By Cherie Gough

You do it all every day: get the kids to school on time, work, shop, check homework, cook nutritious meals, and chauffeur. As moms, our job to care for everyone else can leave little time for ourselves. Yet, making time for ourselves is essential to our health and happiness. Here are some ideas to help inspire you to calendar in some well-deserved me time.

Get Creative — A recent study in The Journal of Positive Psychology showed that time spent creatively builds happiness. Make time to pursue creativity. Follow a long-lost passion or try something new.

Starting a new hobby is easier than ever with online resources. Explore free inspiration on YouTube or join a Skill Share class led by experts in all creative fields. Learn at your own pace while enjoying experts’ engaging stories that make the experience even more enjoyable.

Make something beautiful. Find a sewing, crochet, or crafting class that suits your skill level. Bring along your patience and passion for art.

Level up: create in an inspiring space, like a cozy reading nook or a coffee shop with a scenic view.

Schedule Fun With Friends — Ditch the stress by scheduling regular play dates with your friends. Really. Put it on the calendar. Having strong, supportive friendships has been proven to lower stress and increase lifespan.

Arrange for an affordable spa day with a friend. Get a rejuvenating massage and or pretty pedicure and leave with that just-vacationed glow. Choose a place with clean lines or hip decor to help you forget the clutter at home. Afterwards, relax with a cup of coffee and a chat.

Enjoy the movies in luxury. Sure, there’s a lot to be said about binging Netflix in your jammies. But, indulging in a relaxing, lovely theater with plush reclining seats, enjoying a delicious dinner delivered right to you during the film is a true treat that makes you feel wonderfully pampered.

Here’s to Your Health — You are what you eat. Eating better foods helps create a better mood. Make a habit of a weekly trip to the farmer’s market to browse for produce that looks fresh and inspiring. Don’t forget to buy yourself flowers. 

Instead of take-out food again, try The Fresh 20, a meal planning service that helps make eating healthy a priority for busy families. Each week, clients buy just 20 fresh, seasonal ingredients. The company sends detailed instructions for meal prep and recipes designed with family eating in mind. Plans are based on each family’s dietary priorities, including special diets such as vegan or gluten free.

Use it or lose it. Regular exercise stimulates endorphins and energizes your body and mind. Climb to new heights as you reach beyond limitations toward a new healthy goal—whether it’s the confidence-building thrill of rock wall climbing, the calming practice of yoga, or the fast-paced fun of competitive pickleball. Choose something fun to keep the momentum going.

Get into nature. By engaging the five senses in a park, on a beach, or on a hike, the body and brain feel refreshed and ready to take on new tasks.

Give Back — Though it may seem like just something else to do, recent science shows evidence that volunteering in the community can help us live happier, more productive, and more meaningful lives. When deciding how to give back, consider your passions, skills, and interests.

Don’t know where to start? Let volunteermatch.org help you find the perfect opportunity. Search your skills, interests, and availability and get started with a one-time project or regular opportunity to connect.

Want instant gratification? Look for little ways to perform random acts of kindness on a regular basis. By making someone else smile, you’ll smile with them. Get inspiration at randomactsofkindness.org. 

Cherie Gough is a writer who makes time to enjoy simple pleasures each day.