14 Mamas Share Their Best Self Love Rituals

While being a Mama might be the most rewarding job, it is certainly not the easiest. As a Mama you are continuously putting your little one's needs first and it becomes very easy to neglect your own.

This valentines day we want to remind every Mama out there that although all your input often goes under-appreciated, it is not under-valued. You work hard, and it's okay to take some me-time, in fact, it is necessary.

We reached out to some amazing Mamas in our Yoga Mamas Community who have to balance their work-life with their home-life to find out what they do to add a little self-care into their routines.

We hope these will inspire to find ways to relax and recharge whenever you get the opportunity.

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Danielle Hulan,
​Psychotherapist

Photos ​by Terri Iwaskow

I take a bath. There are of course, two versions:
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1. The Perfect Bath
I scrub the bathtub. Then, I bring in my favourite drink, lock the door, light a candle, and turn on music. I love starting with a face mask, and then laying in a foamy bath of epsom salts and essential oils. I might shave my long overdue legs (or not!). Sugar scrub exfoliation, a hot shower rinse, and a head to toe creamy natural body butter to finish. I use as much time as I have, and try to move slowly through each process. I end up feeling refreshed AND productive (clean bathtub!).

2. The Imperfect Bath
I turn on the bath water. Then, I get in. I end up feeling relaxed.
Self-care isn't always pretty, or easy. And it doesn't have to be perfect. For me, the imperfect self-care is often more realistic and more loving because, it actually happens!

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Lina Maria Jiménez
Holistic Lifestyle and Movement Coach

Having a 3 week old and a 3 year old doesn't leave much time for mama, but my little self-care routine consists on looking away from house work and allowing myself to be ok with it ;) and instead finding a little bit of time with or without baby to move and stretch, specially my back, neck, wrist and calves whether it's 5 mins or 15 it helps me get through the day and I know it has been great help with  my postpartum recovery.

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Cyndi Carleton,
​Fun With Music

Even writing about my self love is a great reminder to keep up the self love! As a busy self employed mom that has an ever-changing schedule, I sometimes find it hard to plan some of the big self love activities like a massage or a pedicure. I try to be mindful about adding in a small bit of daily self love (or almost daily!) that can really make a difference. So if I have a meeting at the Distillery, I make sure I have enough time to grab a hot chocolate from Soma. Daily self love - check!

If I'm working close to home, I will add in a bit of extra time to walk instead of taking the car, to spend some time with myself. Check, check! And if I can find even an hour to spend with a friend it is a great reminder of my self outside of being a mom. Check, check, check!  I truly cherish the little things - it can make a huge difference in a busy life.

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Trisha Enriquez,
​@notummymommy

My self-care rituals continue to evolve, but the purpose always remains the same: to support me being a healthier, happier and more present mama when I am home with my family. I try not to complicate things when it comes to taking some much-needed ME time - sometimes it's simply taking a few moments to write in my journal or taking a short walk to grab a coffee on my own. I know I always come back refreshed and ready to take on whatever the Universe has coming my way!

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Shannon VanderDoelen,
​Naturopathic Doctor

With the arrival of my baby girl in January, self-care has taken on a whole new meaning for me. Instead of booking a massage, meditating, or sitting down with a cup of hot coffee and a book (which, side note: will I ever again be able to drink a cup of coffee while it's still hot?!), self-care now looks like drinking a glass of water when I'm thirsty, some quick stretching for my achy body, or taking a very short but very hot shower.

What I know for sure is that self-care is so critical to being a good mama whether you are pregnant, 2 weeks into this mama thing, or 20 years in, and that it's going to wax and wane and change with time. I'm excited for self-care to start to include a weekly yoga class at TYM with babe, reconnecting with my girlfriends, or simply drinking a cup of hot coffee. ​

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Amada Mizen 
North Medical Spa

Travel provides a time out and space for reflection. I feel loved when I’m able to escape! ​

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Jesse Lane,
Holistic Nutritionist

As a holistic nutritionist, my favourite self love ritual is eating healthy and delicious food. I love to fuel myself with nutrient dense food so I have the energy to chase after my little one. Since cooking with a toddler hanging off your leg or taking everything out of the cupboards is not easy, I like to make quick and easy snacks that I can grab right out of the freezer or throw together in minutes.

​My favourites are fat balls and smoothies because you can pack them with superfoods  and they are fast to make.

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Tabitha Vallierie
Fit-City Guide

Self-care for me is all about taking time to do things I would have loved doing before my favourite mini-human came onto this planet. I am a firm believer that I’m a better mum, better partner, friend, daughter, etc. if I fill my own cup and I, nor should anyone else,  feel guilty about that.

The way I incorporate that in my daily life can change but I’m a sucker for routine so it often looks like going for a run, having the most epic morning and night rituals that make me feel like I’m at a spa EVERY DAMN DAY, scheduling time in our family calendar (#praise Outlook) so I can go to a group workout class, meet friends for a glass of bubbly, or go to a coffee shop to work.

​Whatever I can do to inject moments into my day that are just for me is a tiny slice of heaven, and then it somehow fuels my energy reserve to give so much more to the ones I love. Funny how that works, right?!

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Reena Sud, 
@mamalifestyles

What I find challenging about self love rituals is convincing myself that I actually have time for it. Over the years I’ve learned that taking the time to care for yourself reflects on the energy you exude towards your kids (+family). Sometimes it’s impossible to leave the house solo if you don’t have help with the kids.

​I’ve (finally) started practicing a simple 20 minute yoga routine at home as my day to day self care ritual (thank goodness for apps!). It’s truly therapy (physically & mentally) at the end of my day to wind down and zone out with a killer playlist in the background! When leaving the house solo IS an option, my go to escapes are a Yoga Mamas class, a coffee run, or a dinner date with my other half!

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Amanda Thompson
@​amanda.c.thomson

My favourite self love ritual is to put on some music (90’s hip hop or old school punk), have a steaming hot shower, you know the ones that take forever where you are exfoliating and singing and just being in a steamy cocoon of happiness. Throw on the sweater I’ve had for 10 years and refuse to give up and cuddle with my girls (one human, two fur babies) and my man. I don’t worry about the laundry, the house or anything else. We watch horror movies and drink wine.

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Chelsea Sousa,
Babies and Lattes

As a busy mama, my self love ritual literally changes every day, every week & it is all truly dependent on what I feel my body/mind needs. My new favourite (since my kiddies are somewhat sleeping through the night) is to set my alarm and wake 30mins before my babes.

​This gives me time to drink my coffee, set my intentions for the day, write my to-do list, watch TV, do laundry, read a book... literally whatever I want, guilt free.  It’s the perfect way to start my day.

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Wendy Churton
This Bumpy Adventure

Photo by
@michelecrockettphotography

Self-love can look different for everyone, and I think it's important to acknowledge the mental health component of self-care as well as the physical. For me, I find that scheduling my time around work and play is the best way for me to ensure I get enough of what I need and stay balanced. Being a freelancer with two kids under 4 can be challenging, but doesn't have to be a struggle. I set aside work time for me, play time with the kids, home-time for household tasks and tidying, and me-time, which, let's be honest, usually lands after bedtime.

Sometimes these windows are only 30 minutes at a time. It's important to fully dedicate yourself to those windows of time, too - during play time, I put my laptop and phone away and immerse myself into playtime with my children.

​When I'm working, I can encourage independent play in my kids, take advance of nap times, or use local resources like The Workaround (@the.workaround), a co-working space with childcare. Scheduling my time has been key to accomplishing my day-to-day tasks and taking care of myself and my family.

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Janet Hill,
​Community Manager at Yoga Mamas

I keep myself very busy, and that's why I turn it all the way down to show myself love by eliminating distractions and practicing mindfulness.  My way is through my yoga practice. Whether it is 20 minutes at home or taking a class at a studio, I honour my health and cultivate a strong connection to the present moment, which in turn helps me be my best self off the mat. 

​I carry my gratitude with me and channel that unselfish love into every aspect of being a mum to my daughter.  Showing motherly love is so perfectly natural to me, and it doesn't end with my children!  She sees me taking care of myself and taking care of others.  Each time I dedicate some time to practice, I am grateful and I become more resilient