Healthy Tips For Mothers

Take care of the mother and she will take care of everything else in the family.

Taking Care of Mom: Healthy Tips for Mothers

As mothers, the majority of us are more concerned with the health and wellness of our children than we are of our own health. It’s very easy for mothers to overlook their health because of the everyday responsibilities they face. For example, mothers have to make sure that the kids are up, dressed and fed before they head off to school first thing every morning. Then, for many mothers, they are off to work themselves. Once work is finished, it’s time to hurry back home and take the kids to their extracurricular activities, run errands, pick them back up, go home, fix dinner, make sure the kids’ homework gets done, they bathe and brush their teeth and are in bed at a decent hour.

Of course, all of this is excluding the extra stuff like keeping the house clean, doing laundry, paying bills, etc. Now you can probably see why many mothers aren’t concerned with their health. You may be one of these women yourself. If so, then please understand that it’s important for you to stay healthy. After all, if you get sick then who is going to get everything done? Below are some healthy tips that you need to follow to ensure your good health.

Tip #1 – Eat: Obviously, you don’t have a lot of time to eat, but this is essential to staying healthy. Most of us know that we need to eat three meals a day, but do you also know that you should be eating at least two snacks a day as well? This will keep your metabolism going and your energy levels up – so don’t skimp on your food. You should be eating healthy foods too. Things like yogurt, fruit, granola bars and nuts are quick, easy and healthy!

Tip #2 – Drink: Water that is. In addition to eating healthy foods, you need to be drinking water throughout your day. We’ve all heard the “8 glasses a day” speech so I’m not going to give it to you again. Just stay properly hydrated. It will keep your energy levels up as well as flush the impurities out of your body and ward off urinary tract infections and much more.

Tip #3 – Exercise: Your body needs exercise each day and it doesn’t care whether you’re a mother or not. Although you may find yourself busy throughout the day and exhausted at the end of the day, it’s important that you squeeze in at least 20-30 minutes of exercise each day. There are several ways you can do this. For instance, you can go on a walk after dinner, play Xbox Kinect or Nintendo Wii games with your family or enroll in a yoga class at a fitness club.

Tip #4 – Be Happy: As women and mothers, we tend to overload ourselves with work, family and worries. There isn’t much time to focus on being happy. However, this is important too. Studies have shown that, generally, happy people are healthier people. In order to become happier, consider setting aside a little time for yourself every day – or week – to do something you like doing. This time will help you feel refreshed and become happier.

Tip #5 – Sleep: Getting a good night of sleep is critical to your overall health. Sleep is when your body recharges itself. So, naturally, if you aren’t getting enough sleep you aren’t operating on a “full battery,” which means you’ll wear out quicker. It also means your body will too, which depletes your immune system. So, get the sleep you need at night.

Set Aside “Me Time”

For some reason, when many women become mothers they feel as if they don’t have any time to themselves. Not only do they feel like they don’t have any time to themselves, they also feel like they don’t have the right to ask for this time because they are a mother. However, what these women fail to see is that not only do they have the right to have “me time,” but that this time extremely important. Perhaps you are one of these women, if so, keep reading. You’ll learn why you need to set aside your own “me time.”

The first reason that every mother needs her own “me time” is because none of us are Super Woman. It is
impossible for us to deal with all of the daily demands placed on us as a wife, mother and woman without giving somewhere. After doing this day in and day out, it’s only natural that we begin to feel burned out. This is generally when we get a little “cranky.” I know you all know what I’m talking about. Therefore, it’s important that you give yourself at least 6 hours every WEEK of “me time.” It will keep you sane.

Not only will “me time” keep you sane, it will also give you time to do whatever it is you enjoy doing. It doesn’t matter if you enjoy reading romance novels, shopping, getting your nails done, going to the movies, cooking, etc. “Me time” is the time you give to yourself every week to do anything you want to do. Why is this important? So many women live life to the fullest before they get married and have kids. They know what things they enjoy doing the most – and they do them. However, when these women get married and have children they don’t have the time to do these things, and eventually, they forget all about the things they used to enjoy and, in a sense, they forget who they were. Giving yourself six hours a week will give you the ability to continue to enjoy all the things in life you enjoyed before kids.

Finally, setting aside “me time” isn’t just for your own benefit, but it’s also for your family’s benefit as well. Once you begin to carve out a little time for yourself every week, you’ll find that you’re in a better mood and less irritable. Your family will enjoy this too. In addition, whether or not you want to admit it, your children, and maybe your husband too, need to learn how to handle things on their own – without you around. Whether you decide to give yourself “me time” an hour every day or 6 hours one day a week, this time away will teach your family how to survive on their own – even if it is just for a little while.

There is one last thing you need to understand about “me time.” Setting time aside for yourself does not make you selfish or a bad mother. Don’t ever let this idea take root in your brain. You need time to yourself so that you can become a better mother. You’ll be more patient and loving as a result. You’ll also be healthier as you won’t be nearly as stressed out. So, do yourself a favor and start taking some “me time!”