How to Practice Self-Care for Military Wives

Taking the time to put yourself first can be hard to do for women in the military or as a wife of a military member. You’re busy making sure the kids are happy and healthy, while being there for your spouse, letting them know they are loved and supported. The last person you probably think about is yourself. But don't worry, it's OK to think about a self-care spa day or take a day by yourself and watch top military movies in your pajamas.

As the years go on, life changes and so do you. So, here is your reminder to re-focus on yourself and commit to being the best version of "you" by practicing self-care. When you’re happy and healthy both mentally and physically, everything else will fall into place.

Self-Care Tips for Military Wives

Self-care looks different to everyone. Think about what you think would make you a happier, relaxed person who’s more in touch with the person you want to be. To help you get started, here are some self-care tips.

1 | Pamper Yourself | Self-care spa day, anyone? Get your nails done. Get your hair done. Better yet, get a massage. Have your masseuse rub away those knots in your body, which will in turn help your mind. After you’re done, hopefully, you’ll feel like a weight has been lifted off your busy shoulders.

RELATED ARTICLES:

10 Self-Care Tips for Women in the Military

12 Moving Tips for Military Families

8 Holiday Block Leave Vacations For Military Families!

2 | A Day Without Kids | Find a babysitter and leave the little ones for a day. Go out, grab a coffee and plan a day just for you. It’s OK not to feel guilty. The kids will be fine without you. When you take time for yourself, it actually makes you a better, more patient parent.

3 | Do Something for You | Do something for yourself every day. It doesn’t have to be a big production. It can be making time to get in a good workout, get your hair done or take a drive somewhere. Maybe it could be to take a bubble bath, watch your favorite TV show or read a book about famous women in the military after you put the kids to bed. Whether it’s 15 minutes or an hour, it doesn’t really matter. Take a moment to breathe and get your Zen on.

4 | Unplug & Disconnect | Stop! Put the phone and computer down! Social media can really mess with you mentally. It can make you feel envious of the lives of others. And work, we usually end up doing too much of it. Plus, staring at screens all day just isn’t good for your eyes and overall health. Instead, get up and appreciate the world around you. Your emails, text messages and social media sites can wait, but your health can’t.

5 | Just Say “No” – If You Can | “Can you come into work and work an extra shift?” You say: “No, I’m sorry, I can’t.” “Mommy, can we go to the zoo today?” You say: “No, not today, honey.” The world can throw a lot of things at you, but you need to pick your battles and look within yourself to make sure you’re not pushing yourself too hard. Work, life and family balance is just tough. You can’t be everywhere at once. Sometimes you just have to say “no” and be OK with it. Your time is too precious to get yourself so wound up and committed to all these extra things. Remember, saying no doesn’t have to be a bad thing.

6 | Take a Solo Trip | Beach, please! Take some time to reconnect with yourself. Don’t worry, she’s still in there. You might have to dig a little deeper to find her, but once you do, you’ll be happy to see her again just like an old friend. Solo trips can teach you a lot about yourself. It can give you newfound independence or just help you rediscover it. It can also help you tick off an item on your bucket list. Board a flight, take a cruise or rent an Airbnb nearby. Whatever you do, put yourself first.

7 | Get Your Friends Together | Sometimes getting your friends together is just what the doctor ordered. They know you and understand what’s going on in your life. You guys can gossip, talk about your hopes and dreams, as well as what’s stressing you out. The outings give you the socialization you might be missing. Plus, real friends support each other and can give you the free therapy session you didn’t know you needed.

8 | Meditate | Just breathe! Stop whatever you’re doing and take a moment to connect your mind, body and soul. Put on some comforting, relaxing music, sit, close your eyes, breathe in through your nose and breathe out through your mouth. Do this over and over while clearing your mind. Your Apple watch can even help you remember to do this every day. Meditation can lower your heart rate and blood pressure while helping your mental health.

9 | Spend Quality Time with Your Spouse | Sometimes you have to reconnect with yourself, but sometimes you have to reconnect with your significant other. Getting that love and attention from that other person can give you the boost in happiness and confidence you might have been missing. It’s not just going out and talking about fun facts about the military or date night ideas, it’s about that deep quality time, like going away together for a few days without the kids. You and your spouse need that one-on-one time to remember what you love about each other and what made you choose each other as life partners.

10 | Get Some Rest | Sleep! We all love getting a good night’s sleep. Curling up in your comfiest sheets or blanket and laying your head on that soft, silky pillow might just be the best part of your day. It’s hard when you have kids, work and other commitments, but you need to make a commitment to yourself to get enough rest. Set a bedtime and try to stick to it. You’ll wake up with a clearer mind and better attitude to face each new day and the challenges they bring.

Final Thoughts on Practicing Self-Care

The important thing to remember about self-care is that it’s not one and done. Self-care is a lifestyle. Life can get hectic, but you always have to remember that you are a top priority. Only you know how you feel, and that means you know when you need some time to focus on yourself. Don’t feel guilty about it. It’s never too late to start focusing on yourself, so go ahead, know your worth and love yourself! To learn more about self-care tips and other military family topics, visit the Westgate Resorts Blog.

RELATED ARTICLE:

At Westgate Resorts, when you Check-In, there’s a LOT to Check-Out! Your vacation awaits! Start planning your next vacation today or talk with a vacation planner at 888-852-2959 or 407-355-2690.

* Westgate Resorts is in no way affiliated with the attractions featured in this article. Items or places listed are current as of the publishing date of this article. Please call or visit the respective website for the most up-to-date offerings and details.