For about a year, most of the gifts that my husband gave me came in the form of a gift certificate to Hand & Stone Massage Spa. "I knew you wouldn't book an appointment yourself," he'd tell me. And he was absolutely right. As far as self-care was concerned, I wasn't the best.
When you have a kid, a lot of the things you used to care about fall by the wayside. Sometimes, change can be healthy. For example, I no longer spend a half-hour straightening/burning my hair to a crisp every morning, since my toddler depends on me to make her breakfast . Other times, change is not such a good thing. For instance, I refused to see a movie in the theaters for a long time after my daughter was born , in the 1% chance something would happen while my phone was on silent mode. I knew my husband was smart and capable, but I couldn't turn off my parental panic.
As time progressed, I realized that by playing the selfless hero to my family, I wasn't doing anyone any favors. I was so worn out balancing work and motherhood that I forgot what a moment to myself looked like. I was frazzled and tired, forgetting to take the time for me. Those of you who play the Sims video game are probably aware of "needs bars." When I thought about myself, I visualized it in those terms. My "social" and "energy" bars were both in the red.
If there's any advice I have for a new mom, it's this. Prioritize yourself. Remind yourself that you need and deserve a break. It's often easier said than done, which is why some of the best self-care should happen at home. At least, until your new family settles and you feel better about spending time away. Here are 15 essentials that'll help you feel much more zen in 2020.
Nonslip Bath Pillow
A bath pillow was one of my very first self-care purchases. You deserve to relax when you're in the tub, and this is one of the most inexpensive ways of doing so. If you really want to get the most out of this gift, have your partner clean the bathtub before you use it. You've done enough today as-is.
Shop Now: Nonslip Bath Pillow ($34.95, Amazon)
Massaging Foot Bath
This is one of those purchases that you need but feel weird buying for yourself. Why? As a new mom, you're on your feet all day. And trust me, it'll get a lot worse when they start walking and running.
Shop Now: Massaging Foot Spa ($64.99, Amazon)
Noise-Canceling Headphones
One of the tough things about motherhood is that even when we're sharing the responsibilities with our partner and not "on the clock," we're still on the clock. There isn't a mother out there who can easily ignore a crying baby who's in the midst of a sleep regression. Trust that your partner can handle it and invest in these noise-canceling headphones to make things easier.
Shop Now: Audio-Technica Noise-Canceling Headphones ($49, Best Buy)
Yoga Mat
Listen — after you give birth, don't force yourself to exercise. The most important thing to do right now is to heal. You'll also want to prioritize sleeping and taking in those early newborn moments. When the time comes, start with an exercise that'll give you body awareness and help ease your mind, like yoga. Start out slow, and do it for yourself.
Shop Now: Sun and Moon Reversible Yoga Mat ($34.98, Gaiam)
Water Bottle
Hydration is incredibly important, especially if you're breastfeeding. Why not do it in style? This water bottle will stay cold for a long time and serve as your new best friend.
Shop Now: S'Well Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle ($34.95, Amazon)
Moisturizing Face Masks
Sheet masks are the ultimate perfect gift, since they can be easily applied and removed anywhere. This set of 12 from Celavi is a perfect treat that will also help you relax and brighten your skin.
Shop Now: Celavi Collagen Face Masks ($9.99, Amazon)
Meditation Cushion
It's nowhere near as big or comfortable as a chair, but it's the perfect item to help set up a meditation nook. Trust me. When you're trying to deal with a fussy toddler who has just learned what the word "no" means, you'll be quite happy that you learned to calm yourself by breathing.
Shop Now: Large Meditation Cushion ($30.99, Amazon)
CBJ Well Journal
You might not have time for much these days, but hopefully, you at least have a few moments to jot down how you feel. This Well Journal will help you track your weekly goals. There are spaces in there for nutrition and health, but you can also just use it to jot down some recipes you like.
Shop Now: CBJ Well Journal ($29.95, Amazon)
French Lavender Massage Oil
If you have someone who's willing to rub your back with this fancy massage oil, even better! After pregnancy, you should focus on pampering your skin. Think of it this way — you've got a lot of cuddles in your future, and you want to be as soft as you can be.
Shop Now: French Lavender Massage Oil ($20, The Body Shop)
Monthly Shipment of Snacks
This suggestion isn't just due to the fact that everyone deserves a snack break. It's because you've spent a long time anticipating the arrival of your baby. If you need something less intense to wait for, why not a fun monthly subscription?
Shop Now: SnackCrate Membership (Trials Starting At $1 —Prices Vary, SnackCrate)
Adult Coloring Book
Coloring isn't just for kids. Invest in a few books and a set of colored pencils and see if you can feel the same satisfaction you did as you were younger. Coloring can be a soothing and enjoyable hobby that you can partake in anywhere.
Shop Now: Relaxation Coloring Book ($6.98, Amazon)
Hotel-Quality Sheets
The rumors about not sleeping much when a newborn is around are true. Your body will get used to functioning (somewhat) on a limited sleep schedule. But you might as well truly enjoy the sleep you do get with a really nice pair of bedsheets.
Shop Now: Luxury Soft Premium Bedsheets ($24.65 for Queen, Amazon)
Rosewater Facial Spray
If you need a quick way to reenergize after a particularly pressing day, look no further. With a spritz or two, this facial spray will deliver much-needed antioxidants to your skin. On Amazon, about 78% of the people who bought this spray gave it 5 stars.
Shop Now: Mario Badescu Facial Spray ($14, Amazon)
The Cup of Courage
People often buy mugs as souvenirs while traveling. Let this mug be your souvenier marking the time you started hands-on motherhood. The Cup of Courage is adorable and will remind you to stay positive. Whether you fill it with coffee or red wine is up to you.
Shop Now: The Cup of Courage ($10.86+, KatieAbeyDesign on Etsy)
Indoor Herb Garden
You've proven that you're a pro at growing things. Next up, try growing some herbs. Gardening is a fun hobby, and growing some of your own herbs will help you relax and gain some focus. As a bonus, everything tastes better with fresh basil.
Shop Now: Sproutbrite Indoor Herb Kit Garden ($11.95, Amazon)
Psst: If you choose to purchase an item on this list, LittleThings may receive a small cut. Each item and price is up to date at the time of publication; however, an item may be sold out or the price may be different at a later date.
