It can be very stressful being a mom. No matter how you try to organize your days, there never seems to be enough time to fit everything in! It doesn’t matter who you are, where you live, or how many children you have — motherhood is challenging, but so beautiful. Here are four simple (but often forgotten) reminders for tired mamas.
Hopefully prioritizing these simple things can give you more energy to push through and stay positive.
Drink Water
Raise your hand if you never drink enough water! (Just me?!) Did you know that it’s recommended to drink 2 liters of water every day? (That’s just 8 glasses!) It may seem like a lot, but it can be really easy to reach 2 liters. To remind yourself, you can set an alarm on your phone at regular intervals during the day, write notes in your planner, or even purchase bottles that have times and/or encouraging messages to push you to drink at the right time and the right amount.
Drinking water has many benefits. First and foremost, it can help you feel more alert as your body and mind are hydrated. Water also helps keep your skin healthy and can even help you feel fuller between meals. If you’re curious, you can read about more benefits of water on Healthline.
Focus On Your Diet & Fitness
Although it may feel like you never have time, focusing on your diet and what you are putting in your body is so important. Especially when you are a mom! You don’t want to continuously eat unhealthy foods, as this will lead to several major health problems. Issues that can arise from a poor diet can include diabetes and heart disease — two things you definitely want to avoid when you are the main caretaker of your precious little ones
Fitness is just as important as diet. You can do one or the other, but if you work on both, your body will thank you for it. As a mom, it may feel like you’re too busy to exercise, but even 10 minutes a day—before the kids wake up, during nap times, once the kids are in bed, or even with the kids as a bonding activity—is better than nothing at all.
You can do exercise anywhere: at home if you can’t get a babysitter, at the gym, or you can join an exercise class that meets outside. Exercise classes are great if you don’t have the motivation to go to the gym as there are other people in the same boat as you. If you join a gym, you can take a buddy along and make create challenges for accountability and camaraderie. Gyms also have access to classes and personal trainers, who are helpful if you need that little extra push to work hard.
As you focus on your diet and fitness, you can also consider adding healthy vitamins and supplements to your diet. Be sure to find options that are right for you as every single person is different.
Get Sleep
You’ve heard this before, but I’ll say it again: Sleep is so important for you as a parent! One of the biggest (and often neglected) tips for tired mamas is to get sleep. Moms can be both physically and mentally drained by lunchtime but especially drained by the end of the day. You may get the kids to bed and then collapse on the sofa after your long hard day. You may also be holding down a full-time job alongside looking after the kids — so it’s even harder to get the rest that you need!
Adults should be getting between 7 and 9 hours of sleep every night. Failing to do so can result in your brain and body not functioning very well. And beyond the number of hours, the quality of sleep is just as important! If your sleep is disturbed then you will end up feeling more tired as you are not well-rested.
Sleep is vital for your body to function, as it’s your body’s way of recharging and repairing. A bad night’s sleep can lead to poor concentration and irritability, and continuous bad quality sleep can lead to mental health problems such as anxiety and depression.
Make Time For Yourself
One of the best reminders for tired mamas is this: make time for yourself. Making time for yourself isn’t selfish—it’s necessary. This time helps you can recharge your batteries away from the kids. Go to a coffee shop, take a walk, spend time reading, book a spa day or mini-vacation, visit with friends, go out to eat, etc. Just make time for you and what you care about! It’s also great to have adult conversations, which is much-needed if you are around the kids 24/7.
Time to yourself allows all the stresses of being a parent to melt away and gives you the chance to do the things you enjoy such as reading or puzzles. Or maybe, tired mama, you can take time to do nothing at all!
Need more tips for taking up space and staying healthy? Head to our Health & Wellness page.
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