What do you do for self care?

[ABubbles]

I have a 5 week old and 4 year old. My mental health has not been amazing the last few years (lost my mum to a horrible disease, house moving, covid trauma, work overload, birth trauma during my pregnancy and just general life stuff). I have no real support other than that of my husband. I have the odd mum friend but no family nearby and so we definitely don’t have a village.
I feel like I use to have loads of interests but I literally do nothing for myself anymore. Nothing. I barely even have a shower without a small human staring at me. I am so bad at self care, I don’t even know what it looks like or how to do it. But I’ve got to a point where mental health is not great and I know I need to look after myself a bit more to be the best mummy I can.

so, what does self care look like for you? Ideas on what one can do as a mum who has a breastfeeding newborn and 4 yo?

It’s tough! At that age with the newborn even a nice bath being undisturbed and painting nails etc feels good.

Therapy - if you could you afford it/ get someone to babysit for 50 mins, I find it is much more effective than manicures etc

Although nothing wrong with any kind of self care! Just sounds like you have been through a great deal. I also like to just rest and listen to a podcast, Anna Mathur is great if I am struggling. Best wishes x

2.5yr old and 12 wk old and ebf here. You’re doing fab, and will shower alone soon! Things I have done recently as very small acts of self care:
Bought some posher products for the shower and some nice body/hand cream for after
Chose a new polish and painted my toes nails
Bought some nice hair bobbles (just always have my hair up so got some better ones!)
I have a ‘fake’ g&t most evenings which is just tonic water but with ice and lemon and some fruit in and it feels like a treat rather than just drinking water from a sports bottle all the time. Sometimes I put gin in it too of course!
Added a posh bar of chocolate to the weekly shop and have a small piece every evening
On days when it’s just me and the newborn, take a walk and take a book. Stop for a coffee and if the baby sleeps read the book! (Doesn’t always work)
Listening to audio books and walking the baby, and getting a take away coffee is also good
Started going to a fitness class where I can bring the baby.

Can you start the cough to 5k? If there is another adult in the house, I used to head out at about 6.15 am and enjoy the beautiful mornings - only out for 30-40 minutes, but it was time for me to listen to music, podcasts etc. I loved it

Couch

Or just walk. Get out and go for a walk by yourself every day (again assuming there is an adult to keep an eye). Make it a routine