Carrie Underwood, Jessica Alba and 4 Other Celebrity Moms Are Practicing Self-Care
Celebrity moms like Jessica Alba and Michelle Obama reveal how they practice self-care in their everyday lives.
Overview
There's no doubt about it: Being a parent can be tough. Rewarding? Yes. Exhausting? Most certainly! And whether we realize it or not, it's important to take time for ourselves in order to be at our best for our kids. Just ask celebrity moms like Michelle Obama and Jessica Alba, who are all about self-care and allowing themselves to focus on their personal needs every now and again. Between meditating, working out and even calling friends for a night out to unwind, these famous faces are outspoken advocates for having personal time to benefit themselves and their kids.
Up Next: Find out what Serena Williams does in order to take time for herself.
1. Serena Williams
Tennis superstar Serena Williams is no stranger to being busy, especially as a new mom to her 10-month-old daughter, Alexis Olympia. But when she's off the court, the 36-year-old athlete is a fan of meditating as a way to stay present and alert during times with her little one. "I just downloaded this meditation app," she told Refinery29. "I was trying it because I felt like I needed to clear my mind. The guy talks to you for a second, then you just sit, clear your mind and think. I start it [and meditate for], like, three to five minutes, depending. I try to meditate more, because it helps me be better for my daughter and my family, and I think that's really important."
Up Next: Learn how country singer Carrie Underwood practices self-care in her everyday life.
2. Carrie Underwood
In terms of finding time for herself, Carrie Underwood, mom to 3-year-old son Isaiah, looks to fitness as a way to unwind. The singer, who has been open about her struggles with panic attacks, says working out has helped to reduce stress in her everyday life. "Being active and holding myself accountable helps me work towards being my best self," she told LIVESTRONG.COM. "I want to make sure I'm always taking care of my body because, at the end of the day, that's what keeps my mind healthy and makes me the best mom I can be for my son." Don't have much time? Do what you can! "You can always do something to get a quick sweat in, even if it's 20 minutes of running or lifting weights."
Up Next: See what Michelle Obama does to maintain a healthy balance while raising two girls.
3. Michelle Obama
Raising two girls can be a challenge for anyone. Throw in eight years in the White House while jumping from presidential meeting to parent-teacher conference, and finding personal time is next to impossible! But Michelle Obama knows the importance of practicing self-care in order to stay sane. "Sometimes I give myself a break," she told Women's Health. "So I will retreat a moment from the fray, just to breathe. Because what I've learned is that my immediate reaction cannot be the deciding reaction. So sometimes I just sort of step back a second, and while I'm stepping back, I talk. I reach out to my friends, my mom, my girlfriends; I vent, I release, I have sounding boards, I get pep talks from colleagues and staff, and then I go back in."
Up Next: Find out what Kim Kardashian does to take time for herself while raising three little ones.
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4. Kim Kardashian
Raising three kids all under the age of 5 is certainly a challenge, but Kim Kardashian still finds time for herself. "My schedule is really intense, but I feel like it's still a priority to me to pamper myself and take care of myself for my own sanity," the 37-year-old mom told Glamour. "Like last night at 10:00 p.m., I went to get a facial. I was like, OK, I've put all the kids to bed — I have to take care of myself. I really needed this facial, and I'll go to bed at midnight tonight. Even my sisters think I'm crazy because I'll take the time to do that when most people won't, or I'll get up at 5:00 a.m. and work out before the kids get up. I try to do 'my' time on off-time."
Up Next: See how supermodel Gisele Bundchen practices self-care in her everyday life.
5. Gisele Bundchen
She may be a world-renowned model, but, as a mom of two, Gisele Bundchen makes it a point to schedule some personal time in her calendar. "After adding everyone's schedule on the calendar, I make sure that every day I have some sacred time for myself, so I can recharge," she told People. "I noticed every time I felt overwhelmed I would hold my breath. I had to learn to stop, relax and take long deep breaths and within seconds I would feel more clear and ready to deal with the situation in a more loving way. Meditation also has been a wonderful tool. I notice that when I don't take the time to do it, I am not as centered, patient or clear."
Up Next: Learn what savvy entrepreneur Jessica Alba does to take time for herself.
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6. Jessica Alba
When she's not busy running a multimillion-dollar empire or raising her three kids, Honor, Haven and Hayes, Jessica Alba uses fitness as a way to release stress. "After I had Honor, my first child, I worked out to get back into shape. Then I stopped. Then I got pregnant with Havie, and I worked out a bit after I had her. But then I stopped once I hit a weight that I felt fine with, because it's just boring," she told Self magazine. "I've started to work out for stress. I realize that I just need to give my mind a break. When you're being pulled in so many different directions — and I've done more this year than I have in the last six or seven — it's full-on. If you don't get rid of some extra energy, you can internalize it, and it becomes so unhealthy."
What Do YOU Think?
Do you do anything in particular to practice self-care while raising a family? Are there any tips from these celebrity moms that you'll include in your own life? Sound off in the comments below!