5 Self-Care Habits for Busy Moms (That Take Less Than 10 Minutes)

5/4/20253 min read

Welcome to Ivy March. We don’t do martyrdom here. We do meaning. We do moms who remember that the most powerful thing they can do for their families is take care of the woman holding it all together. So if you’re a mama who’s running on fumes, calendar reminders, and lukewarm coffee, this one’s for you.

Let me be real for a second: self-care doesn’t always look like spa days or yoga retreats. Sometimes, it looks like hiding in your closet with a protein bar and 10 minutes of silence. Other times, it’s choosing a body butter that makes you feel rich—even if your toddler just wiped jelly on your leggings.

But those 10 minutes? They matter. A lot.

So I created a quick list of 5 self-care habits for busy moms that take less than 10 minutes, are low-lift, and feel like something real women actually have time to do. Because you deserve small joys that don’t require a babysitter or a mood board.

1. Get Dressed for You (Yes, You.)

You know that pair of leggings that snatches everything in, stays up all day, and makes you feel like you could go to Pilates (even if you don’t)? Put those on.

I call this micro habit "getting dressed with intention."

I love these high-waisted active Reebok leggings WITH pockets from Walmart. They’re soft, durable, and live in the sweet spot between affordable and flattering. Pair it with a simple fitted white tee and boom—you’re not just a mom, you’re a whole vibe.

And yes, throw on that ball cap with your statement sunglasses. It’s giving casual luxury.

Quick Tip: Lay your outfit out the night before. Even if you're just taking your kid to daycare, you get to feel like you in the mirror.

2. Lather. Slather. Breathe.

After your shower (or if we're being real, that 3-minute rinse-off), take a minute to massage in a good body butter. Not the dollar-store lotion that evaporates before you leave the bathroom. I'm talking rich, creamy, say-my-name levels of hydration.

Here are my top two picks:

It’s a little thing, but the scent alone can shift your mood.

Quick Tip: Keep one in your bathroom and one in your car. Slather, breathe deep, reset.

3. Diffuse the Drama (with Oils)

You’ve got 10 minutes? Let’s make them smell like peace.

Essential oils are more than trendy. The right blend can make your living room feel like a sanctuary—even if Cocomelon is playing in the background.

The Mayjam 35-pack of Essential Oils is a gem. Affordable, high-quality, and has all the scents you need to mix your mood.

Try these custom 3-drop blends:

  • For Calm: Lavender + Eucalyptus + Chamomile

  • For Focus: Peppermint + Rosemary + Lemon

  • For Energy: Orange + Grapefruit + Bergamot

Quick Tip: Add a few drops to your shower floor in the morning and let the steam turn your shower into an aromatherapy spa.

4. Flip Through a Better Day (with a Planner)

You can be the woman who writes her goals down and still has spit-up on her shirt. Both things can be true.

The Clever Fox Daily Planner (2nd Edition) is my go-to. It doesn’t just organize your day—it reframes it.

You get space for:

  • Morning gratitude

  • Daily goals

  • Hourly breakdowns

  • Meal & water tracking

  • Evening reflection

  • Habit tracking

And it’s undated, so no pressure if you skip a day (or a week—been there).

Quick Tip: Open your planner while your coffee brews. Set one goal, write one gratitude. That’s it.

5. Reclaim the First 10 Minutes of the Day

Before the scroll. Before the chaos. Before your name gets called 17 times before 7 a.m.

Steal back the first 10 minutes of your day. It’s yours.

You don’t need to journal for an hour or meditate on a mountaintop. You can just sit on the couch with your coffee and breathe. Pray. Listen to music. Stretch. Open a window. It doesn’t have to be performative—just present.

Quick Tip: Put your phone on airplane mode before bed. Don’t turn it off until after your 10-minute reset.

Final Thoughts

Mama, this life we’re building isn’t just about surviving the day. It’s about remembering that you get to live in it too.

These five small habits might not change the world overnight, but they will absolutely shift how you feel in it. They’ll make you feel more you. And when you feel more you, everything else flows better.

So grab your planner, pull on your favorite leggings, rub on that body butter, and remember: 10 minutes a day can be the difference between burnt out and beautifully balanced.

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