MANILA, Philippines–The beginning of a new year can be an emotional period for a young mother when she looks back at how much her child has developed in just 12 months. And then it’s back to the daily grind of cleaning up spills, changing diapers, and dealing with food battles and tantrums.

Improving oneself might remain wishful thinking, but perhaps taking one small step at a time can be gradually worked into the physically demanding lifestyle of mothers with tots.

For the heart, skin, soul

Here are four easy personal beauty resolutions from some of our favorite mommy pegs who make motherhood look easy peasy.

1) Drink more water.
Yes, we always hear this, but we keep on forgetting to do it as the day goes by. VIP services manager for SSI and mother of two Mikaela Lagdameo-Martinez suggests this as a simple resolution for both moms and kids.
“I don’t really have a beauty resolution except to be more conscious about drinking more water. I want to always have a bottle of water with me at all times and make sure I drink it. The same goes for my kids, too.”

Invest in a container that’s easy to carry and aesthetically pleasing to motivate you to refill and drink from it daily.

2) Commit to a form of exercise, and make it a bonding experience with your child.

If you haven’t started exercising yet because running around with or after your toddler is tiring enough, think again. Sweating it out regularly is good for the heart, skin and soul.

“I think the best beauty resolution would be fitness, because looking good is so much better when it comes with feeling good as well,” says model, wedding planner, Metro Society magazine managing editor and mother of three Georgia Schulze-del Rosario.

She suggests introducing your kids to and involving them in healthy living early on.

“I play tennis, and my girls sometimes join me; so aside from getting a workout, it’s good bonding time. I plan to add a class of some sort—maybe pole dancing or yoga—to work on the other muscles, as well as a form of cardio like biking or light jogging around the village.”

Happy mommy and baby

3) Make time for yourself, no guilt included.

You may want to inhale your newborn’s scent 24/7, but even the most adorable and needy of babies won’t mind when mommy is away for some pampering. Children benefit from a relaxed mom who has nurtured her self and her soul.

Happy mommy equals a happy baby, and there is no guilt or shame in taking time out to be that happy mom.

“My best advice for new moms is to make time for yourself, whether that means spending 30 minutes at the gym, getting a hair treatment or having your eyebrows threaded, or indulging in a massage,” says lifestyle writer and former beauty editor Cat Juan Ledesma.

The mother of two adds: “Don’t feel guilty for allowing yourself small indulgences to make you feel good and attractive. A happy mom is the best kind of mom.”

Perhaps the best resolution for 2015 is shaking off any form of mommy guilt altogether.

4) Get out of your makeup comfort zone.

Your favorite neutral eyeshadow palette may have served you faithfully in the past,  so perhaps it’s time to try something new.

Mother of three and Happy Skin Cosmetics cofounder Rissa Mananquil-Trillo suggests trying her new favorite look, wearing colored eyeliners. “Colored eyeliners are my new makeup must. I love how easily they transform your everyday look.”

How to do it? “Line your eyes with a pretty Plum. It’ll make everyone wonder why there’s something different about you, but they just can’t pinpoint what. Or try Watermelon, which has a hint of deep green with the familiarity of everyone’s favorite brown.

“I like dabbing a pale Cotton Candy pink hue in the inner corners of my eyes for an illuminating finish. To freshen up the typical smoky eye, line with the golden Butterscotch for an edgy and ethereal look,” she says.

Eye Candy Limited Edition 24H Gel Pencil Eyeliners, P1,299 each, are available at happyskincosmetics.com, Plains & Prints, Beauty Bar and Rustan’s.