What's in My Mom Self-Care Kit? (AKA My Sanity-Favorites)

Apr 21

Let's be real—motherhood is amazing in many ways, but it's also chaotic, exhausting, and sometimes downright overwhelming. And while I love my little crew more than anything, I've learned that if I don't carve out some time to care for myself, I start running on fumes and snapping at everyone!

Quick Note: Some of the links below are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you choose to make a purchase—at no extra cost to you. I only share what I truly love and personally use (or would gift to a friend in a heartbeat)

So, over time, I've built a little Mom Self-Care Kit—a collection of small but powerful things that help me reset, recharge, and feel like a human again. It's not about spending a ton of money on luxury items; it is about finding things that truly nourish you and that you can fit into the little time you have for yourself.

If you've ever felt like you're constantly giving but never taking a moment to fill your own cup, this one's for you. I will break down exactly what is inside my sanity-saving self-care kit and why I use it!

A Little Note Before You Dive In...

Before we get into all the fun links and cozy product ideas, I want to gently remind you that self-care isn’t something you need to buy your way into. You don’t need a cart full of stuff to feel better. Most of what truly helps—like deep breaths, a quiet shower, or a walk outside—is completely free. That said, I am sharing some of my favorite tools and comforts that I’ve collected over the past 15 years—things that have genuinely helped me feel more grounded, calm, and like myself again in the chaos of motherhood. I’ve included plenty of no-cost options too (like playlists and simple rituals) because self-care should never feel like a burden. Take what serves you, leave what doesn’t, and always come back to what feels like you. ♡

1. Massage & Tension-Relief Tools (Because Mom Life = Many Muscle Knots)

Between carrying kids, cleaning up messes, and just existing as a mom, the tension is real. These are my go-to tools for self-massage relief that I swear by:

〰️ Deep Massage Roller – Gets into those tight knots (especially shoulders & legs!) + bonus, helps with circulation & cellulite (umm, yes, please!)! I use this whenever I feel extra tight during the day, and I always try to do a quick 2-4 minutes at the end of the day before getting ready for bed.

〰️ Wooden Body GuaSha & Roller Massager—This little tool is Perfect for a quick lymphatic drainage massage before a shower. If you get that extra PMS bloat, this little tool can really help depuff! I often use the wooden roller to massage tight legs and arms. It is gentler than the deep massage roller but loosens some of that tension.

〰️ Ice Roller – My holy grail for TMJ, jaw tension, and migraines. It also works wonders for depuffing in the morning or cooling down after a stressful day (aka a little nervous system regulation). I will never live without one of these again. TIP: If you have a jade or quartz roller, you can pop it into the freezer and then do a quick massage on those tight jaw muscles instead of buying something else. The main bonus with the ice roller is that it covers more area and holds the cold longer!

〰️ Scalp Massager – I use this every night, but on dry hair! You know when your hair is up all day, and your head feels tight. This loosens up all the tension and unwinds me a bit as I sit in bed and binge on a favorite show!

〰️ Prana Mat (accupressure mat)I know these can be intimidating, and yes, if you grab it wrong, it hurts, but lying on this a few times a week seriously relaxes all of those back knots and calms my body for a better night of sleep.

Shop my Favorites

more favorites ↠

2. A Journal for the Daily Brain Dump

My mind has about 57 browser tabs open at all times. Writing it all down is the only way I stay sane. Whether it's a brain dump, an actual journal entry, or just listing what's on my mind, getting it out of my head helps me feel 100x times lighter.

↠ Try This: Set a timer for 5 minutes and brain dump. No structure, no pressure. After that, write out a priority list so you feel organized instead of overwhelmed.

3. Coconut Oil—For Everything (Literally)

Yes, literally everything. Now, I know some people are more sensitive to coconut oil on their face—so if that's you, feel free to swap it for something like jojoba or argan oil instead. But for the rest of your body? Coconut oil is usually a go-to you can count on.

I use it daily for something like:

〰️ Body moisturizer

〰️ Gua sha & jade rolling (hello, lymphatic drainage!)

〰️ Hair mask

〰️ DIY body scrubs

〰️ A massage oil for sore muscles

You can purchase a jar at your local grocery store or get one in liquid form (aka fractionated coconut oil). I keep both around, depending on how I want to use them that day!

4. Scents That Instantly Shift My Mood

A few drops of the right essential oil or a spritz of my favorite perfume or a dab of body lotion, and suddenly, I go from overwhelmed mom mode to a somewhat functional, a little more grounded human being again.

Essential Oils I Swear By:

✧ Lavender – Perfect for unwinding after a long day.

✧ Peppermint – Instantly refreshes my mood.

✧ Vanilla – Warm, grounding, and makes everything feel like a vibe, you know?

Shop Essential Oil Favorites

5. Playlists for Every Mood

Music is therapy. Whether I need calm & grounding vibes or a total energy shift, playlists are everything. The best thing I ever bought was my $50 earbuds from Amazon. I pop one or both in when I need to zone out for a few while still tending to the home and kids!

My must-have playlists:

〰️ Calm & Centered: For journaling, bath time, or just trying to wind down. (Psst… I'll share my Heart & Home playlist for this!)

〰️ Ultimate Mood Boost: I am not gonna lie; I am either retro with some New Wave-ish 80s or 90s vibes or rock n' roll/grunge/metal! It totally depends on my mood, which is exactly my point. Tune into you, not what I say, and listen to what will give you that boost to tackle those tasks you might dread!

BONUS: dancing around and shaking out excess built-up energy is a fantastic (and fun) way to calm a frayed nervous system!

6. Epsom Salt Baths = My Reset Button

Epsom salt baths = pure magic for sore muscles, detoxing stress, and actually relaxing.

My favorite ways to use them:

✧ Add lavender oil for extra relaxation.

✧ Mix in a cup of coconut milk to soften the skin.

✧ Use it as a foot soak if you don't have time for a full bath.

I've been using Epsom salts in my baths for well over 10 years now, and I can always tell when I've fallen out of the habit—my body literally craves that time in the salty water. If you haven't tried one yet, I highly recommend carving out an evening just for you. Turn on some soft instrumental music, add your favorite bubbles, pour in a generous scoop of Epsom salts, and soak. You'll step out of that bath feeling lighter—physically, emotionally, and energetically.

7. 10-Minute Workouts for an Energy Reset

I know, I know. Some days, moving your body feels impossible. But even 10 minutes of movement changes everything!

Not sure where to start?

Start by checking in with yourself. Before diving into whatever's trending on social media, take a moment to assess your current fitness level and energy. Be honest about what feels good to your body, what you can realistically handle, and—most importantly—what you actually enjoy.

Here are a few simple ways to ease in:

✧ Take a 10-minute walk outside while listening to music or a podcast

✧ Put on a favorite song and move however feels good—dance, stretch, sway, be in your body

✧ Look up your favorite fitness trainer—chances are they have quick 10-minute videos to help you ease back into movement with something familiar and fun

Remember, it's not about doing what everyone else is doing—it's about finding what reconnects you with yourself.

Small movements = BIG shifts in energy.

Healthy Living for Moms Collage — 7 *Practical Health Tips for Tired Moms*

Let’s be real—mom life does NOT make healthy living easy. Between keeping tiny humans alive, endless to-do lists, and running on fumes (thanks, sleep deprivation), your own wellness feels like the first thing to go. But here’s the thing—you don’t need an extreme health overhaul to feel better. Just a few small shifts can bring back your energy, balance your mood, and help you feel GOOD in your body again.

Read more →

8. Protein Powder for a Quick Energy Win

Okay, this might sound random, but seriously, upping my protein intake has been a game-changer for my energy, focus, and mood. (PMS is still a thing, let's be honest—but it's way more manageable.)

Protein smoothies have become my go-to when that afternoon crash hits. They give me that sweet treat moment without the sugar crash and help me power through dinner, homework chaos, and the post-school wild hour without feeling totally wiped.

These are the protein powders I've personally used for over 10 years—so when I say I love them, I really mean it. I've tried a lot, and these are the ones I always come back to:

✧ Tera's Whey: Clean, grass-fed, simple ingredients. I usually grab it from Thrive Market.

✧ Garden of Life Raw Protein: This plant-based protein is packed with probiotics and is truly a daily staple in my routine. You can purchase it right on Amazon! I've got mine on a subscribe and save because, like I said, I use it that much!

Quick tip: If you always find the flavored ones sort of gross, like I do, opt for the unsweetened protein powders so you can flavor them yourself. I like adding berries, cacao, nut butter, or cinnamon, depending on what I'm craving.

Your Challenge: Create your own Mom Self-Care Kit

The key to feeling less overwhelmed isn't finding more time (because, let's be real, that's not happening). It's having small, simple rituals that help you reset—things you can grab in 5 minutes that make a real difference.

.✧ Choose a few small things that genuinely bring you peace. Use the ideas I shared as inspiration, but take a moment to really tune into you—what soothes your nervous system, what makes you feel grounded, not just what someone on the internet (including me!) says should work.

✧ Keep your go-to essentials in one place so it's easy to reach during those "I need a minute" moments.

✧ Use it guilt-free. This isn't indulgence—it's maintenance. You deserve to feel supported, too.

And if you want more simple, soul-nourishing rituals (plus a few grounding journal prompts to help you figure out what actually supports you right now), be sure to grab my FREE Fuel Your Soul Guide. It's filled with gentle, stress-reducing practices, mini reset rituals, and even a few nourishing recipes to help you start feeling more like you again.