Happy Hour! Take 60 Minutes for Yourself

As a mom, it can be hard to take time for yourself, but you can’t pour from an empty cup! Self-care can sometimes feel selfish when there are so many demands on your time, but since you are your longest relationship, make sure that you are taking care of yourself, too. Here are some helpful tools for implementing self-love.

Apps

If you need help with self-care, an app can be an effective way to start.

• Calm: Guided meditations are available in 3-25 minutes for a happier, healthier you or a more restful sleep.
• FaceJoy: In eight minutes a day, give yourself a facial boost with specially tailored face yoga courses.
• Happy Not Perfect: Mind Gym: Look after your mind with workouts, affirmations, wind-downs for sleep and more.
• I am: Walk through daily affirmations to change negative thought patterns and choose daily intentions to be reminded of throughout the day.
• Aloe Bud: Choose from 11 self-care related activities, and work toward building accountability by checking in with yourself.

Read

One way to indulge yourself is to bring back a lost love — maybe you used to love reading, but you haven’t had time in a while to curl up with an enjoyable book.

• “The Gratitude Diaries: How a Year Looking on the Bright Side Can Transform Your Life” by Janice Kaplan: Using advice from psychologists, academics, doctors and philosophers, discover the value of appreciating what you have and thinking positively.
• “The Power of Wonder: The Extraordinary Emotion That Will Change the Way You Live, Learn, and Lead” by Monica C. Parker: Learn about the elements of wonder and how it can transform our bodies and our brains with psychology, neuroscience, philosophy, literature and business.
• “Happy Place” by Emily Henry: Bestselling romance author Emily Henry’s latest book follows a couple who broke up months ago but make a pact to pretend to still be together for their annual vacation with their best friends.
• “Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers” by Jesse Q. Sutanto: Explore the genre of cozy mystery with this book about self-proclaimed tea expert Vera Wong who finds a dead man in her tea shop and decides to solve the case herself.
• “Atalanta” by Jennifer Saint: If you love a mythological retelling, read the tale of Princess Atalanta, who is raised by a bear under the protection of the goddess Artemis.

Watch

As time permits, “binge” a great show.

• “Daisy Jones & the Six:” Based on the book by the same name, this Prime Video series depicts the rise of the eponymous rock band in the 1970s.
• “The Last Thing He Told Me:” A women must forge a relationship with her teenage stepdaughter to find her missing husband in this Apple TV+ series based on the book.
• “Shrinking:” On Apple TV+, a grieving therapist tells his clients exactly what he thinks, making huge changes in everyone’s lives.
• “The Morning Show:” This show follows the antics and challenges of a morning news team; available on Apple TV+.
• “Only Murders in the Building:” On Hulu, three strangers bond over their love of true crime podcast and try to solve murders in their building.

Listen

A podcast is an excellent and informative way to learn while doing chores or running errands.

• “Food Heaven Podcast:” Two friends and registered dietitian nutritionists talk to different health and nutrition experts for a look at all aspects of wellness.
• “Moms Don’t Have Time to Read Books:” Get your fix of literature with this podcast exploring tons of different books and genres.
• “Womanica:” In just 5 minutes a day, learn about incredible women throughout history.
• “Stuff Mom Never Told You:” These two hosts talk about what it means to be a woman through research-based discussions.
• “Sentimental Garbage:” This podcast discusses the things women love that are often dismissed by society.