We've all heard the same sayings when it comes to self-care: Moms need to put on their own oxygen mask first, nobody can fill from an empty cup, everyone deserves some "me" time. And all of that is totally true but sometimes ignores the reality that making time for self-care can be really hard for busy moms, especially those who are in the thick of parenting, trying to figure out how to have time for partners and friends, and balancing the demands of working life or stay-at-home-mom life.
In fact, sometimes the whole idea of self-care can even be guilt-inducing, like it is one more obligation that we have to make time for, somehow, and if we are skipping it, we are doing mom life wrong. And, frankly, a lot of us don't have the time or money for some big spa trip or a weekly massage, so self-care can seem unattainable or out of budget.
But what if we could focus on some surprisingly down-to-earth self-care ideas from an unlikely source — the celebrity mom? Obviously, a lot of celebrities don't have the budget constraints that the rest of us do, but they can be super busy and also trying to balance motherhood and career, just like the rest of us. So read on for some self-care inspiration (and maybe keep saving up for that next massage, too!).
Michelle Obama
Ashley Graham
With twin babies and a preschooler, model Ashley Graham is deep in the busiest season of parenting. Her self-care tip is to do daily affirmations. She explains that she taps into technology to do this. "It's really weird to talk to yourself in the mirror; you have to just get over it. Something that I have done before, if I want to memorize something or get it into my soul, is record it in a voice memo and I'll turn it on and listen to myself. We live in a generation where we’re constantly on our phones making TikTok, Insta Stories, whatever it is — you are talking to yourself in the camera," she said.
"But if you can't talk to yourself in the mirror and say I love you, there's an issue. I do understand that it's awkward to give yourself compliments or be your own hype person. My affirmations are very personal and can be so simple, like 'I love you, I'm bold, I am brilliant, I am beautiful, I am worthy.' Just start with what is the biggest issue in your life."
Jennifer Lopez
Sometimes the most basic things can be self-care, even for the most multitalented, super famous among us. Jennifer Lopez posted this snapshot of her bubble bath moment (including another glimpse of her major engagement ring) with the hashtag #SelfCareSunday. We may not have the jewels, but we can pull off the bubbles, right?
Kate Winslet
Kate Winslet doesn't rely on a fancy personal trainer or cutting-edge, top-secret fitness routine to practice self-care. She, like millions of others, turns to Peloton. "I am in love with my Peloton bike. My family and I all share it, and sometimes fight over it. I found that when I was filming Mare of Easttown, that was almost the one thing I couldn't have gone without, because of the way it helped me decompress," she told Marie Claire. "The sweat factor, the challenge of it, the great chat from the instructors. Sometimes I'd wail, I'd yell, or I'd cry on the bike; I can release so much."
Serena Williams
We all know that we need to take care of our skin, but for tennis great Serena Williams, skin care is also self-care. "I think self-care is very important to prioritize in life. When you make time for yourself, you feel like the best version of you, and that extends into other facets of life. My self-care routine varies — whether I'm trying a new product or staying loyal to my feel-good classics like coconut oil, I always carve out moments to tend to myself and nurture my body," she shared with Elle.
Robin Arzon
Kate Winslet turns to Peloton for self-care, and Peloton's resident mama instructor Robin Arzon would definitely approve. She's known for reminding riders that self-care is not only not selfish but it's sacred — and even if you only get in 10 minutes of movement, it's valuable.
Reese Witherspoon
Reese Witherspoon's self-care routine is so totally doable that we are going to try it today. In a recent Instagram post, she explained that she has four daily habits. She starts the day with "a big glass of water." Then she aims to get at least 10 minutes of outdoor light, preferably morning light. She also devotes 30 to 60 minutes to reading without distraction. And after her long and busy day juggling her mom life and movie mogul life, she makes sure to be in bed by 10 p.m. "No late night TV binges," she urged. "Try to get eight hours of rest."
