I frequently believe that the phrase "busy mom" is meaningless; are there any other types of mothers? Not in my opinion! This fundamental truth holds true no matter where you live in the world—in an urban or rural home, with a small or large family—a mother's labor is never done! The issue is that mothers often become so busy that they forget to take care of themselves. We eventually develop chronic ailments as a result of this negligence, and we also stop feeling and looking our best.
However, today's mothers are smart, aspirational, and motivated to accomplish our objectives and fulfill our responsibilities to our families and careers, just like you and me. It's a tall order, but we are not just ordinary old people—we are mothers!
These ten affordable health and beauty ideas are ideal for working mothers and may be easily included into your daily routine. We hope that our thoughts may help you see things from a different angle, even though you've undoubtedly heard some of these before!
Top 10 Beauty and Health Tips for Busy Moms
MoveOne word, indeed: move! You're undoubtedly already moving around a lot as a mother of a toddler or young child, but if your child is still too small to go to school, chances are excellent that you've made good friends with the sofa, especially during these times. Try to fit in 10-minute workouts throughout the day, as gyms are closed anyway and you might not have an hour to dedicate to your fitness.
While engaging in routine tasks, you can also get some exercise. Do push-ups or squats while waiting for the water to boil, walk while talking on the phone, or stand on one leg while brushing your teeth, as examples. Do burpees or lift weights while watching TV or while the commercials are running. Or just play some music and have a dance party with your kids!
Stay Hydrated
This one thing is crucial for everyone, but especially for working mothers! Water keeps your skin and hair healthy, washes away pollutants, and guarantees that all of your systems are operating properly. Making sure you drink at least two liters of water a day—more if it's really hot outside or you perspire a lot—is essential for your health, appearance, and general well-being.
But when you're chasing a newborn or toddler, it's practically hard to keep track of this. For this reason, we advise keeping a liter-sized water bottle just for you. After that, you'll be able to see how frequently you need to refill your bottle. In the morning, try to finish one liter before lunch, and one after.
Prioritize Sleep
I bet you're chuckling when you read this. Sleeping? For mothers? Ha ha ha! Indeed, sleep is the first thing to go when you become a mother, but it's also crucial for our wellbeing. Less than seven hours of sleep every night, according to the CDC, can increase the risk of heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and other lifestyle diseases as well as mental health conditions like depression. Your skin and hair's quality is also impacted by sleep.
With a young baby, it might be challenging to obtain a full night's sleep, so take a nap whenever you can. As your children get older, schedule their bedtime according to your desired wake-up time. When that moment comes, put your phone aside, stop everything, and get ready for bed. You may do any task you had on your plate at that time far more quickly and effectively when you get up in the morning!
Buy Whole Foods
The story of eating out has ended due to the epidemic, but many of us are still hesitant to order in. Although you are cooking more at home, which is a positive thing, it is ineffective if you are relying on manufactured food or refined components. Choose natural flavorings and sweeteners, and the unprocessed form of everything. Give up purchasing packaged food altogether; if it's not available, you won't purchase it. Additionally, even if you crave something, you are not likely to disguise yourself and go shopping merely to acquire it given the state of affairs.
Meal Plan and Prep
Now that you're buying for a whole week at a time, it would be wise to plan your meals in advance, considering what you already have in your pantry and refrigerator as well as what you want to make each day of the week. Make a detailed plan for everything, including the side dishes, salads, snacks, and so on. You can make sure you eat from all the food groups when you meal plan, and you can also prevent decision fatigue. Meal prep reduces cooking time by almost half and decreases the likelihood of ordering takeout. Not to mention a life that is more structured and free of worry!
Embrace your Natural Hair
It's easy to place the blame on social media, entertainment, or society, but the reality is that a lot of us adhere to unidentified people's ideals of beauty. As a result, we frequently feel self-conscious about the way we look and constantly want to alter one aspect of ourselves, particularly our hair! People with curly hair prefer poker straight hair, whereas those with straight hair prefer gorgeous waves. In addition to extreme heat and chemicals, trying to transform your hair from its natural state takes a lot of time, energy, and money. So just forego all of that and accept your natural hair if you're a busy mom. When you work with it rather than against it, you'll be pleasantly surprised.
Wash less Frequently
Even if you probably already wash your hair less as a mom, it's important to emphasize this because excessive washing might damage your hair. Moisture is one of the most essential things that hair requires, and overwashing precisely takes that moisture away. Particularly if you use chemical-laden, harsh shampoos and conditioners. Wash your hair two to three times a week, depending on your hair type, and then just keep it maintained in between washes, which leads us to our next suggestion.
Freshen between Washes
You can take a few simple steps to keep your hairstyle in place in between washes if it tends to frizz up or droop and appear oily. First of all, these issues can be quickly resolved by utilizing natural products and providing your hair with the proper care. Even so, you can use cocoa powder or corn starch as dry shampoo to elevate those roots if you do end up facing them. Flyaways can be tamed with an essential oil blend. Simply mist the frizzy areas with a clean toothbrush and smooth.
Go ‘No-Poo’
We're talking about switching up your hair products, not forcing you to completely reorganize your bathroom routine. Consider how much chemical exposure you will receive over many years if you use goods containing chemicals many times a week. Try a hair shampoo made of chickpeas or honey for cleansing that is damage-free and 100% natural. Select elements that are beneficial to healthy hair, such as aloe vera. By repurposing items from your kitchen, this will not only save you money but also time spent looking for a certain shampoo!
Avoid Tight Styles
Do you know what a "Mom bun" is? It is real, I promise! Moms are often overworked and rushed, throwing their hair up in a sloppy bun or using the first available hair clip when they have to get down to business. While this might temporarily keep your hair out of your face, it may have long-term negative effects. Make life considerably easier by choosing a hair cut that requires little upkeep. Steer clear of tight scrunchies and metal clips, and pick up a few easy hairstyles that don't need really tight hair. An excessive amount of tightness may put strain on the roots and cause them to break.