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Self-care is self-preservation. Again, for the cheap seats in the back, self-care is self-preservation.  (Tough-love warning) Self-care is not selfish. Self-care is literally taking care of yourself. And since you are a grown woman who is raising children, an adult, no one else is going to take care of you. You are the one who should be taking care of yourself. Now, that we have that out-of-the-way here are 5 self-care tips for burnt out moms to help ensure that you’re able to actually care of yourself and beat burnout.

Self-Care Tips For Burnt Out Moms

Self-care Tip 1: Block time

You have to schedule time for self-care. The same way that you ensure there is time to go to work, time to pick up the kids and time to make dinner most nights you also need to block time to care for yourself. You can do it daily or weekly, just make sure you do it.  You could set aside 15 to 20 minutes each day. Or block an hour or three on the weekends. Or even block a weekend once a year or twice a year. Pick some amount of time and block it. You deserve it. Just having something to look forward to can help to beat burnout.

You don’t have to know what you’re going to do during that time. You just have to block the time. Once it’s blocked you can figure it out. It may be something as simple as a nap or reading your favorite book. It could be taking a walk or something more complex that requires an appointment like going to the spa.  Just have the time blocked so that you know each day, each week,  each month each quarter, each year, you have time set aside so that you can take care of yourself. Remember self-care is self-preservation.

Self-Care Tip 2: Believe You Deserve It

If you have trouble believing that you deserve self-care you may end up feeling a lot of guilt when you are doing things for yourself.  There should be no guilt in believing that taking care of yourself is the right thing to do. You deserve to be taken care of. In fact you need it. It is your fundamental right. You must believe it so you can take this time without guilt.  If you don’t keep your fire lit who will? If you don’t keep your fire lit who will light the path for your children and loved ones? You deserve to be taken care of and you deserve to have nice things. Believe it.

Think about it…

What if your husband said I’m no longer going to take care of myself ? I don’t think it’s my job to take care of myself. How would you feel? What if your children grew up anticipating that someone else would always be there to take care of them?  What if they gave up their right to care for themselves? Would they be the functioning adults you want them to be?  Do you want your kids to grow up and not make time to care for themselves? Then why is that OK for you? The answer is, it’s not. Believe you deserve it because you do.

If you’re still having trouble with that concept. If you’re still feeling guilt when it comes to taking time out to take care of yourself find a good friend, someone that you trust and talk through it with them. They will help you understand how much you deserve to care for yourself. 

Self-Care Tip 3 Honor your Feelings

However it is that you’re feeling, whatever it is that you’re feeling, those feelings are real. If there are things that are troubling you, if you’re feeling tired, if you feel exhausted then honor that. If you feel exuberant, if you feel joy, honor that. Be sure to recognize and accept your feelings. And then act accordingly. If you are feeling depressed or sad recognize that and take action. If you’re feeling happy or excited revel in it.

Self-Care Tip 4: Do What You Love Not What Instagram tells you.

When it comes to self-care the Internet has gone crazy with images of bubble baths and feet propped up on the beach and frosty cold piña coladas with umbrellas in them and painted nails. If you’re not into that then don’t you worry. There’s nothing wrong. Self-care is personal. Self-care is self-preservation To beat burnout, you need to focus on you, not the outside world. Take the time to think about what revives you and then do those things.  It doesn’t matter if that’s with the women next-door or your mom crush on Instagram is doing. Just do what feels good to you because self-care is self-preservation and no one knows what will preserve you like you know. Honor your feelings and do what you love. 

 Self-Care Tip 5: Reward yourself

Yes, reward yourself for taking time to take care of yourself. It’s no small feat. Yes, there are a lot of other people depending on you. You have your children, your husband, parents, friends, siblings, colleagues, all depending on you. There is a lot resting on your shoulders and so doing the thing that should be so basic, is not. Taking care of yourself which should seem very like a natural task is not. But, you know who else is depending on you, you are.

It can feel abnormal to take care of yourself, or to put yourself first. Finding the time to do everything else that is required of you on top of everything else is really truly a feat. And so, you should recognize yourself and reward yourself when you do. High-five yourself because you deserve it, you earn it, every day.  You deserve to take care of yourself but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. We have to celebrate when we succeed and achieve.

Remember, Self-Care is Self-Preservation

If you are struggling with ideas for self-care or want to track and ensure that you are actually taking time out to take care for you, download the printable self-care checklist below. Remember, you have to take action to beat burnout. If you are already a member of the Rose Gold Mama tribe you can find the checklist in the Rose Gold Mine. 

Don’t forget to download the free self-care checklist. 

If you are looking for more self-care tips for burnt out moms, check the self-care + wellness page on this blog.