10 Need-to-Know Tips for Staying Healthy as a Mother

Being a mom is the best job in the world. It comes with more benefits than even the loftiest executive positions at the most lucrative multinational corporations and brings about more fun and excitement than any thrill-seeking vacation.

Of course, motherhood is also the most stressful and exhausting occupation on the planet. With so much focus and energy going into taking care of the kids, moms tend to inadvertently overlook their own well-being. The following tips will help you cater to your own health, so you’ll have plenty of stamina to keep up with the little ones and be there for them as long as possible.

1) Don’t Do It Alone

Being healthy is a long-term investment. Sometimes, finding the extra time and energy to devote to it can be a challenge all its own. Even the most experienced moms need a little help here and there. The healthy mom blog could make all the difference. It’s essentially a support group and endless fountain of expert information all rolled into one.

2) Take Your Vitamins

Reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicate more than 90 percent of America’s adult population exhibits signs of vitamin deficiencies. Even those who pay close attention to their nutritional intake are at risk because getting the right amounts of vitamins and minerals from foods and beverages alone is virtually impossible.

Be sure to take a multivitamin daily. Though you may not notice a dramatic difference in the way you feel immediately after starting a vitamin regimen, it’ll be evident over time. You’ll begin to feel more energized and less achy and may even find you lose less hair when showering or styling. Under the visible surface, your immune system will be building strength to fight off illnesses as well.

3) Stay Hydrated

Dehydration can cause a number of adverse health effects, including fatigue, dizziness, and confusion based on numerous medical reports. Currently, the daily water intake recommendation for women is at least two liters. If you work out regularly or sweat a great deal, more is better.

4) Eat Nutritious Foods

Frozen dinners and prepackaged snacks are fast, simple and convenient, which is why so many of us make them a go-to resource. Unfortunately, they’re often packed with sodium and preservatives and sorely lacking in nutritional value. While it’s okay to fall back on them from time to time, they shouldn’t become staples in your kitchen.

Consider choosing one day each week to set aside time to chop up fresh fruits and veggies for snacks for the entire week. Divide them into small Ziploc bags for the sake of convenience. While you’re portioning out snacks, don’t hesitate to slice and dice some fresh veggies to incorporate into meals as well.

5) Don’t Forgo Meals

Eating a hearty breakfast kick-starts metabolism and sets you up to tackle whatever the day holds in store. Healthy lunches and dinners help keep energy levels high, and nutritious snacks in between meals prevent blood sugar drops along the way. Skipping meals has quite the opposite effect.

Sit down and eat with the kids instead of using their mealtimes as opportunities to do laundry and straighten up the house. Doing so will help ensure you’re getting adequate nutrition and give you a few minutes to rest and unwind here and there.

6) Take the Stress out of Dinnertime

Obviously, being sure your family gets adequate amounts of essential nutrients is important. That being said, preparing a nutritious meal takes the time we often don’t have at the end of the day. Finding options the children won’t balk can be even more stressful.

Keep in mind, the slow cooker is your friend. Simply toss in those fresh meats, veggies, herbs, and spices after breakfast, and they’re ready to eat when dinnertime rolls around. Slow cooker models are available to fit families of all sizes, and those with removable crocks make for easier cleanup after the fact.

7) Get Your Exercise

Experts recommend getting at least 30 minutes of exercise each day. As is the case with most healthy activities, though, finding the time to follow through isn’t always easy. Mini workouts count toward this total. Even walking the kids to the bus stop or taking a quick power stroll around the neighborhood can foster well-being.

8) Get Plenty of Rest

Getting adequate amounts of rest is laughable for most moms, but a lack of sleep is a leading factor in anxiety, depression, irritability, poor concentration and a wide range of other negative health effects. Studies have also shown it to be a culprit in increased risks of automobile crashes and accidents around the house, including falls and serious lacerations to name a couple. Don’t put off bedtime in favor of getting a few extra chores done at the end of the day.

9) Make Time for Yourself

Experts recommend setting aside at least two or three hours each week for yourself. Once a week, have dad take over for a few hours or ask grandma to intervene. Use the time to enjoy a soothing bubble bath infused with your favorite essential oils, curl up with a good book, have lunch with the girls or take an extra nap. It’ll work wonders for your physical health and morale.

10) Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff

No doubt you’ve heard the phrase, “pick your battles” tossed around quite a bit. This couldn’t be truer for moms. Kids don’t always agree with their parents’ decisions, and parents don’t always understand their children’s lines of reasoning.

Take a stand over the real issues, but don’t be afraid to let the little ones go. Those unnecessary battles generate potentially detrimental stress and elevated blood pressure levels among other negative effects.

 

All Things Considered

Moms are notorious for allowing the health of their families to take precedence over their own. It’s just in their nature. Still, if you’re not healthy, you can’t properly care for your family. Taking care of yourself is sure to work out in everyone’s favor.

Image by Марина Вельможко from Pixabay