Why Self-Care Tips Matter for Working Moms in the New Year
This is usually the time of year when the word “resolution” gets to have its moment in the sun. The clock resets, a new year is ushered in, and we all get to the work of planning the next 12 months.
For many women, however, self-care for working moms often end up at the bottom of the priority list. Balancing a career, raising children, managing a household, and caring for everyone else can make setting personal goals feel overwhelming.
Parents often have little time to themselves, and many working moms continue to shoulder much of the responsibility at home. That’s why realistic self-care habits are often more valuable than ambitious resolutions that are difficult to maintain.
Sometimes it’s the simplest habits that make the biggest difference.
If you’re looking for practical ways to improve your mental health this year, Just Mind therapists Teri Shroeder, LCSW, and Loren Lomme, LPC, RPT, share these working mom self-care tips that are achievable ad meaningful
10 Powerful Working Mom Self-Care Tips for the New Year
1. Practice Self-Compassion
This past year has been harder on working moms than any other in recent memory—and it’s also been a whole lot more complicated. A great resolution is simply to have some compassion for yourself and acknowledge that you made it through a really difficult year.
Remember that self-care for working moms start with treating yourself with the same kindness you would offer a friend. (Teri Schroeder, LCSW)’
2. Start a Gratitude Practice
Gratitude practices are simple, quick, and research-backed ways to bring more joy into your life. Begin or end each day with jotting down 2–3 things you felt grateful for that day. This one small change can have a big, positive effect on your mental health and mindset.
Keeping a simple gratitude journal is one of the easiest self-care habits to build and take only a few minutes. (Loren Lomme, LPC, RPT)
Learn more about gratitude here: The Benefits of Gratitude
3. Communicate Your Needs
Don’t hold back from telling your partner or another family member what you need. This is always true, but in these times especially, it’s crucial that you understand you don’t have to face everything alone. Maybe you need more help with household chores or family dinners. Maybe you simply need an hour to yourself at some point throughout the day. Don’t be afraid to ask for what you need, or even what you want.
Healthy communication reduces stress and helps prevent burnout, especially when responsibilities are shared.(TS)
4. Create One New Habit
This habit doesn’t have to be anything momentous—in fact, the point is that it isn’t. Decide that every day you’ll do something easy but nurturing for yourself: have a cup of your favorite hot tea, take five minutes on the back porch or in your bedroom with the door closed to just be alone, read a chapter of a book that’s been on your reading list, spend five minutes stretching in the morning or before bed, etc.
Small, consistent habits are often more sustainable than dramatic lifestyle changes and are an important part of self-care for working moms. (LL)
5. Don’t Compare Yourself to Others
Comparing yourself to others is deeply unhelpful, particularly when you’re spread too thin. And right now, everyone is spread too thin (regardless of what their Instagram might say). Each day is simply about doing the best you can in that moment. Go easy on yourself.
Social media often highlights only the best moments of someone else’s life. Focus on your own progress instead of unrealistic comparisons. (TS)
6. When Choosing Activities to Do With Your Kids, Pick Something You Like, Too
If you’re going to the park, pick a park that you also enjoy. If you’re sitting down to play a game, offer options you don’t mind playing (i.e., you don’t always have to play the games that make annoying sounds). If you’re letting your kids pick dinner for the night, suggest menus or restaurants that you like, too. When you also enjoy a shared activity, not only does that make things nicer for you, but your kids are also more likely to have a better time (wouldn’t you rather play with a happy parent than one staring at the clock?).
Self-care doesn’t always have to happen alone. Choosing activities everyone enjoys helps create meaningful family time while still honoring your own needs. (LL)
7. Prioritize Your Needs
Remember the expression “you can’t pour from an empty cup.” In order to take care of others around you, you have to first make sure your own needs are being met. For you, this might mean more childcare assistance or hiring someone to clean the house more regularly. Or maybe it just means taking five minutes to breathe in the morning before starting your day. Think about what feels important to you, and lean in.
Remember that prioritizing yourself isn’t selfish- it’s an essential part of maintaining your physical and emotional well-being. (TS)
8. Delegate
When possible, delegate tasks you don’t have time or energy for: Recruit the kids to take care of a chore you know they can do. Cut out an expense you don’t really need to pay for someone to clean your house once a month. Ask for help from family and friends when you need it. We’re wired for connection, and it’s okay to ask others for help.
Asking for help is a strength, not a weakness. Delegating responsibilities creates more time and energy for the things that matter most. (LL)
9. Review Your Year
Take stock of what went well and what didn’t last year, or even over the past few weeks. Think about what changes you want to hold onto, and what it’s time to let go of. Know that it’s been a really hard and weird year for everyone, but of the habits or strategies you put into place last year, which best supported your family, or your own mental health?
Reflecting on both your successes and challenges helps you create realistic goals for the months ahead. (TS)
10. Practice Mindfulness
Practice moments of mindfulness throughout the day. When you find yourself thinking about a neverending to-do list or feeling overwhelmed with the day’s activities, refocus your attention on the thing you’re doing at that moment (playing with your child, making dinner, getting ready for work, etc.). Think about the small joys of that moment—the way the air feels, the support of your favorite chair, the smell of dinner cooking on the stove, the sound of your kids laughing. This simple act can have a tremendous ability to ease stress. Even a few minutes of mindfulness each day can reduce stress and improve emotional resilience. (LL)
Self-Care for Working Moms Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated
The best self-care routines are often the simplest ones. Rather than trying to completely transform your life overnight, focus on one or two habits that feel realistic. Whether it’s practicing gratitude, asking for help, creating healthier boundaries, or taking five quiet minutes for yourself, these small actions can improve your mental health over time. Consistency is far more important than perfection. As you continue building habits throughout the year, you’ll likely notice that caring for yourself also helps you show up more fully for your family, your work, and the people you love.
Everyone experiences stress from time to time, but persistent feelings of anxiety, burnout, irritability, or emotional exhaustion may signal that additional support could help. Speaking with a therapist can provide practical strategies for managing stress, strengthening relationships, and creating healthier routines that support long-term well-being.
Photo by Standsome Worklifestyle on Unsplash
