset for Working Moms” it’s a printable guide with realistic ideas to help you care for yourself in even the busiest seasons.
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