38 Mom Hacks That Save Your Sanity

As a mom, it’s totally normal to feel like you are losing your sanity sometimes.

There’s so much on your plate, and let’s face it, things never fully go as planned.

I’ve been a mom for over six years, and some days are more rough than others for sure. That’s just the way it goes.

But over time, I’ve learned some hacks and tips that help save my sanity and make for a much better day. I hope you find them helpful also!

What Does “Save Your Sanity” Mean?

You have a lot on your plate. It’s not surprising that at times you feel like running and hiding and forgetting about it all.

When things are feeling really overwhelming, you might feel like life is insane, and you, personally, are going insane with it.

“Saving your sanity” is a quick term to express your desire to keep your mental and emotional health in check. Basically, you want to avoid yelling at your kids, telling your spouse where he can put dinner (ahem), throwing toys across the room, and locking yourself in your room for hours on end.

38 Mom Hacks That Will Save Your Sanity

These hacks are broken down into four categories: declutter, plannning, self-care, and fun. You can pick one to focus on today based on what your needs are. Or you can go through and the list and try a different one each day and see what happens – kinda like a 38 day “save your sanity” challenge.

Want these 38 mom hacks on a printable for easy reference? No problem. You can grab the 38 Mom Hacks That Save Your Sanity free printable here.

Declutter

Sanity Saving Tip #1: Do a 5 Minute Pick-Up

Set your phone timer for 5 minutes and get to work picking up the house and putting things back to where they belong. Have the kids help too! It’s amazing how much you can accomplish in 5 minutes.

I especially love this tip if I have a few minutes before I need to leave the house. It’s always nice to come back home to a (somewhat) picked-up house.

Sanity Saving Tip #2: Go Through Mail Immediately

You know how fast mail can pile up if you don’t go through it. The pile just becomes clutter, and clutter can seriously make you feel overwhelmed.

As soon as the mail comes in, sort it and place it where it belongs.

Sanity Saving Tip #3: Have a System for School Papers

If you have kids in school, then there’s no doubt you receive papers home on the daily. Similar to the mail, those papers can soon become clutter.

Create a system for the papers. Once the papers come home, sort them, and place them where they belong. I sort the papers like this:

• Recycle
• Immediate attention
• Artwork
• Future reference

Sanity Saving Tip #4: Have Kids Put Coat and Shoes Away

Train the kids to put their coats and shoes in the proper place as soon as they take them off. A picked up entryway will provide you with a little bit of peace.

Sanity Saving Tip #5: Keep Kitchen Table Cleared Off

If you don’t do anything else on this list, at least try this! When there are toys and plates and crayons all over the table, it’s hard to focus on anything else – at least for me!

When you keep the table cleared off, you always have a nice space to not only eat, but to play with your kids, or work on your grocery list. Try to always go to bed with a cleaned off table. It’s such a nice way to start your morning!

Sanity Saving Tip #6: Have Kids Pick-Up Before Bed

Waking up to toys all over the living room can wake-up “mean mommy” real quick.

Before bed, have the kids (or the whole family) pick-up and put away everything they were using that day. It keeps the clutter under control and teaches the kids to take care of their things.

Sanity Saving Tip #7: Group Like Toys in a Plastic Bin

Sort toys into categories that make sense to you. Find some plastic bins and label them with the toy category. Use these plastic bins to store the toys.

When it’s time for clean-up, your kids can put the toys in the appropriate category. This can be a life-saver when your child is looking for that one particular Imaginext guy. You will know exactly where to look.

If you really want to help yourself out, make a rule that no more than two plastic bins can be used at one time.

Planning

Sanity Saving Tip #8: Decide on Dinner the Night Before

Before you close-up the kitchen for the night, decide what you will have for dinner the following day.

Remove items from the freezer for thawing. If you have extra time, do a little bit of prepping. Your future self will thank you!

Sanity Saving Tip #9: Keep a Running List of Groceries Needed

On your phone, or on a piece of paper, keep a list of items you need when you go grocery shopping. Used up the peanut butter? Immediately write it down on your list.

This list will help you easily put together your master grocery list, and ensure that you won’t need to run back to the store for a forgotten item.

(Check out my Simple Grocery Shopping Routine – Helps Save Time and Money)

Sanity Saving Tip #10: Grocery Shop Once a Week

Tip #9 should make this pretty easy. Spend some time once a week meal planning, putting your grocery list together, and getting the shopping done.

I don’t know about you, but I dread having to make numerous stops at the store with the kids in tow.

Sanity Saving Tip #11: Utilize Grocery Delivery or Pick-Up

If grocery shopping is a truly dreaded task, or if you just don’t want to take the kids to the store, utilize a grocery delivery or pick-up service.

Not only does this save you time, but you will save money because you won’t make impulse purchases at the store.

Sanity Saving Tip #12: Do a 5 Minute Prep for the Next Day

Once again, set your timer for 5 minutes, and do some prepping. This could include:

• making school lunches
• prepping food for dinner the following night
• putting clothes out for you and/or the kids
• checking the kids school calendar for the following day
• getting breakfast together for the following morning
• glancing at your planner for the next day
• making a to-do list for the next day

Sanity Saving Tip #13: Use Block Scheduling

If you aren’t familiar with block scheduling, check out this post by Lambert’s Lately.

Basically, block scheduling will help your racing brain from overwhelming you. When you use this type of scheduling, every task (that is important to you), has a place in your day. This lessens distractions, and gives the hours in your day more purpose.

With the holidays coming up, your days may look a little different. Check out my Christmas planning routine to avoid overwhelm.

Sanity Saving Tip #14: Stick To a Morning and/or Night Routine

You had to know this was coming! There are so many benefits to a routine.

(Check out The Beginners Guide to Family Routines and the Big List of Routines for Moms to learn how to start routines, and the many benefits of routine. )

A smooth morning routine helps you face the day with a sense of control. A night routine, helps you settle into better sleep and sets you up for a good morning.

Sanity Saving Tip #15: Schedule a Play Date With Your Favorite People

When you are feeling especially on edge, it can help to get around other people. It’s even more helpful if those other people have kids to play with yours. You get some adult time, and your kids have some time to play with their friends.

Sanity Saving Tip #16: Swap Babysitting with a Friend

This is a great way to get a few hours to yourself, and then you can return the favor by watching your friends kids. Plus, it’s free!

Most mom’s are more than willing to babysit if they know the favor is being returned.

Sanity Saving Tip #17: Get Breakfast Items Out The Night Before

Set out breakfast items (that don’t have to be refrigerated) the night before. It’s one less thing you have to think about in the morning.

If your kids are capable, they can even put their breakfast together making it super easy on you.

Sanity Saving Tip #18: Schedule Quiet Time for the Family

In our house, this is usually after lunch. If your kids don’t nap, then allow them to watch a show, or play quietly in their room.

Use this quiet time for yourself to do something you enjoy with minimal interruption.

Sanity Saving Tip #19: Break a Sweat

Even just 20 minutes of exercise to the point where you break a sweat can have tremendous benefits for you.

Not only is it good for your physical body, but it can truly help your mental state helping you to get out of a funk. Plus, it feels so good when you have completed your exercise session.

Sanity Saving Tip #20: Meditate for 5 Minutes

Use a free app like Smiling Mind to help you meditate. Five minutes may not seem like a lot of time, but if done consistently, you will feel less overwhelmed and more in control of your mood.

One of the benefits that I found with meditating is that my kids want to do it. We often use the Smiling Mind app at bedtime to help us calm down.

Sanity Saving Tip #21: Lay On Your Bed for 5 Minutes

If you are feeling like you are on the brink of craziness. Go to your bedroom, shut the door, and lay flat on your bed. Even if only for a few minutes, it gives your whole body a second to relax.

I often do this at the end of the day when my kids are showering, or getting ready for bed.

Sanity Saving Tip #22: Get By Yourself and Swear

Through out the years, I’ve increased my use of swearing as a way to release frustration. I try my best to not do it around the kids, but sometimes, it happens.

When your emotions are high, go in the bathroom, shut the door, and let the swear words flow. It’s like an emotional release.

Sanity Saving Tip #23: Write Out Your Thoughts

If you feel like your mind is racing a mile a minute, grab a pen and paper or use your Notes app in your phone, and let the thoughts flow.

You might end up with a to-do list after, or just feel like you let go of some mental baggage. You won’t regret taking this time for yourself to see what’s going on in your mind.

Sanity Saving Tip #24: Wake-Up Before the Kids

When you start your day on your own, without the demands of your kids interfering, it creates a calm and intentional beginning to your day.

Even just waking up 15 minutes earlier allows you to sip your coffee in peace. You could also use this time to do something just for you, or start planning for the day ahead.

Sanity Saving Tip #25: Read Before Bed

If you want to enhance your reading life, then make it a habit to read before bed.

This will guarantee reading time in your day and provide better sleep than falling asleep to the TV.

Check out 35 Hobbies for Mom’s That You Can Do At Home for more hobby ideas to help you relax.

Sanity Saving Tip #26: Put on Comfortable Clothes

If your clothes are uncomfortable, or you just don’t like what you are wearing, it’s going to make it hard to focus on anything else making you feel irritated.

Put on some comfortable clothes to transform your mood and help you be more productive.

Sanity Saving Tip #27: Pull Your Hair Back Away from Your Face

This goes along with #26. If your hair is falling in your face all day, your going to feel annoyed.

Pull your hair back, and get on with your day.

Sanity Saving Tip #28: Create a To-Do List

When you are feeling stressed, take a few minutes and write down everything that you think you have to accomplish.

Then take the most simple task on there, and get it done. This will spark your motivation, and turn the feeling of stress into accomplishment.

Related: How To Organize Your Life To Reduce Overwhelm

Sanity Saving Tip #29: Let Your Kids Watch TV While You Have Some Down Time

I know that screens have a bad rap, but if it’s between your kids watching TV or you losing your cool with the kids, choose the TV.

Take this time while they are watching TV and do something for yourself.

Related: How To Manage Summer Screen Time

Sanity Saving Tip #30: Put Your Phone Away

When you spend a lot of time on your phone, you can feel overwhelmed with everything that is coming at you – without even realizing it.

I find that when I’m using my phone to scroll social media, or to research something, I have less patience if my kids are around.

Designate certain times of day that will be phone free.

Sanity Saving Tip #31: Text Your Favorite Mama Friend

If you are feeling super agitated, or if you just want to share your latest kid story, reach out to another mama friend.

It helps to be able to vent to someone who is in the trenches with you.

Sanity Saving Tip #32: Watch Your Favorite TV Show

This is where tip #29 comes in handy. Maybe you let the kids watch a show and you use your iPad or phone to watch your tv show.

Catching up with all of my Real Housewives and Kardashians is a favorite past time of mine. It helps me relax and puts me in a different world for a little bit.

Sanity Saving Tip #33: Take the Kids to the Playground

Getting out of the house can switch up the environment enough to change your mood.

Let the kids run around on the playground while you soak in the fresh air, read your book, or chat with your mama friend.

Sanity Saving Tip #34: Go Out for a Meal

At first thought, this may seem like a lot of work when you have young kids. But if your on the edge of losing your sanity, making dinner is the last thing you want to do.

You don’t have to go to a fancy restaurant, you could even get fast food, but it will make your evening just a little bit easier.

Sanity Saving Tip #35: Do a Puzzle With Your Kids

I don’t enjoy imaginary play, so one way I like to spend time with my kids is by doing a puzzle together.

It gets you out of your mind a little, and your kids will enjoy helping you find the right piece.

Sanity Saving Tip #36: Play a Game With Your Kids

Similar to #35, playing a game with your kids will be fun for everyone. It doesn’t even have to be a structured game.

Dinner time is a great time to play a game. Try a type of game where someone is thinking of an animal, or some sort of object, and everyone has to ask questions to try to figure it out. Or you can ask a question like, “what would you do if you had $100?” And see how everyone answers.

Sanity Saving Tip #37: Browse Stores Alone

Go to your favorite store – by yourself – and enjoy the quiet while you look around.

It’s a nice way to get some time for yourself while doing something you enjoy. I especially like to do this at HomeGoods and Barnes and Nobles.

Sanity Saving Tip #38: Binge YouTube Videos

Have a topic you’ve been curious to learn more about? Search for it on YouTube then get lost in all the options.

I have learned some awesome tips from organizing to how to do my hair all from YouTube.

The Last Thing You Need to Know to Save Your Sanity as a Mom

Being a mom is never easy, but it doesn’t mean you can’t have fun, or put your needs first. Actually, it’s imperative that you do these things in order to save your sanity.

Now go ahead and put one of these tips to work! Let me know in the comments which tip you are going to implement or share with me what saves your sanity?

All of these Mom Hacks are in an easy to reference printable for free. Print this out for those times when you really think you’re losing your sanity.

**Are you sick of feeling so angry and yelling at your kids? Check out my new blog series: 6 Steps To Go From An Angry To Happy + Confident Mom**