Summer Self-Care That Doesn’t Require a Babysitter, a Spa, or a Secret Identity
Let’s be real: that Pinterest-perfect spa day you keep promising yourself? Yeah, it’s probably not happening this summer. And the uninterrupted, serene house? Only exists on Airbnb.
I’m Lis Thomas—founder of Womanhood Unwrapped, agency owner, podcast co-host, professional wearer of many hats (and sometimes a hoodie to hide from my kids), and I’m here to tell you: your self-care doesn’t have to be elaborate, expensive, or Instagram-worthy to count.
After several summers of trying to self-care my way into enlightenment while elbow-deep in Goldfish crumbs, I’ve found what actually works—and it’s not a silent retreat. It’s five sacred minutes in a locked bathroom, or dancing like no one’s watching (even though they definitely are). Here’s my no-fluff, no-guilt guide to reclaiming your sanity this season.
The Power of Micro-Moments
Get the Nodpod Weighted Silk Eye Mask.
Look, I would love a whole day off to soak in a tub and think about nothing. But I live in reality—and in my reality, if I get five uninterrupted minutes to sip coffee while it’s still warm, I consider it a spiritual experience.
Self-care tip: Start small and make it sacred.
Sip your morning drink before the chaos erupts (pro tip: hide behind the fridge door if necessary).
Sit on the porch while the kids destroy the living room. You’ll fix it later.
Light a candle. Not because it’s a vibe (okay, also that), but because it signals to your brain: this is my time.
✨ Want to upgrade your micro-moment? Try a Nodpod weighted silk eye mask for quick naps, deep breaths, or just pretending you're asleep while someone else loads the dishwasher.
Shop the ProsourceFit Acupressure Mat.
Finding Calm in the Chaos (Yes, Even in the Carpool Line)
You don’t need a meditation app and a mountain view to get grounded. Sometimes all you need is the sound of your own breath and a closed door.
Try this:
Breathe in for 4, hold for 4, exhale for 4. Repeat. Do it in the car, the laundry room, or while hiding in the closet with your favorite snack.
Set a 3-minute timer and just sit. No phone. No guilt.
Let your shoulders drop. Unclench your jaw. Unbuckle that emotional bra.
Need a physical anchor? I swear by my ProsourceFit acupressure mat. Yes, it looks like a medieval torture device, but trust me—it’s magic for back pain, tension release, and reminding yourself you still have a body.
Your Everyday Escape: Outside Isn’t Just for the Kids
I used to think going outside meant “doing something.” But now I know sometimes the “something” is sitting in a chair and breathing.
Nature hits different when:
You walk barefoot on grass (bonus: your kids think you’re a wizard).
You use Turkish beach towels that dry fast, look cute, and double as picnic blankets when you forget to pack one.
You let the kids run wild at the park while you stare into the sky and pretend you’re alone on a Grecian cliff.
Shake It Off: Dance Like Your Kids Aren’t Filming You
Here’s my truth: I dance while cooking dinner. I dance while folding laundry. Sometimes I even dance while passive-aggressively wiping down countertops. Why? Because it gets me out of my head and into my body.
Ways to shake it:
Blast your go-to 90s jam while meal prepping.
Challenge your kid to a dance-off (bonus: cardio).
Pop in a 10-minute YouTube dance class if you’re feeling brave.
It’s silly. It’s sweaty. It works.
Get your own Wellness Journal.
Pen to Paper: Journal Like No One’s Reading
Listen, I love a good brain dump. Journaling has saved me more times than I can count (and has definitely made fewer messes than wine).
Easy journaling prompts:
“Today, I’m grateful for…”
“This made me laugh today…”
“This made me lose it today… but I survived.”
Grab a cute notebook or wellness journal, a decent pen, and try five minutes before bed or while the kids are brushing their teeth (aka splashing water on the mirror like they’re in a shampoo commercial).
Self-Care Isn’t Selfish. It’s Self-Rescue.
If you’ve ever thought, “I’ll rest after bedtime”—only to fall asleep halfway through scrolling Instagram—this one’s for you.
Self-care isn’t a luxury. It’s a lifeline. It’s the oxygen mask you put on so you don’t completely lose it when someone spills applesauce in your shoe.
Choose one of the below and call it self-care:
Go for a walk alone.
Say no to something you don’t want to do.
Take a longer-than-necessary shower.
Read a book you won’t be quizzed on.
Order takeout. Twice.
From One Mompreneur to Another...
I see you. Running a business. Raising humans. Keeping a podcast alive. (Okay, maybe keeping a houseplant alive, too.) It’s a lot—and you’re doing it. So let’s take back our time, even if it’s just five minutes at a time.
Now it’s your turn:
Drop your favorite self-care hacks in the comments. Or tell me where you’ve hidden from your family today. I’ll go first: yesterday it was the pantry, next to the snacks I told everyone we were “out of.”
—
Lis Thomas
Mom of two | Founder of Womanhood Unwrapped | Queen of five-minute sanity breaks
