8 Self-Care Tips for Busy Mums (That I Learned the Hard Way)

Why Calm Mums Make Happier Families

If you’ve ever lost your cool and instantly regretted it - you’re not alone. Parenting is beautiful, messy and exhausting all at once. For years, I thought being a good mum meant putting myself last. But here’s the truth: a happy, calm mum is a better mum.

Learning to take care of myself has been my number one parenting lesson - one that took me three years (and a lot of tears) to really understand. I still don’t get it right every day (or even every week), but I now know that we parents matter too.

And since no child ever says, “Hey Mum, you need a break, go and have one!” - it’s up to us to create those moments for ourselves. And before you think ‘yeah but getting a break is so much easier said than done', then yes, I agree with you. But it doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try.

Here are eight simple but powerful things that help me stay grounded, calmer and more positive - even on the busiest days.

1. Prioritise Movement, Sleep and Nourishment

It sounds obvious, but the basics matter most. Whether it’s a short walk, a quick stretch or drinking enough water, something is always better than nothing. A calm body leads to a calm mind - and both make you a more patient parent. Maybe you could head to bed 10 minutes earlier today or drink an extra glass of water?

2. Check Your Posture (and Your Face!)

I started catching myself clenching my jaw or frowning without realising. Maybe as you read this you’ll notice tension in your body too; so a quick body check - shoulders down, jaw loose, forehead soft. All of these instantly lower stress. Body scans are also a great technique when you're in a tricky situation wiht your little one too!

3. Take a ‘Proper’ Shower or Bath

And I mean proper. Door locked, no interruptions, no one shouting. A few minutes of solitude can reset your mood and give you the quiet you didn’t know you needed. If I remember I try to practise gratitude in the shower too - it's a great way to distract me from my to-do list.

4. Practice Mindfulness and Deep Breathing

Sometimes deep breaths are the only way I get by! When emotions run high, so does our breathing. Slowing down your breath sends a signal to your body that it’s safe. Even three deep breaths can shift the energy of a chaotic moment. If finding a moment alone to do this isn't possible, this is one that you can practise with your children too.

5. Get Fresh Air and Daylight

Never underestimate the power of sunshine and movement. Whether it’s a walk with your child or sitting outside with your coffee, being outdoors helps restore calm - for both of you. If you're feeling really adventurous, let your bare feet touch the grass and notice how it makes you feel.

6. Watch Something Funny

Humour heals. Ending the day with laughter - even a 10-minute comedy clip - lightens the load and reminds you not to take everything so seriously. I do this every night before bed, I know the sleep experts would say that’s not conducive to a great night sleep, but I look forward to this bedtime ritual. 

7. Talk It Out

Sometimes what we need most is connection. Whether it’s venting to a friend on a voice note, talking to a professional or just saying things out loud, expressing how you feel can stop the overwhelm from building up. I promise you are not the only parent who gets fed up with carrying the load sometimes.

8. Listen to Music

Music can shift your energy in seconds. I listen while cleaning or creating videos for social media - it’s an instant mood booster and a great reminder to bring joy into the ordinary. Perhaps you could make a 'happy mum' playlist.

The main takeaway is - you deserve calm too!

I know you’ve probably heard it before but self-care isn’t selfish - it’s an essential parenting technique. When you take care of yourself, you teach your children a valuable life skill too. Would you want you own child to feel as run down as you do? Of course you wouldn’t - so sometimes we need to parent ourselves too. You don’t need to do all eight things at once. Pick one. Try it today. And then repeat it again and again and again. Because the calmer you are, the calmer your home will be.

Hi, I’m Emma, Early Childhood Expert and founder of Everyday. My goal is simple: help parents understand their children better so every stage feels a little brighter. Because at the end of the day, it’s not about the extraordinary - it’s about the everyday.

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