15 One-Minute Habits That Help Me Reset as a Stay-at-Home Mom

When you’re home all day with little ones, you’re doing a million invisible things.

I used to move through the day with clenched teeth, simmering stress, snapping one minute and feeling guilty the next.

But then I started to get really intentional about how to build the life of my dreams as a stay-at-home mom—through simple habits like the ones I’ll share here—because, after all, I’m living the life I’ve always wanted and it truly is such a privilege.

Habit #1: Read Something That Feeds Your Soul as a Mother

I don’t read in long, uninterrupted stretches—because let’s be honest, who has time for that? Instead, I read just a page or two here and there. While my children are playing and I’m on the floor with them. While I’m waiting for an appointment. During those small pockets of quiet throughout the day.

Not in a frantic, I have to get my reading in kind of way, but in a slow, peaceful let’s immerse myself for just a moment kind of way.

I’ve been savoring a sweet little comfort read lately, and it’s been such a balm to my heart. It’s called Michael’s Gentle Wife, and there’s a richness to it that feels kind of like a Titus 2 mentorship through story.

Carol, the main character, is the kind of Christian woman you’d want pouring into your life. Wise, warm, and full of grace.

There’s a moment in the very first chapter that stood out to me because of how much I related to Carol—and I think many of you can too. She’s up in the night, tending to her baby—alone, in a separate room so her husband can rest. He doesn’t even realize how many times the baby wakes up, because as Carol puts it, “What’s the use in both of us burning the midnight oil?”

I was immediately convicted. Instantly all the times I did get up with the baby, but not quietly, not sacrificially, came to mind. How I made sure my husband knew exactly how many times I was up, and at exactly what hours.

But Carol quietly serves. She takes the godly, Christlike route again and again in this story. She’s not perfect, of course, but it’s just so sweet to read a novel between a loving husband, respectful wife, and children being raised to love and serve the Lord within a functional, unified family.

This book ministers so deeply to the heart of a homemaker and I think you’d love it. You purchase your copy here.

Habit #2: Sit Down and Do Absolutely Nothing

Just sit on the floor. Let your children crawl all over you. Don’t clean. Don’t plan. Don’t scroll. Just be with them.

Let the moment soften you. Laugh with them. Relax with them. Rest for a minute.

It might be the first breath you’ve taken all day and you’ll be shocked at how this increases your joy as a mother—just sitting and doing absolutely nothing.

Habit #3: Worship for a Single Minute

Even if you only have a minute—it might turn into three, but you’ll be shocked at how the Holy Spirit meets you in that moment.

Because worship isn’t just something we offer to God; it lifts the spirit of heaviness, calms the anxious heart, and reminds the weary soul who is really on the throne.

One minute of true worship can redeem an entire chaotic morning.

Habit #4: Drink Water

It’s almost laughable how much this one helps.
But seriously—if you’re feeling a little pent up with stress—stop and chug water.

Here’s my routine:
When I wake up I drink a full 30-ounce mason jar of water. That way I at least have that in before the chaos of the day starts.

Then before you know it, it’s noon and I’m like, did I drink any water yet today?

I always chug water before I want to snack. I’ve found that often when I want to snack, it’s either because I’m dehydrated, or because I need an energy boost—and water can satisfy both of those needs.

Be kind to your sweet body and just drink more water. You’ll be surprised at how much this can transform the way you feel.

Habit #5: Meditate on a Single Bible Verse

I keep a Bible open on the counter and I’m always working on a memory verse, so I have that highlighted or underlined.

When I feel weary or impatient, or anxious, I stop and just look at it and commit it to memory.
I let the Word roll around in my mind for just a minute.

This helps to repattern my thoughts. If I’m feeling those ways, then I’m probably not renewing my mind the way I ought to—and focusing on the Word is how I fight against that.

Habit #6: Flood the House with Fresh Air

Open the windows. Let the breeze in.

Fresh air is God’s natural reset button.
It changes the atmosphere of your home in such a practical way, it lifts the heaviness, and somehow resets the tone of your home.

Never, ever underestimate the power of fresh air when your day has gone awry.

Habit #7: Send a Loving Voice Message to a Friend

We were never meant to do this alone as stay-at-home moms.

Sometimes, just reaching out—even with a simple “thinking of you” message or a short prayer sent over text—is enough to bring your own heart back into fellowship.

That tiny act of reaching beyond yourself creates a ripple effect: it pulls you out of isolation and into connection, and it can really minister to your friend in ways you may never have realized.

“Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.” – Proverbs 11:25

Reaching out isn’t just a kind gesture—it’s a powerful way to partner with the Lord in ministering to others while He ministers to you.

Habit #8: Replace Each Thought With Truth

When your thoughts start spiraling—stop and ask: Is this helpful?

Even if it feels true, ask yourself: Is it building me and my family up or tearing us down?

Replace it with something life-giving. Create a journal of your common unhelpful thoughts and next to them write your replacement thought or scripture to combat them.

This is how you renew your mind.

Habit #9: Use the Baseline Protocol

When life feels crazy, I use what I call the Baseline Protocol. I teach this in my course, but here’s a quick example:

Switch to paper plates. It’s not forever—but it’s a simple hack that reduces stress right now.

Let life be easy where it can be.

Habit #10: Just… Laugh

I’m serious. Literally force yourself to laugh. A dramatic, over-the-top laugh can actually turn into a belly laugh if you let it.

You’ll feel silly… then it’ll turn real. And your kids will catch it too.

Joy is shockingly contagious—so find ways to laugh even if you have to fake it or curate it.

Habit #11: Use a Special Toy Bin

Have a stash of toys that only come out when you need a moment—to regroup, shower, breathe.

These toys are very strategically used and like I said, only come out when you really need them.
Toys can be tools for your own sanity as a stay-at-home mom.

Habit #12: Take a Quick Shower

Not a long, luxurious one. Just a short, refreshing rinse. Let the water wash off the stress. Start fresh.

There’s something about water, you guys—God used it to cleanse, to renew, to restore. And in His mercy, He designed our bodies to respond to it, too.

A quick shower doesn’t just rinse off the physical grime; it sends a powerful signal to your body.

The sensation of water on your skin can activate the parasympathetic nervous system—what’s often called the “rest and digest” mode. It lowers cortisol levels, slows your heart rate, and helps regulate your breathing.

Water gently coaxes your body out of survival mode and into calm.

Habit #13: Go Outside

Even if you just stand barefoot on the porch for 60 seconds.

There’s something about stepping outside that reminds you—life is bigger than your kitchen floor.
The fresh air has a similar effect as the shower does on your nervous system.

Habit #14: Put Your Children in Water or Outside

If moods are crashing and things are getting a little squirrely in the house, get the children in the bathtub or outside.

It’s the best, most reliable tip. When things are chaotic, get those kids in water or outside.

Habit #15: Get on the Floor

Whatever you’re doing—reading, journaling, Bible study—do it on the floor.

Your kids will feel closer. They’ll play longer. And you’ll feel like you’re with them, not just managing them—and they’ll feel that too.

There’s Hope in the Small Things

If you feel like you’re stuck in survival mode,
You can feel calm, present, and HAPPY again.
Sometimes all it takes is 1 minute.

If you actually do need a full life reset—I share the exact system that helped me feel like a whole person again, right here in the middle of motherhood. I’ll show you in my workshop linked below how I went from barely surviving each day to creating a peaceful, joyful home.