Us Single Mums can be terrible at making time for self-care. After all it is not easy to fit in something as irrelevant as your own needs amidst the endless demands of housework, parenting, socialising and working. But taking care of yourself isn’t irrelevant at all, it’s actually essential to refill your cup in order to your children, yourself, and any other family member who may demand your time and attention (looking at my furry, four legged creatures who like to make more mess than I can keep up with!). In this post I am going to share 30 self-care ideas for single mums that are easy to fit into your daily routine, and will help you to find Emotional, Physical, and Spiritual balance.

You may think to yourself- well I shower/ bath everyday, but I don’t feel the self-love or fulfillment that I am told comes with taking care of yourself. But To really feel the effectiveness of self care is to find balance. Real self-care nurtures your emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being, which helps you to feel empowered, happy and fulfilled. 

Self-care doesn’t have to be elaborate, time consuming, or expensive. All of these are inexpensive self care ideas that you can pretty much start today so you can be on your way to feeling more patient, energized, and full of joy which will flow through to your children.

Emotional Self-Care Ideas For Single Mums

Your emotional well-being and mental health is quite literally the foundation for keeping everything together as a single mum- trust me, my whole life has fallen apart when I have been in the pits and emotionally dysregulated. Keeping your emotional health in check doesn’t require grand gestures- Its all about taking small, intentional moments that allow you to feel supported and balanced.

So here are some simple ways you can nurture your emotional well-being so you can build on your emotional strength and not only survive, but thrive. 

1. Journal daily- Write down your thoughts, feelings, goals, and manifestations. 
2. Practice gratitude- listing three things you’re thankful for each morning or evening.
3. Set boundaries- you are allowed to say NO to toxic people and overwhelming commitments.
4. Call a supportive friend or make some new friends- Trust me, spending an hour or so laughing and chatting with a friend will make you feel much lighter.
5. Watch a feel-good movie- Grab some popcorn and a blanket and snuggle in for the night.
6. Declutter your space- a tidy environment can help clear your mind and makes space for more abundance!
7. Celebrate small wins- treat yourself to something simple, like your favorite snack or a new outfit.
8. Read a Good book-  pop down to your local library or dust one off your book shelf and get cosy.
9. Allow yourself to cry- Crying may not sound like self care but it does release pent-up emotions without guilt.
10. Create a playlist of songs- Sick of baby shark? Create your own playlist and pop it on whenever you need a pick me up.

Physical Self-Care Ideas For Single Mums

Physical well-being and self-care is often confused with the need to hit the gym hard everyday, or following strict diets that quite frankly as a single mum, leave you feeling depleted and defeated more often than not! No I am not here for that!

Caring for your body by listening to what it needs is an act of self-love and will help you to feel more energized and grounded. These self-care tips will help you to maintain a healthy body to support your strong mind and spirit.

1. Take a walk in your local park- even just a short walk in the fresh air is enough to clear your mind and a great way to mindfully move your body.
2. Stretch daily or take up yoga- Even five minutes in the morning or evening can help you to de-stress and relax.
3. Stay hydrated- Make sure you are drinking enough water throughout the day.
4. Try a new recipe- Whether it’s comfort food or a healthy new meal, trying new things is great for the body and soul.
5. Have a spa day- i know self care goes beyond bubble baths and spa days, but still it feels damn good! So go get out those essential oils and bath salts.
6. Dance around the house- Remember that playlist I told you to create? Time to press play and shake that ass to your favorite tunes.
7. Book a haircut or nail appointment- If your budget allows book in that treatment! You deserve to spend some time and money on yourself too.
8. Create a bedtime routine for you- night-time routines aren’t just for the kids, creating a good sleep schedule and getting enough sleep are important for you too.
9. Start a short home workout routine- Create an easy and regular exercise routine with simple exercises like squats or push-ups.
10. Wear something that makes you feel good- Don’t save your best clothes for special occasions. Wear things that make you feel good, even if it’s just at home.

Spiritual Self-Care Ideas For Single Mums

Connecting with yourself and finding inner-peace as a single parent can seem impossible some days! But carving out just a few minutes a day for meditation, gratitude, or just spending time in nature can help you to create a sense of calm and purpose back into your life. These simple practices help you to build a deeper connection with yourself, realign your energy, and cultivate a positive mindset! 

1. Meditate for 5-10 minutes- Meditation is known for lowering blood pressure, calming your mind and creating inner peace. YouTube has some great meditation videos so you don’t need to take time going to meditation classes if it isn’t an option.
2. Practice deep breathing exercises- Deep breathing is great when you feel overwhelmed and need to calm your body down.
3. Spend time in nature- sit in a park, watch the sunrise, or just breathe fresh air.
4. Create a vision board- Creating a vision board on pinterest, canva, or even on paper with images and words that inspire you will help you to gain clarity on what you want and reach your goals faster.
5. Read an uplifting spiritual or self-help book- I love a good self- help book, choose one that motivates you towards your goals.
6. Light a candle or incense- Light a candle or incense and enjoy a moment of peace in the warm glow.
7. Write affirmations- Affirmations are great for building confidence and self-love so look some up online or create your own and repeat them daily (e.g., “I am worthy, loved, and enough.”).
8. Do gratitude meditation- I know I have mentioned both of these before but combining the two and focusing on the blessings in your life is powerful.
9. Disconnecting from social media- Social media is great, but disconnecting for a few hours to recharge will do you the world of good.
10. Spend quiet time reflecting- or praying, if it aligns with your beliefs, make sure you make time for it.

​Balancing Self-care For Single Mums

So as you can see, self-care doesn’t have to be elaborate, expensive, or time consuming, but it is essential to your emotional, spiritual, and physical health. So stop putting yourself at the bottom of the list and start taking care of yourself so you can become the most incredible version of yourself!

What simple self-care ideas will you try?