20 minute treats for time-pressed mums

As a busy mum, life is non-stop but that doesn't mean you don't want - hell, need! - some time to recharge and reinvigorate yourself.

But working out how to squeeze in some me-time alongside nursery and school pick-ups, work and general life admin can feel impossible. Until now ...

We’ve rounded up some of the best 20 minute treats that ANYONE can easily achieve at home, from 20 minute YouTube workouts to transforming your hair colour with Clairol Natural Instincts.

Enjoy!

For lots of parents, uninterrupted sleep is a distant memory. Which is why one of the ULTIMATE treats you can give yourself is a power nap.

And the good news is, a study shows napping between 10-20 minutes will give you the best results, including boosting your energy.

Tbh, we’re going to try this one right now.

Transforming your hair doesn’t mean spending hours (that you don’t have) at the hairdressers. 

Instead you can get shiny, radiant results in just 20 minutes with Clairol Natural Instincts semi-permanent conditioning colour.

The at-home hair colour lasts for up to 28 washes, meaning you can try a new shade every month if you want!

Made with 80% naturally derived ingredients and infused with coconut oil and aloe vera, it even covers those first grey hairs that you definitely didn’t have before having kids, right?

Choose from 18 shades, all ammonia-free and gentle on your hair and pick up from the supermarket or chemist.

Mmmm, cake makes everything seem better. But a) you don’t have time to spend hours baking and b) whatever you make gets hoovered up by the kids.

Not anymore, thanks to this genius five-minute chocolate cake recipe. With just a few minutes prep  before cooking in the microwave, you’ve got plenty of time to eat it in peace before the kids are due home. Bliss.

A brilliant way to calm your body and mind is through breathing. But it’s the one thing we often forget to do properly (yep, we’ve realised we’re actually holding our breath right now. Gulp.)

Adding a mini meditation to your day is a great way to focus on your breathing and is short enough that your mind shouldn’t wander to what you need to do next on your to-do list.

There are lots of free meditations on YouTube or you can download an app like Calm or Headspace.

You love your kids more than anything. But that doesn’t mean you want to share every moment of every day with them … including bathtime.

So rather than running a lovely scented bath only to find your kids hopping in too, time it for when they are in bed or out at nursery or school. Yes it might feel like a total luxury but that’s the whole point – you deserve it!

If you’re anything like us, all you ever seem to write these days is an endless to-do list. 

Take some time to journal, writing down how you’re feeling and whatever comes into your mind – no filtering!

Studies show this can help improve your mood and reduce any feelings of anxiety. It also makes you focus on yourself and what YOU need. Now that is a much-needed treat.

Okay, so you can’t quite fit in a full episode of Bake Off. But in 20 minutes you can pretty much watch your fave episode of Friends or any other feel-good sitcom.

And the best bit is you don’t have to share the remote control with your partner or the kids. Now that IS a treat.

We all like receiving flowers. But you don’t need to wait for someone to send them to you. As one of your 20 minute treats, why not order a bouquet and then spend time arranging them.

Not only will they look lovely, you’ll be getting an added benefit after a study found flowers can actually lift your mood.

If you’re anything like us, your feet are seriously neglected. And that means cracked heels, months-old nail varnish and toenails that definitely need cutting.

Why not set aside 20 minutes when the kids have gone to bed to give yourself a lovely pedicure. Soak your feet in warm water before trimming, filing and polishing. 

According to Glamour magazine, on-trend colours to try include black, metallics and pearl.

Tidying up is definitely NOT a treat. But clearing out the kitchen cupboard or the bottom of your wardrobe that’s been bugging you for months can have surprising benefits. Especially as a study found there is a direct link between clutter and the stress hormone cortisol.

Spend a maximum of 20 minutes ‘power decluttering’, putting stuff in bags for recycling, the charity shop or to keep. And then enjoy your new, clear space. Aaah.

It’s not always easy finding time to work out. Which is why a shorter HIIT-style workout is ideal.

Search on YouTube for 20 minute workouts (or less if you want to build up). 

From the lovely Body Coach Joe Wicks to Instagrammer Pamela Reif, there are loads to choose from. You don’t need any equipment, just a pair of trainers … get ready to sweat! 

Fancy a treat that keeps on giving? Then why not spend 20 minutes searching for monthly subscription boxes packed with some of your favourite things..

This could be anything from beauty and books to tea or flowers. There are lots to choose from to suit different budgets.

You read your child’s favourite books to them every day. But can you remember the last time you read a book just for you?

Grab a cuppa and curl up in your favourite chair with your book. Your local library will have all the latest new releases or you could listen to an audiobook instead.

You know the one. The call to your bestie you’ve been meaning to make for WEEKS but keep running out of time.

Scheduling the call in your diary is a treat in itself. And psychologists say actually chatting is more rewarding than simply WhatsApping. 

You *may* struggle to fit your call into a 20 minute slot, but hey, you can always catch up tomorrow too.

Which might sound impossible but is surprisingly easy. 

Either buy an at-home massage stick or seach online for self-massage videos. And if your partner is around, get them to do your massage instead.

Usually you’re listening out for the regular shouts of ‘Mummmmmmmmmy!’ But when the kids are asleep you can pop in your headphones and tune in to your favourite podcast.

This might be anything from inspirational interviews (shameless plug: check out our Sweat, Snot and Tears podcast) to true crime or comedy.

Colouring in is not just for the kids. There are loads of adult colouring books to choose from, including Jane Austen and Harry Potter-themed ones.

Research has found colouring can reduce anxiety and is a great way to relax your mind.

From the ping of class WhatsApp messages to your Instagram notifications, your phone takes up a LOT of your attention.

Treat yourself by focusing on you - and not your screen - for 20 minutes. It might not sound like much but having that small break from being endlessly connected can make a big difference.

Take time for yourself and lift your spirits by heading out for a short walk. A study found being in green spaces can boost your mental wellbeing.

So head to your nearest park or woods and make the most of the great outdoors (without having to point out all the wildlife and minibeasts!)

Nada, zilch … NOTHING. Seriously, plonk yourself down in your favourite chair and just chill. 

Knowing it’s just for 20 minutes should mean your mind lets you relax rather than thinking of all the things you should be doing.

The more you do it, the easier it will get. Which is a great reason for giving yourself this treat as often as possible.