How to get 10 minutes for self-care

Self-care can mean many things, but when you're a stay-at-home mum who spends time taking care of other people it doesn't matter what it means because you don't have time for it. But with a little organisation, knowing what to spend time on, and prioritising yourself, you can get 10 minutes for self-care - even if you're a stay-at-home mum.



Why getting 10 minutes for self-care is important


As a mum you put everyone else first without thinking about the effect on yourself. And when you get stressed out and have an outburst you feel guilty. By taking 10 minutes to for yourself you're helping everyone.



How To Get 10 Minutes For Self-Care | Sitting to have coffee is a form of self-care - when will you do it?
Mmmm, a hot coffee...


  • Thinking time. Getting time to be alone and think is good for you. Whether it's looking out of the window with a hot coffee in your hand, or walking along the canal and watching the ducks, that thinking time helps you. You can organise your thoughts, think through your to-do list, and even check things off that have already been done. All in peace.





Lighten up on yourself. No one is perfect. Gently accept your humanness.

Deborah Day





  • Be you, without obligations. When was the last time you thought of yourself as anything but a stay-at-home mum? You spend all your time looking after others and as a result you tend to lose yourself. Getting 10 minutes for self-care allows you to re-learn who you are, it helps you work out your likes, dislikes, and most of all it helps you know yourself.

  • Learn something new. An opportunity to learn a new hobby, read an interesting article in the paper or online, or taking an educational course, makes you feel good. When you do something that makes you happy you're ready for anything.



How To Get 10 Minutes For Self-Care | Learning a new hobby will make you feel good!
Learn to take amazing photos!


  • Taking care of you IS taking care of others. When you take care of yourself you're more willing, and even happier, to take care of others. By getting 10 minutes of self-care you're saying you value yourself and that you play an important role - and your family will start to see it too!



Benefits of using 10 minutes for self-care


  • Less stress. When you get 10 minutes for self-care you can let the stresses go. It is easier to cope with stresses when you are getting down time.

  • You're more positive about life. As a result of those 10 minutes for self-care you're happier, and more positive about everything. Something might be going wrong, or there's a mishap somewhere but because you're getting time for you you feel ready to take on whatever life throws at you.



How To Get 10 Minutes For Self-Care | Smile - it makes you feel good!
Just smiling can make you feel good.


  • Improve self-esteem. You start to feel good about yourself. You could be taking a yoga class, or delving into a new hobby but you're spending time improving yourself. And that feels good.

  • Improved health. By taking the time to think of yourself for a little while every day you're noticing things that need to change, or things that are a niggling issue and you get them sorted. You may start an exercise class to lose weight. You could notice something hurts and get it checked out by a doctor. Either way, you're taking care of yourself - and that's essential.

  • Improve concentration. When you're not distracted by impending school trips or your Hubby's washing pile, concentration is easier. You feel ready to put your brain to work and concentrate on the job at hand.



How To Get 10 Minutes For Self-Care | Spending time with your kids can be a form of self-care.

Your kids can make you feel amazing...



  • Better productivity. Have you noticed that when you're happier you tend to work faster? I know I have. Whether it's getting the washing into the machine, sorting out the kids' packed lunch, or seeing the Hubby off to work in a morning, it all goes quicker when you have a smile on your face.

  • You feel more giving. When you take 10 minutes for self-care you are more willing to help others. You're happy, fulfilled, so giving time to a family member makes you happier.  



How to get 10 minutes for self-care


Start small




How To Get 10 Minutes For Self-Care | Cake and coffee is always going to be nice...



Make small changes to your current routines. Instead of getting straight on with the cleaning as soon as you get up why not take a minute to drink your hot coffee? That's how I started my new self-care routine and it really helps with my motivation in a morning.





Learning to love yourself is like learning to walk - essential, life-changing, and the only way to stand tall.

Vironika Tugaleva





Do one thing just for you


Like I said, that coffee is a must for me but for you it could be something different. You might enjoy a nice breakfast, or watching your favourite show could be what makes you smile. Whatever it is make time for it in your day.



Change your priorities


It really is okay to put yourself first sometimes, even when you're a mum. I know we spend our days putting everyone else first but doing something for you is allowed. I regularly take 10 minutes for self-care - it can be yoga, drawing, or even sitting and drinking my coffee - but I do it regularly so my family know I'm taking care of me and them.



Learn to say no




How To Get 10 Minutes For Self-Care | Learn to say no!



Whether it's the friend who always stops by, a family member who asks for your help too much, or even the kids asking for snacks - it's okay to say no. By saying no to some of the demands on your time you're giving yourself that time back - which you can then use on self-care.



Create routines to get 10 minutes for self-care


The very best way you can get 10 minutes for self-care is to create routines for yourself. Daily chore checklists, the kids' routine for school. It will take time, believe me, but if you do the same things every day and establish a routine you'll soon find that you have those 10 minutes for self-care - then you just need to work out what you're going to do with it!






As a busy stay-at-home mum you need to start prioritising yourself. Not all of the time, but for at least 10 minutes. Self-care is important - it makes you happier and that means you're more ready to deal with the day-to-day stuff that comes with being a stay-at-home mum

I hope this article has helped you see how to get 10 minutes for self-care and I would be happy to hear how you've been spending those 10 minutes.



When was the last time you got 10 minutes for self-care?