8 No-Guilt Pleasures

You're a mom so we don't have to tell you that you often take care of everyone else before even thinking about your own needs. But you know that's not the best strategy for your health. "Small doses of whatever you enjoy are important to your health and well-being," says Ann L. Dunnewold, Ph.D., a licensed psychologist in Dallas and author of Even June Cleaver Would Forget the Juice Box. "It's not selfish, it's self-preservation."

So, for starters, take 10. A 10-minute break of any kind—whether it's to strike a yoga pose or simply sit quietly—can be just what you need to help you get through your crazy busy days. Sherry Richert Belul, an entrepreneur in San Francisco and mom of a 9-year-old son, treats herself with a variety of mini breaks: "I'll go for a 10-minute walk and look at the sky. Or I'll walk to the store and buy myself a bunch of sunflowers for $5. I'll set the timer and do a little creative writing for 10 minutes." Her little splurges give her a quick pick-me-up "without costing a lot of money or taking too much time away from my work or family," she says.