Life has a way of surprising us—not always with joy, as I once expected motherhood would be, but with invisible battles that weigh us down. 

As moms, we often carry these struggles in silence, convincing ourselves that exhaustion and constant stress are just “part of the job.”

But what if those everyday struggles aren’t just part of the chaos of motherhood? What if they’re signals that your whole self—mind, body, and soul—is in a deeper need for care and attention?

Too often, we try to fix one piece at a time: treat the headache, soothe the body pains, or manage the mental stress. Yet without realizing it, we’re only addressing fragments of a much bigger picture.

This is where holistic self-care and learning to care for yourself as a whole changes everything.

Why Caring For Parts Isn’t Enough 

When I became a mother for the first time, I was thrown into an emotional rollercoaster I never saw coming. No one warned me about the silent struggles of postpartum, so I thought this was just a phase.

I rested when I was tired, went out for a walk when I was feeling bored, and distracted myself with movies when I felt down. It seemed to help, at least, that’s what I told myself.

As the days turned into months, more challenges in my life kept surfacing, all taking a toll on my mental health and emotional well-being. The little things I did to feel better weren’t enough to lift the heaviness anymore.

I was going through the motions without realizing that my emotions were quietly affecting every aspect of my life. I was becoming distant, easily triggered, and most painfully, I couldn’t truly be present with my kids when they needed me most.

The 4 Pillars of Holistic Self-Care

I couldn’t help but worry about how my struggles were affecting my relationship with my kids, and how my misery, stress, and constant mood swings might shape their childhood. 

I felt a heavy responsibility to do better, to be better. I realized that to be the mother they deserved—and the person I wanted to be—I first had to care for myself as a whole.

Step by step, I began setting intentional goals for my physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being, learning that nurturing myself was the first step toward truly nurturing them.

I didn’t realize it at the time, but I was already taking steps toward holistic health. 

Holistic health sees the body as a complete system where every part of you matters. Your physical energy, your thoughts, your emotions, and even your spirit are all connected, each shaping your overall well-being. 

It hit me that caring for one part of myself wasn’t enough. To truly thrive, I needed to nurture my mind, body, and soul together.

These steps can serve as a guide for your own journey of self-care for moms:

Physical Well-being:

• Committing to regular exercise, incorporating daily walks, running, and home workouts to enhance my physical health.
• Maintaining a balanced, nutritious diet by choosing healthier food options.
• Prioritizing sleep by setting a consistent bedtime, recognizing its importance for overall health.

Mental Well-being:

• Incorporating mindfulness practices, such as journaling, spending time in nature, or dedicating moments for self-reflection.
• Engaging the brain through reading, learning new skills, and taking online courses.
• Establishing healthy boundaries to manage stress and prevent mental exhaustion—a key step in nurturing a healthier mindset.

Emotional Well-being:

• Allowing myself to feel and process emotions without judgment, using journaling as a therapeutic outlet.
• Building a support system and maintaining open communication with loved ones.
• Learning to set realistic expectations and practice self-compassion, embracing imperfections, and understanding that it’s okay not to be perfect.

Spiritual Well-being:

• Exploring my spiritual side through prayer, meditation, or connecting with nature to find inner peace.
• Practicing gratitude and self-reflection regularly.
• Incorporating mindfulness exercises and meditation to enrich my spiritual journey.

By setting goals in each of these four areas—physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual—I started a holistic self-care journey, addressing different aspects of my well-being as a mother. 

This balanced approach not only nurtured my personal growth but also strengthened my ability to care for and support my family.

It has been over a year into this transformative journey, and I find myself in a significantly better place. I’m learning to let go of negative thoughts, pay closer attention to my feelings, and focus on becoming a better version of myself. 

Of course, I’m far from perfect, and some days are tough, but what matters to me is that I’m still on this journey. I celebrate my progress and commit to living a life filled with purpose and happiness, for both myself and my children.

Caring for Yourself as a Whole Changes Everything

Life’s journey is like a brief stop at a train station—our time is limited, and every moment matters. By committing to holistic self-care, we not only become our best selves, but we also show up more fully for the people we love. 

Caring for ourselves—mind, body, emotions, and spirit—helps us grow into the people we aspire to be while inspiring those around us to do the same. 

Start today: take one intentional step toward holistic self-care, and watch how it transforms your life and the lives of those you cherish.

🩵 If this spoke to your heart, send it to a fellow mom who might need to hear this, too.

And if you’re a first-time mom feeling overwhelmed, lost, or just in need of a little guidance, I created something just for you.

✨ More Than Just a Mom is a gentle self-care resource journal filled with simple, healing prompts to help you reconnect with yourself, because your needs matter too.

Get your copy of More than just mom here.