Let’s face it, as a mother, you do it all.
Making sure your children are healthy and cared for is a top priority, as it should be.
But make sure you are not neglecting to take care of yourself in the process, which could cause a downward spiral of events in your home.
Here are several ways you can keep your own health a top priority, while keeping all the other pieces moving in your home.
1. Eat Well: This may seem easier said than done, but it’s critical you fuel your body with nutritious food to get through the day.
While it may be tempting to stop at the drive-through and pick up a quick meal or load up on frozen dinners or other “comfort food”, filling your body with processed food won’t make your life any easier.
In fact, it will make you lethargic, and you will lack the daily nutrients and vitamins you need for energy. Not to mention the amount of money you’ll spend paying for “convenience” foods.
Try meal-prepping at the beginning of the week, and batch cook items such as homemade soups, chili, or other healthy casseroles.
You can even portion out items for your morning smoothie the night before, so when you wake up sleepy-eyed and tired, you can simply throw it all in the blender and have breakfast ready to go!
2. Stay Active: Yes, you may be active chasing your little ones around the house all day, but in addition to everyday mom duties, take the time for a refreshing workout.
It could be 20 minutes of Pilates in the morning before your day starts, or even an evening stroll after dinner.
The point is to stay moving, and keep your lungs and heart healthy.
Not every mom has the chance or luxury to run to the gym at whim, but there are plenty of workouts you can do for free, right in the privacy and comfort of your own home!
3. Give Up Those Bad Habits: Life has enough hits naturally, without the added trouble of unhealthy habits.
It’s a well-known fact smoking causes cancer, and reduces your lung capacity. Not to mention, the danger of having your child breathe in secondhand smoke. If you smoke, now is the perfect time to give it up.
If you are addicted to high-fatty foods and daily carb binges, remember packing on the extra pounds will reduce your overall quality of life, and could even shorten your lifespan.
As a mother, it’s critical not only to keep yourself healthy for you but remember you have little ones watching your every move. And whether you realize it or not, they absorb more than you think.
4. Yes, You Need Sleep:One thing busy moms often sacrifice is sleep. After all, there’s just so much to do, right? Wrong!
Getting good sleep is an absolute must for every busy mom.
And if you don’t get a good night’s sleep, the consequences could be deadly.
Parents reported:
“Getting the sleep you need during those first few months is vital not only for your sanity but for your safety as well. Sandi Duverneuil, a mother of two in Bethesda, Maryland, learned this the hard way when she backed into a concrete pillar in the parking lot of her 3-month-old’s pediatrician’s office. “I just scratched the car, but it made me realize that five hours a night wasn’t enough,” says Duverneuil.
According to a study conducted by the University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center, people who sleep less than five hours per day are four to five times more likely to be involved in a sleep-related crash.
But not everyone can fall asleep on a dime. “Sleep when the baby sleeps” sounds blissful in theory. In reality, taking catnaps throughout the day can be a tall order for new moms. Still, there are things you can do to increase the odds of sweet slumber.”
Need a few tips to help you sneak in a few extra moments of shut-eye?
Consider taking a short power nap during the day, even if it’s just for 15 minutes or so. In the evening, go to bed 30 minutes before your regular scheduled bedtime, and ask your spouse to watch the children (if they aren’t already asleep).
And make sure to turn off all electronics at least an hour before bed! Answering emails (which can often be stressful), and staring at a blue cellphone screen will make it that much harder for you to fall asleep at night.
5. Visit The Doctor: Maintenance and prevention are your friend. Don’t wait to go to the doctor only when you are sick.
Getting your yearly checkups and scans is critical to stay on top of your health. Of course, as you get older, the visits will increase with regular mammograms and other important screens.
Staying healthy shouldn’t be a bonus or something you’ll do once everything else gets done. It’s important for the sake of you, and your entire family, that you take care of yourself soyou can be the best version of yourself you can be.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle doesn’t have to be a tedious or dreadful task. You can make it a family affair, and stay healthy together!
By cooking healthy meals, going for walks together as a family, and showing your children the importance of taking care of their health, you can teach your children staying healthy is fun, and a regular part of everyday life.
What are some things you do to stay healthy each day?
What is the greatest challenge you find in maintaining a healthy lifestyle?
Tell us your tips and suggestions in the comments section below.