“Hey, Mom: lend me your ear for just a moment. I know you’re busy, but I have some important encouragement for you. Motherhood is a crazy time of life, and it’s even crazier when a health crisis like coronavirus hits. Each morning, you hit the floor running, and you don’t stop till you collapse in bed, exhausted, late at night. But in the middle of all the busyness, while taking care of others, it’s easy to forget to take care of yourself. Our lives can be like pressure cookers, and we can only handle so much stress. Sooner or later, we need a way to release it all. Right now, you’re probably thinking, “if I stop doing what I’m doing or cut back, who will get it done?” If you feel like you have to do it all, and you’re barely holding your world together, piling more pressure on yourself isn’t going to help keep it together. You really only have two choices: keep on pressing on, thinking you can grab the world by the tail, or be forced in times of crisis to slow down. You won’t find inner peace by trying to control your environment. You’ll need to create some calm within your crazy. There are a million things you can do. You deserve it, and you need it if you hope to refresh your mind, your body, and your soul.” Jim Daly

6 Free Self-Care Ideas

Taking care of yourself doesn’t have to be expensive or especially time-consuming. Here are 6 ideas inspired by Jim Daly’s “:30 Spots of Hope”

1. Soak in a bubble bath after everyone else has gone to bed or in the morning before they get up. Take a break from your phone and the tv…try just to relax, pray, and give your stress and anxiety to the Lord. 
2. Have lunch in a park or your yard. The idea is to change up your routine a little…get out of the house and get some fresh air. Take notice of the beauty of God’s creation and how richly He has provided for us. 

“The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known.” 

Psalm 19.1 NLT

3. Get some exercise. It doesn’t have to be the same kind of working out you do at a gym. Get the kids involved- have a dance party, teach the kids “Simon Says,” or play hide and seek outside. 
4. Work on a hobby you’ve neglected or pick up a new one! Bonus points if you recycle things from around the house for your projects!
5. If you enjoy cooking, cook a healthy and delicious meal. If you’re out of kitchen inspiration, set up an email recipe exchange and get some fresh ideas to liven up your meal routine. Up the stress-relief factor by listening to music or an audiobook while you cook. 
6. Reconnect with family or friends you haven’t talked to in a while. Reminisce and laugh together. You might be surprised how refreshed you’ll feel after you take a little time to do something for yourself.

“A cheerful heart is good medicine…”

Proverbs 17.22a NLT

Hopefully, these ideas have given you some ways to take a break and take care of yourself. Comment below and let us know some of the “self-care” things you do.

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