One of my favorite quotes as it relates to the importance of self care in motherhood is “you can’t pour from an empty cup.” That quote always reminds me of how important it is to take care of myself before I’m able to be at my best for my family. Motherhood is one of the most amazing, beautiful, and exhausting jobs you will ever have; and if you aren’t careful you can completely forget about your needs, because you’re too busy putting everyone’s needs before your own. As mom’s there is NEVER enough time in the day, but I’ve combined five simple ways to add a little more self care into your days.

• HIIT Workout. High intensity impact training (HIIT) is an easy way to incorporate health and wellness into your day without taking much time. There are a ton of YouTube videos that range from 10-20 minutes and provide you with great workouts to start or end your day. It’s amazing how a quick workout can dramatically boost your mood.
• Keep your pantry stocked with healthy snacks. As moms, it can be tough to actual enjoy a meal without having to scarf it down, and more often than we like to admit, our meals are probably not the healthiest. Keeping your pantry and fridge stocked with healthier options makes for guilt free snacking throughout the day. Your body is a temple, so treat it as such and take care of it by eating healthy. One of my latest snack obsessions is SkinnyPop Popcorn, and at only 100 calories per bag I don’t feel guilty for snacking.
• Make it a habit to unplug at least once a day, even if it isn’t until the kids go to bed. Give yourself at least 20-30 minutes each day to unplug from everyone and everything. Use this time to sit and meditate in total silence, or even to just have some time alone with your thoughts. Things can get very loud in a house full of kids, and it’s okay to admit that sometimes you want a few moments to yourself to watch one of your favorite shoes, read a few chapters of a new book, or just sit alone in a quiet room.
• Don’t Skip on Skin & Body Care. I’m a huge believer in making time for a beauty routine, regardless if you are a mom or not. Maintaining your skin and body care regimens should be a top priority. Maintaining a skincare routine doesn’t have to be expensive or very time consuming. Reward yourself every Friday with a facial or sheet mask and a glass of your favorite wine or cucumber water to give an added spa feel. Maintaining a good skincare routine will send the message that skincare/self-care is important and should not be viewed as a luxury, but as a necessity and there is no excuse not to do it.
• Stay Connected With Your Spouse. Weekly date nights may be few and far between during the baby stage, but that is no excuse to forgo alone time with your spouse. It’s important to turn off “mom” and “dad”, and even husband and wife, to get back to boyfriend and girlfriend. Making time to snuggle together on the couch after the kids go to bed is guaranteed to be an instant mood booster. Ask hubby to even add in a foot massage for an added bonus.

Self-care is not a selfish act, and for busy women all over the globe it should be nonnegotiable. What are some of your favorite ways to incorporate self-care into your daily routine?