Realistic Self-Care for Moms Who Don’t Have Time
There’s been a recent trend you may have come across on social media (algorithm pending) - it’s essentially moms calling other out who say “we all have the same 24 hours.” Technically, yes - sure - we do. However, how those 24 hours look can typically vary wildly for moms.
Most days it feels like self-care is just one more thing on your already overflowing to-do list. Long baths? Meditation retreats? A full night’s sleep? Cute, but unrealistic.
The good news: self-care doesn’t have to be big, time-consuming, or Instagram-worthy to make a meaningful difference in your mental health. In fact, the smallest habits — done consistently — often have the biggest impact.
Here’s what realistic self-care actually looks like for moms who are short on time (which is… all of us).
Micro-Moments Count More Than You Think
Forget 30-minute routines. Most moms only get 30 seconds. Micro-moments are tiny pockets of calm you sprinkle throughout the day, like:
Taking three deep breaths before responding to a crying baby
Drinking a glass of water before your morning coffee
Sitting still for one minute in the car before walking into daycare or work
Listening to a favorite song to shift your energy
Small doesn’t mean insignificant. It means achievable.
Redefine What Self-Care Even Means
Self-care isn’t just pampering—it’s anything that helps you feel more grounded, supported, or human.
Examples of unexpected self-care:
Saying “no” to something you don’t have the bandwidth for
Using paper plates when the dishes are piling up
Ordering groceries instead of dragging kids through a store
Taking a mental break from group chats that drain you
Self-care isn’t indulgence—it’s strategy.
Build Self-Care Into What You Already Do
If you can’t add more to your schedule, add more into what you’re already doing:
Stretch while you wait for the microwave
Keep a favorite snack in your bag for energy crashes
Practice grounding (notice 5 things you see, 4 you hear…) while rocking the baby
Turn chores into “you time” with podcasts or music
You don’t need extra hours—just small shifts in habits.
Prioritize the Essentials: Sleep, Nutrition, and Sunlight
Moms often push these to the bottom of the list, but they create the biggest mental health shifts:
Sleep: go to bed 20 minutes earlier (set an alarm to start winding down)
Nutrition: stock 2–3 easy, nourishing snacks you actually enjoy
Sunlight: step outside for a few minutes every morning
If everything else falls apart, these three rebuild you.
Realistic self-care is not about adding more to your day—it’s about removing the pressure to be everything at once. It’s giving yourself grace, creating micro-moments of ease, and accepting that your needs matter just as much as everyone else’s.