Southern Mom Loves: Self Care Tips to Stress Less in the New Year!

Self Care Tips to Stress Less in the New Year!

Tuesday, January 14, 2020

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #XenForMoreZen #CollectiveBias


Hey, guys! Life can be incredibly stressful, so today's post is all about self-care tips to help you stress less during the new year. I'll walk you through self-care ideas for if you have a whole day to yourself, an evening, an hour, or even just managed to score 15 minutes without everyone demanding your attention.

I even have one for when you have no time at all; An electronic device for Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) that can help you relax while you go about your day. Keep reading for all of those tips and then carve out a little time for yourself!

Why Do I Need Self-Care?

I will counter with: If the tank is empty, how will you keep going? If you really enjoy getting out to push all day, every day, carry on, I guess. It's not good for your health, which means it's not good for your family either.

Stress can affect you cognitively, emotionally, and even physically. We only have one body, so let's work on taking care of it in a way that's totally doable. You've got this! This can be a preventative measure or a way to treat your existing stress. It's time to relax a little!

Self-Care for a Day/The Unicorn

Did grandma take the kids? Score! You have a whole day to yourself! Instead of taking that time to complete your to-do lists in peace or getting the house sparkling clean (you know it won't last, right?), take the whole day for yourself. I mean, how often do you actually do that?! If you're a parent, I'm guessing it's next to never.


I like to keep little treats around for those days when I need them. Comfy robes, calming tea, sheet masks, a good book. You can create a whole relaxing spa day from items that you probably have around the house!


Some ideas for when you have more time for yourself to create a spa day:

  • have a long, hot bubble bath complete with a luxe bath bomb
  • exfoliate your body with a sugar scrub (check out my posts for sugar scrub, scalp scrub, and lip scrub recipes)
  • use your favorite body moisturizer/oil and body spray
  • snuggle up in a comfy robe and slippers
  • give yourself a steam facial over a pot of boiling water
  • do a face or eye mask
  • use a cold jade or rose quartz facial roller
  • give yourself a mani/pedi
  • read a new book or an old favorite
  • make a cup of calming tea (chamomile is superb)
  • have your favorite chocolate
  • play your favorite music
  • relaaaax!
Self-Care in an Evening, aka The Kids Are in Bed

You've survived another day. The kids are in bed and you're exhausted. Will you go to bed early just to wake up and do it all again with no real me-time in between? Don't get me wrong, sleep is very important, but so is unwinding your brain. If you haven't had the chance in a while, why not tonight?


My favorite nighttime self-care routine is to have a movie & mani night! I put on a movie I've been wanting to see and make popcorn, get out a favorite candy, have a soda, and do my nails after my daughter is in bed. It's also a fun evening to do with a friend.


A lot of the things you can do for a spa day apply to an evening to yourself, you just have to pick and choose what you can fit into the evening. Here's a list to choose from:

  • give yourself a mani/pedi
  • take a bubble bath
  • watch a movie
  • catch up on your favorite TV show
  • exfoliate and moisturize with your faves
  • snuggle up in new PJs to read
  • give yourself a facial complete with a mask
  • have that treat you've been denying yourself
  • bake cupcakes and eat one
  • play music and dance
  • unwind!
Self Care Hour/Nap Time/Are You Hiding in the Bathroom?

Life can be crazy. I know it, you know it, your clingy toddler knows it. Did you find an hour to yourself somewhere? Instead of folding that laundry during nap time, try to give yourself a break.


The key to relaxing over a short period is to do something you absolutely love or something you've very interested in trying. When I first heard about the adult coloring craze, I thought it was ridiculous...then I saw the coloring books made for adults and I was fascinated by the intricate designs and bright colors. This isn't your kids' coloring.

I absolutely picked up a drool-worthy set of markers and coloring pages that would take hours to finish. (You can even find them online and print them out for free!) They do take multiple sessions to complete, but while I'm working on it, my mind is blissfully blank.


If you only have an hour, here are some ways you can make your brain chill out for a while:

  • work on an adult coloring page
  • draw/doodle
  • read
  • scroll through social media for funny memes only!
  • watch an hour-long comedy special
  • stream a podcast
  • meditate
  • take a walk
  • watch a documentary
  • take a nap
  • make an easy DIY
  • play a video game/app game
  • ride a bike
  • work out
  • chill!
Self-Care in 15 Minutes or even No Time For Self-Care

Sometimes you just can't carve out more than 15 minutes. Sometimes you have no time for yourself. I get it! Often I'll start working in the morning and look up to realize I missed breakfast, lunch, and it's almost time to get my daughter from school! We get busy. Don't beat yourself up. Just prepare and try your best to take care of yourself! 

I have a lot of great tips to help yourself relax when you just don't have much time, but I'm going to start with the newest, coolest one: The XEN by Neuvana. 


If you haven't heard of Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS), it is a treatment that works by sending a gentle electrical signal to a part of the vagus nerve located in your ear, promoting relaxation. Decades of research and published studies show that VNS has the potential to improve sleep, reduce the effects of stress and anxiety, brighten your mood, and increase your focus.

I had heard of it, but never thought I would be able to try it. Until now!


VNS may help improve your sleep, reduce stress and anxiety, brighten your mood, enhance your concentration, and reduce cravings.

The Xen was invented by a top surgeon passionate about enhancing well-being through technology and making the benefits of VNS accessible to everyone. Find out all about it here.


The XEN by Neuvana kit contains everything you need to get started with VNS, which can be done anywhere, at any time. I do it at my desk or I take a little break and cozy up on the couch. You can check out the User Guide here to see exactly how to use it.


You can use it while listening to music (the app syncs with your device's music library, Spotify, Pandora, and most other streaming apps), while you go on a walk, while you make dinner, or even while you work.


It's compatible with your iPhone/iPad/iPod touch running iOS 11 or later or your Android device running OS 6 or later. Just download the app, connect your Xen, choose your waveform, sensation, and duration, and let it do the work for you.



At $399 it is a little bit of an investment, but if it works for you, it can make a huge difference in the quality of your life, plus there's a 30-day money-back guarantee. 🙂 There's no risk; Get Xen here and tune in to wellness.


For those times when "too busy" is your mantra, try one of these:

  • a Xen session
  • chair stretches
  • Yoga
  • a quick walk around the block
  • rest your eyes for 5 minutes
  • a 15-minute quick workout
  • a self-hand massage and finger stretch
  • stop to make a cup of tea and do nothing while it steeps
  • take off your heels for a quick self-foot massage
  • take 5 minutes to think of everything you are grateful for; Make a list
  • tell yourself positive affirmations...out loud...and mean them
  • make yourself a healthy snack
  • do whatever you enjoy most in 15-minute spurts
  • give yourself a break!

I said it before and I'll say it again and again and again: Self-Care is so important. Prolonged stress can lead to terrible health problems that are irreversible, so taking a little time for yourself now can make a huge difference down the line. You're not being selfish, you do deserve it, and it's not too big a price to pay to take some time off. In the long run, it will help you be a better you, a better mom, and a better partner.

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What are your plans for the new year? Are you taking care of yourself? Have you heard of VNS? I love to read your comments!

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