With so much to do, staying healthy as a mother can be challenging. Not only will your schedule be full of jobs that need to be done, but it can also be a struggle to find the energy to eat well and stay active. However, maintaining all-round health as a mother means attending to the whole of your physical, emotional and mental health. Below are a few ways to keep your wellbeing in check long into the future.
Carve Out ‘Me Time’
Being a mother is a full-time job – there’s no doubt about that. But even if you’re juggling work, household duties and parenthood all at once, you should still find ways to carve out ‘me time’. The more you’re able to give back to yourself, the more you’ll have to give to your kids. While this can be challenging when you feel at the mercy of your schedule, there are always solutions. Even if your ‘me time’ is only once a week, it is better than none at all.
Prioritise Rest
Some mothers may also roll their eyes at this one, but prioritising rest as a parent is so important. Poor sleep and lack of relaxation time can lead to burnout, weakened immunity, poor cognitive function and cardiovascular conditions. While getting rest with a newborn is often challenging, it is important for you to find time to nap or catch up on sleep at other times during the day. Rest is important for refuelling and replenishing your reserves.
Do Activities You Love
When you become a parent, it can be so easy to drop the activities you used to love doing. This is often a necessity given the new responsibilities you have with kids; however, doing what you love is important for your mental and emotional health. Too many parents give up everything for their kids, which means they are not doing anything to fuel their spirit. By denying yourself the joy of your own passion, you can put yourself at risk of resentment and depression later on.
Stay Active
Having kids means you’re often more active anyway, since they have a lot of energy to burn. However, as kids get older, you’ll want to ensure that you’re also getting in your own exercise. If you’re not a fan of the gym, try taking up a sport that you can do with your kids or your partner. The point is that you should keep moving, rather than sitting around and watching too much TV.
Spoil Yourself
As a parent, you’ll be giving so much of yourself – and rightly so. However, part of fuelling your self-esteem and mental health is to also give back to yourself. Find ways to spoil yourself occasionally, even if it’s as simple as buying holistic wellness products or a brand-new pair of shoes. Remember, you deserve it!
Eat Sensibly
Everyone knows the importance of a good diet. But it can be easy to neglect this when you have kids, as you put their needs above your own. While it can be tempting to grab fast food and quick meals during those busy times, make sure you’re eating sensibly and healthily where possible. Find ways to get everyone involved in making healthy meals together as a way of saving time. It’s also a good way to model good behaviour to your kids!