Single Moms, It’s Okay to Take Care of Yourself

Of all the people the pandemic hit hard, single mothers had the toughest row to hoe. They had to single-handedly raise and homeschool their children while bringing home the bacon, sometimes working more than one job. They managed to do the impossible.  

However, all that taking care of business can leave you gasping for air. You can’t pour from an empty pitcher, and you might be running around with your spout nearly fully clogged. Single moms, it’s okay to take care of yourself — here’s why and how.  

Benefits of a Self-Care Routine  

Let’s examine a few reasons you need to practice self-care as a single mom.  

1. It Improves Your Immune Response

Everything you put in your body affects your physiology for better or worse. Living on fast-food takeout while you manage your various duties can adversely affect your health over time, leading to weight gain and even Type 2 diabetes.   

Conversely, sitting down to a healthy fish dinner high in omega-3 fatty acids gives your brain the nutrients it needs to stay on top of your juggling act. Add a salad filled with veggies in various hues for phytonutrients and antioxidants that help you battle germs.  

2. It Helps Regulate Your Emotions

People talk about how exercise improves physical health all the time, but few people invest as much preventative maintenance in their mental well-being. However, you need your brain to perform your work duties — including interacting positively with those you met.  

How many times have you made an unwise decision or said something potentially damaging to your career when tired? Taking time for self-care helps you regulate your impulsivity, preventing momentary actions from becoming long-term problems.   

3. It Makes You a Better Parent  

Likewise, who hasn’t snapped at their little one when irritated or exhausted? Parenting takes patience, something you lack when you don’t take care of yourself.  

8 Ways to Take Care of Yourself as a Single Mom  

What should you do to indulge your spirit? Here are eight ways to take care of yourself as a single mom that don’t cost much money.  

1. Cook a Luxurious Meal

Eating your child’s leftover macaroni and cheese is hardly nourishing or indulgent. Once per week, break out the good stemware, pour a glass of wine and cook yourself a meal that isn’t kid-tested. Your adult palate will thank you for remembering what risotto tastes like washed down with a glass of sauvignon blanc.  

2. Indulge in a Hobby

You give out little pieces of yourself to your children and colleagues all day. Hobbies are your time to indulge your passions — add a few slots to your weekly planner for doing what you love.  

You might even transform your pastime into a way to make extra cash, but don’t trap yourself in yet another rat race. It’s one thing to open an Etsy shop and sell the occasional homemade craft. It’s quite another to commit yourself to a pile of orders.  

3. Set an Adult Date

You can only use words like “ouchie” and “boo-boo” so often without wanting to lose your mind. Children won’t magically cure loneliness — you need someone you can connect with at your level.  

Keep date night sacred if you’re on the scene. If you prefer staying solo, set an adult “play date” once per week. If nothing else, meeting up with other mom-friends at the playground provides needed space to commiserate and vent.  

4. Zone Out

Being a single mom means having your on-switch powered up at all times. You have to remain alert to potential threats to your little one even when you aren’t on the clock.  

Give your brain a break. Schedule downtime for doing nothing else but binge-watching a favorite show or aimlessly scrolling through social media. Even a few minutes each day of mindless activity can help you regain focus.  

5. Give Yourself a Foot Massage

A professional massage can cost a pretty penny. Fortunately, you can ease the pain that ails you with a little foot reflexology. It feels heavenly to treat your tootsies after a long day while activating pressure points to ease digestion and tension headaches.  

6. Spend Some Time Outdoors

Getting outside is an instant mood booster. The sunlight helps your body produce natural vitamin C and feels heavenly against your skin. Why not take your little one to the park? You’ll both benefit from the extra exercise and positive vibes.  

7. Take a Mental Health Afternoon

If you can’t justify losing a full day’s wages to care for your mental health, can you sneak away from work a few hours early on a Friday? Take a mental health afternoon to browse that art gallery you’ve wanted to see or simply manage your meal prep without rushing.  

8. Relax in a Bubble Bath

End your day on a positive note of self-care. The heat from the water helps melt away any stress you might feel before turning in for the night. Wait until your little ones are asleep and indulge, perhaps disappearing for a full 30 minutes with a novel.  

Single Moms, Take Care of Yourself  

The pandemic brought the tough life of single mothers into stark relief. You need to take care of yourself if you want to effectively raise your kids. Now that you understand the benefits, you can indulge yourself as a single mom in one of the above eight ways.