This post is in collaboration with Smile Brilliant. I received a complimentary at-home teeth whitening kit in exchange for my review, but as always, all opinions stated are my own. Be sure to enter the giveaway at the end of this post!
Being a mama is one of the best callings in the world, but also one of the most challenging callings. Can I get an amen? I’ve been a mama for just over 4 years now and in the whirlwind of diaper changes, preparing meals and snacks, and laundry I often find myself forgetting how important it is to take care of myself so that I can better love, serve, and engage with my family and those in my sphere of influence. I’m not sure why it’s so easy for us as mamas to push taking care of ourselves to the back burner, but goodness friend. Can I just remind you that taking care of yourself is oh so important.
Since I stay at home with the girls and having complete alone time isn’t always possible (or really let’s be honest rarely possible), I have been trying to think of simple ways to establish rhythms of self care time at home while the girls are present. It’s amazing how a simple perspective shift and a few out of the box tools can make such a difference. Maybe you’re in a similar spot and are in need of a few fresh ideas for how to take care of yourself without leaving your home. I’m so excited to share with you my 5 Favorite At Home Self Care Ideas for Mamas.
PS: Be sure to enter the amazing GIVEAWAY at the end of this post!
My 5 Favorite At Home Self Care Ideas for Mamas:
1. Add a Pop of Color to Your Kitchen with Fresh Flowers
A few years ago a wise mentor told me that when she was a young mama, she would always look to find the little things that brought her joy and would brighten her day. One of the things she truly loved was the beauty that fresh flowers would bring to her home. So a couple of times a month she would buy a fresh bouquet of flowers for herself just because.
This story really stuck with me and after our coffee date I went out and bought myself a gorgeous bouquet of bright pink flowers. I snapped this photo that day as a reminder of the joy and delight these blooms brought to our home. To this day one of my favorite things is to have fresh flowers sitting on our kitchen island. It’s so simple, but I love the reminder of beauty in the mess and chaos of our ordinary days. I encourage you to give it a try!
2. Go For a Walk & Listen to a Podcast
A couple of times a week I load the girls up in our stroller and turn on a podcast. It’s quickly become one of my favorite times because it allows us to get outside and it gives me a chance to learn something new or be encouraged and inspired. Quick tip: Bring a snack or small toy for your kiddos to keep them occupied while you are strolling along.
Some of my current favorite podcasts are:
3. Learn A New Skill
Do you want to learn how to take great photos of your kids? Maybe you’re interested in mastering how to decorate a cake, the basics of calligraphy, or how to create stunning floral arrangements. One thing I love about technology is that there are so many great places to learn new skills. In fact, a few years ago I had no clue how to use a camera or design in Illustrator and through amazing online resources like Atly I have been able to learn so many things!
4. Move Your Body
Working out is an instant mood booster and in my opinion one of the best forms of self care. I don’t always get a workout in, but when I do I am a much happier and patient mama. Plus, there are so many great programs out there that you can do right in your living room. Two of my all time favorites are Pure Barre on Demand and PIYO. What workout program do YOU love?
5. Brighten Your Beautiful Smile
There is something so powerful about a smile, isn’t there? I have never really thought about teeth whitening as a self care tool, but it has honestly become one of my favorite out of the box ways to have some me time! When I was contacted by Smile Brilliant to try out their at home whitening kit I was really thrilled, but definitely a little skeptical. As a busy mama I know that it’s not always realistic to spend hours and hours doing something for yourself, so while I loved the idea of brightening my smile I wasn’t sure if it would be possible while chasing around two kiddos.
I’m so excited to report that not only does Smile Brilliant work wonders, it’s the perfect solution for mamas who want professional strength teeth whitening right in the comfort of their home. When I first received the box, I was blown away by how easy it was! The first step is to follow the included instructions to create your custom impressions. Once you create the molds you send them back to Smile Brilliant in the included envelope so they can create your custom trays and get started with your whitening.
I absolutely LOVE that the trays are custom made for your teeth, so they don’t slide off or fall off like the annoying strips do. This was honestly one of the huge selling points for me because I can still talk to my husband, pretend and play with the girls, and do the normal things I do as a mama all while whitening my teeth.
Smile Brilliant makes the process of whitening your teeth very simple and it has quickly become a part of my nightly self care routine. For each whitening session you apply the whitening gel to your custom trays and wear them for 45 minutes to 3 hours. To make sure I didn’t experience any sensitivity, I gradually wore my trays longer and longer each time. I found that the perfect time for me to put my trays on was while the girls were getting ready for bed and brushing their teeth. That way when they were all tucked into bed I could finish up any housework, curl up with a book, or watch a show with my hubby as I was whitening my teeth. It’s seriously the best way to end the day!
After you have completed the whitening application you brush your teeth with toothpaste as you normally would and then apply the desensitizing gel for 15-20 minutes. Easy peasy! I am so happy with the results of only 6 whitening sessions and I can’t wait to continue the process as needed in the months to come.
Here’s the exciting part. Since I truly believe that this is the BEST self care gift for mamas, I want you to be able to try it out too. My amazing friends at Smile Brilliant are giving away a $139 Smile Brilliant Gift Card to one lucky reader!
You can enter the giveaway HERE
(Giveaway runs from December 1st-15th. Winner will be contacted by Smile Brilliant. The giveaway is open to USA, UK, Australia and Canada residents.)
They are also offering a discount just for you that can be used at anytime! Use the code thelittlesandme15 for $15 off your custom trays.
So what do you think, friend? Were you able to get some new ideas for self care? Which idea are you excited to try? I truly hope that this list was helpful for you and that you’ll take the time to fill up your cup because you are truly worth it. You’re amazing, mama!
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Where can I find the “Be Fully Present” printable?? I absolutely LOVE that!
Hey Emily! You can find it in the Mama Encouragement Library. You can subscribe here: https://thelittlesandme.com/subscribe/ or if you’ve already subscribed you can scroll down to the bottom of that page and there’s a link that will take you to the page where you can enter the password.