This is a sponsored post with author of Julie in partnership with CATALO and The Motherhood.

You’re a mom. And that means you’ve devoted a good part of your daily life towards caring for others. But somewhere between sunrise and sunset, there’s got to be time for you. Maybe it’s in the morning, before everyone rises? Or if you have little ones, it might be at nap time when you finally have a moment? How about once the kids are bathed, brushed and in bed, then maybe you have some time to yourself? 

Yes, the dreaded words, SELF-CARE. I bet some of you rolled your eyes. But truly, whatever you think when you hear those words, self-care is necessary for body, mind and soul. Whenever your self-care time comes, it should be strategic and useful. Not to say that vegging out after a rough day with a TV binge isn’t okay once in a while. But the majority of your self-care should be meaningful.

Self-Care Tips for Moms

You might lament that you NEVER have time to yourself. But then think how often you’re mindlessly scrolling on your phone. You probably have more time than you think. But can’t even remember the last time you did something good for yourself? In the long run, you want to choose the things that take up your time to be long-term beneficial to your well being.

I don’t know about you but my free time comes very sporadically and in short bursts (usually at toddler nap time or late at night)! I don’t often have a full day to myself to indulge in the elusive “me time”. I’m also on a budget so going out for pedicures isn’t on this list. I have a few budget-friendly, choice ways to spend your time with these self-care tips for moms.

Eat Better

Eat better, feel better? For the most part, yes. Eat veggies even when nobody is watching. Eliminate one take-out meal a week and prepare that recipe you’ve been wanting to try. Stop nibbling your toddler’s leftovers. Just make better choices with what you eat and it’s a great way to show your body you care.

Get Involved with Others

How can you take care of yourself when you’re getting more involved with others? I find that by surrounding myself with positive influences, I’m more likely to be good to myself too. If you aren’t getting that vibe from your friends or the other ladies you hang out with, maybe it’s time to seek out those who uplift you. I was able to find a wonderful group of supportive women in a group at my church.

Have a Spa Day (or a Spa Moment)

Who has time for an entire day, you have to take the moments when you can, right? Give yourself a spa moment and a chance to pamper yourself and relax. It might come in the form of a foot soak, a DIY scalp massage, or a facial mask. Roll a massage ball under your lotioned feet for a personal foot massage. And if you really want to live it up, drop a bath bomb into the tub for a pre-bedtime soak.

Play Music

Music can certainly turn a bad mood around. Create a favorite play list and just sit down, put your feet up and listen. Or wear your headphones if the toddler is napping and have your own personal dance party in the kitchen!

Just Breathe

All too often during the day I find that my breathing is shallow and short. In the afternoons, I’ve started running a diffuser with essential oils. The scent that lingers in the air is reminding me to take deeper and slower breaths.

Show Your Creative Side

When I’m needing time to myself, I retreat to my garage “studio”. I have my sewing machine set up and can easily spend a few hours with my needles and fabric. Or I’ll pull out my watercolors and paper and escape into painting. Find a craft that you love and allow your creative outlet to fill your self-care time.

Make a Phone Call

I tend to call my family and friends when I’m on the Bluetooth in the car (driving and talking, two birds with one stone right?) But how focused am I really, on the conversation? In fact, today my husband called me out on it because I was washing dishes while trying to talk on the phone with him and I wasn’t really following the conversation. Next time you’re calling a friend or family member, sit in a quiet room and truly listen to them talk.

Take Your Vitamins

When I was pregnant and nursing, I took my vitamins like clockwork. But now that it’s been a few years, I’ve fallen off the vitamin routine and just getting back into the routine of taking them daily. I’m already a fan of CATALO for their children’s vitamins. Now I’ve been introduced to these two formulas for women, CATALO Vegetarian DHA Formula and CATALO Vegetarian Calcium Formula.

Don’t be thrown off by the “prenatal” mentions on the packaging, these CATALO vitamins are appropriate for all women. And they have powerhouse ingredients that are ideal for busy moms. Both of these formulas are also vegetarian-friendly.

The CATALO Vegetarian DHA Formula is a small softgel for easier consumption. This supplement is made from purified non-GMO microalgae by patented technology to provide a plant source of life’s DHA™. It is free of ocean-borne pollutants with no fishy taste (good news if you are pregnant!). The formula also increases maternal DHA availability for fetal development.

The CATALO Vegetarian Calcium Formula contains calcium-rich Aquamin™ red algae & acerola cherry for extra vitamin C. This supplement will help maintain bone and immune health and increase nutrition absorption, both important features when you’re working on self-care via exercise and healthier eating. What an easy way for moms to show themselves a little love, by taking self-care to the next level and nourishing your body inside.

It’s Okay to Say NO

One of the biggest things I do for my own self-care is to not take on too much. We’re always so busy taking care of our own children and then we tend to take on additional responsibilities (team mom, room mom, etc.). It’s okay to say no to all the extras if it means that you’re sacrificing your personal time. 

Put on Lipstick

Might just be me, but I feel so much more put together and confident when I’m wearing a pretty lipstick. I put it on each morning after I brush my teeth and it just brightens my whole face.

Write Up Affirmations

Do you have favorite Bible verses or positive affirmations that lift and enlighten? Write them on a sticky note and place them in prominent spots where you’ll put eyes on them daily. I have several around my home that give me pause and help me to clear my head each day.

Exercise Makes the Heart Stronger

Fitness is becoming my new norm. I pushed my health to the back burner for so long but just now realizing how important exercise is for my life. Fitting in exercise is a must for everyone and if you take a positive look at it, working in fitness is a ideal self-care tip.

Journal Your Journey

I spent my teenage years writing a diary. It wasn’t anything long, just a few sentences each day. But going back through them years later, I was surprised at the small moments that were important and that I’d have forgotten had I not wrote them down. Jot down a brief memory of the highlights in each day, something that made you laugh, or something that made you cry.

Go to Bed

Kids are asleep? Why stay up if your body is craving rest, just go to bed already! All too often I stay up way past when my body is crying out for sleep, just because I’m trying to squeeze in a little bit more “me time”. But really the best thing I can do for myself is to make sure I’m well rested. So just turn off the light and go to bed!

*All products are health supplement. Not for medical use. Shall not imply or use any word such as ‘cure, dosage, prevent, diagnose, treat, etc.