If you’re anything like me, you spend so much time taking care of your child or children that you reach the end of the day exhausted and wonder where your day went.
While this does make the days just seem fly by, it can also lead to us as mothers not taking care of our bodies like we need to. This can lead to fatigue, burnout, or even depression.
Being a mom can be hard, and when we don’t take good care of our own health, it can be harder to care for those we love.
Don’t worry, there are some simple steps you can take to support your health in the midst of all the chaos. Today I will show you 10 things you can do to support your health as a stay-at-home mom.
Eat actual meals
Believe it or not, actually eating food helps your body run better.
If all you’re surviving on is that half cup of coffee you drink before it got cold because you were running around chasing a toddler, no wonder you feel exhausted.
Sitting down and eating a meal that contains a healthy balance proteins, fats, and carbs can keep your body going through anything the day might throw at it.
Stay hydrated
While coffee or energy drinks may appear to predominantly contain water, they have the opposite effect once they enter your body.
The caffeine in them acts as a diuretic that your body then processes and sends for you to pee out. They may quench your thirst at the moment, but when they are your primary liquids, they can actually dehydrate you.
Get enough sleep
Studies have shown that if you don’t get enough sleep, you can actually act quite similarly to how you would act if you were drunk. No one wants that.
Getting enough sleep can both improve your daily life as well as your health. Your present and future selves will thank you.
Make nutritious meals
Just like making sure to actually eat throughout the day, the quality of what you eat matters.
While some potato chips and a bowl of cereal and milk may count as “actual“ meals and some days, they’re not really providing your body with what it needs.
Incorporating less-processed foods including meat, fruits, vegetables, and dairy products (that aren’t laden with sugar) can help your body heal itself and function better overall.
Get moving
Humans weren’t designed to be couch potatoes. They were designed to move throughout the day as they accomplish the daily tasks.
While some of your tasks may not require much movement, there are plenty of ways to incorporate getting active in your daily routine.
These include:
- walking in place while washing dishes
- playing with your children,
- walking up and down stairs to do laundry
Work standing up
If you do happen to have a part-time work-at-home job, look for some ways to not have to sit the time while you’re working.
Maybe you can take a walk while you’re on a phone call, or use a standing desk if you do have desk work.
Spend time outside
Most kids love spending outside, so getting yourself outside to play with them can help you get some activity it.
If it’s summertime, consider having a water balloon fight or splash in the pool with the kids. Winter is the perfect time for snowball fights and building snowmen!
Take a walk
When the weather is nice, taking my son on a walk was one of my favorite ways to get some activity in when I was pregnant with my daughter.
If you have older children, let them walk alongside you and put the youngest in a stroller and/or baby carrier.
I love using my carrier with babies because I can get outside more with my toddler and have the added benefit of the baby’s weight as some resistance.
Rest when you need to
While getting some physical activity are both good things, don’t burn yourself out by doing too much.
If you’re pregnant or newly postpartum, you might not be able to be as active as you use to be.
Listen to your body and stop when you need to. Burning yourself out by doing too much, whether it’s household chores or exercising, won’t help you stay healthy.
Don’t sweat the small stuff
I know what you’re thinking. That’s easy for her to say.
You’re right. I don’t know what you’re going through.
But I do know that if you let the little things that pop up daily keep you weighed down, you won’t be able to focus on taking care of your body.
When something comes up, ask yourself “does worrying about this make anything better?” Chances are, it doesn’t.
While there will be some things that come up that will cause us some stress, how we approach them will have a great impact on how they affect our lives.
