Moms get busy. This is no secret. Of course, we put our families first, but are we taking care of ourselves throughout the day too? Taking a break won't get you off track. And there is no reason to feel guilty when you focus on yourself. I partnered with your new favorite snack, Café Breaks, to share 15 easy ways to take 15 minutes to focus on yourself . 
These breaks don't have to be elaborate. They're just supposed to make you happy and feel like the gal you were before you had a kids. Sometimes we forget about what truly makes us happy, as individuals, because we don't think we have time for it. But it's important to make the time. Of course, this gets easier as your kids get older. If you have toddlers, some of these may not be feasible. My kids are in 2nd and 5th grade and it's AMAZING! Plus I think it's super important for you to show your kids that you value yourself and your interests and that each family member is no more important than another. 
1. Read a book. While you won't get through much of it in 15 minutes, it will allow your brain to forget about the stresses of the day. I used to think I could only read on airplanes, when not traveling with my kids. But now I don't believe that. You can read during the day or read at the same times as your kids during homework time. The books don't have to be all brainy either. Sometimes the easy readers are exactly what you need!
2. Make some infused water. Although I start my day with coffee, I move on to water right after. But that can get boring. Take 15 minutes to prepare an infused water recipe. It takes almost no time at all but is such a treat! Flavored water is my jam.
3. Get out of the house and grab a drink. You can make your own cup of coffee. Duh. But a cup of coffee made by someone else, for you, tastes SO much better. Or pick up your favorite iced tea! Or try something new. This shouldn't be a trek to some far off location. Just pop over to your neighborhood spot to grab a drink. It can totally lift your mood. Save the big excursions for your next coffee date with the girls. 
4. Play your favorite game on the iPad. A good game of Candy Crush is good for the soul. But I have to admit that since I'm at a high level now, and it's harder to level up. I had to download Candy Crush Soda Saga and Candy Crush Jelly Saga so I can actually play for a while. Or solitaire. I love me some solitaire.
5. Make a playlist. For me, music makes the world go around. I often find that I create playlists when I have tons of other things to do. But that's ok. It makes me happy. I use Spotify and it's super easy. I make them for all types of moods and then listen to them when I'm working, driving and cooking dinner.
6. Take a walk. Sometimes you just need to refresh yourself and get outside for a second. I'm not talking about exercise. Ew. Take a scenic walk, listen to some tunes, look around. Just get out of the house. Even a quick walk around the block is good enough. The fresh air will do you good and is a great way to focus on yourself. 
7. Write something. Write in a journal or make a list of ideas of creative projects you want to tackle. I don't personally have a journal. No wait, I have a blog! But I do like to write down things I've been thinking about whether it's an idea for a craft or recipe. I can't even tell you how gratifying it is to create a Target list! Maybe even make a bucket list!
8. Make an essential oil blend. I don't know if you are in to the oils, but I totally am. While I believe they help with certain things like falling asleep and stomach aches, etc. I also just love how they smell! Put a little lavender in your diffuser and you'd swear you just walked in to a spa. OK, that might be an overstatement but taking a few minutes to make a blend that will brighten your mood is a great idea!
9. Swap out photos in your frames. I love the photos I have up around my house. But most are very old and we've taken so many amazing photos since those were framed. Taking a few minutes to sort through photos on your computer, or that you've already had printed is really fun. It's a quick walk down memory lane. Then when they arrive (because no one GOES somewhere to print pictures anymore) you can put them in your frames and your whole family will love it!
10. Curl your hair. Or straighten it. Do whatever style you never have enough time to do in the morning. I get up at quarter to 6 every day so there's no chance I'm getting up any earlier just to do my hair. Getting the kids off to school is the focus, my hair is not. But some days I like to try to at least look a little more presentable at pick up. Taking 15 minutes to make your hair cute does wonders for your overall outlook. At least it does for me anyway.
11. Read a magazine. I have always been an avid reader but now they just stack up in my kitchen until they form a leaning tower. There's always something I think that I should do instead of flip through a magazine. So when I actually do, it's extra special. You can easily get through a magazine in 15 minutes, especially if it's a design magazine. Doing this is in the middle of the day is so freeing!
12. Pour a glass of wine. (When it's time-of-day-appropriate. I'd say no mimosas prior to 9 am…) You deserve it! A glass of wine while preparing dinner is amazing. And something I almost never do! I'm not suggesting you get hammered (but that's totally up to you, I don't really judge). I've also found that a nice glass of wine makes laundry folding a little easier to swallow.
13. Paint your nails. In an effort to save money, I've stopped getting regular pedicures. Tear. So my toes can end up looking like a hot mess. But taking the time to repaint them makes me feel a little more put together. I never attempt to create any nail art looks but a simple swipe of a trendy color is sometimes just what the doctor ordered.
14. Watch TV. Get caught up on your favorite TV show or watch part of a documentary! (This will run longer than 15 minutes. 15 minutes can turn in to a 36 hour binge REAL quick. Use caution). TV is my happy place. It's my favorite way to wind down at night and an absolute treat to watch in the middle of the day! 
15. Take a snack break. Next time you're at the store, pick up a treat for yourself that you haven't tried before. It doesn't have to be super sinful and a billion calories. It could even be some exotic fruit you've been wanting to try. For me, anything that is mocha flavored (which means chocolate and coffee!) is something I need to try. These Café Breaks pudding snacks are perfect! This little treat won't break the bank or your waistline. They're gluten-free and 100 calories or less per cup and made with real milk. Awesome. 
I added a few roasted almonds to mine because I love a little crunch in my pudding. These delicious pudding snacks can be found at your local Ralphs grocery store (look for them by the unrefrigerated pudding in the snack aisle). But if mocha isn't your thing, these Café Breaks puddings comes in several other delicious coffee focused flavors like Caramel Latte, Chai Latte, and French Vanilla Latte. Yum! These are also great to grab and go whether you are running errands or taking the kids to soccer practice.
These 15 activities are the perfect way to focus on yourself a little more without totally getting off your daily grind. Hopefully you'll feel refreshed and ready to tackle your next big project. Cafe Breaks wants you to know that you deserve a treat and I couldn't agree more.
Thank you for supporting the brands, like Café Breaks, who sponsor posts and let me show you ways to treat yo'self.
If you liked this post, you may also like:
How to Get a Presidential Greeting
Leave a Reply