Before you have kids, you hear about how difficult motherhood is nearly every day. Well, I will be the first to tell you that no description could possibly compare to how challenging it really is! For a lot of us, it can be a natural instinct to let your own health and self-care slip in order to manage all of the other things on our list. One of my personal goals is to continue to work toward maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Here are some of the products, tips, and tricks I’m using to prioritize my own health.
Maintaining My Mental Health
My struggle with anxiety, depression, and infertility PTSD affects me every day. I know that a lot of mums, including myself sometimes, feel a lot of guilt for being anything but happy and joyful. Especially after all of the trials we went through to get pregnant, sometimes I tell myself that I’m ungrateful if I feel any anxiety or sadness. But that is just not true! Being a mum doesn’t limit the range of emotions you can and should feel! I know that one of the most important things I can do for my family is to recognize my emotions and prioritize my mental health. Some of the things I’m prioritizing are:
Meditation
Having a regular meditation practice can help calm anxiety, improve your mindset, and give you clarity. Don’t get me wrong, it’s really difficult to start, especially when you have toddlers running around the house! My biggest tip is to just keep trying. If you get interrupted two minutes in on day one, don’t give up! You’ll figure out a time and place that works for you!
Some things you might want to have on hand for your practice:
Sleeping Well
I’ve struggled with insomnia for a long time, so I know when I’m getting a really good night’s sleep. When I do, I feel such an improvement in my mental health. I’ve already put together a list of my favorite products for a restful night’s sleep, but here are some other tips that I’ve been practicing lately:
- Putting my phone away 30 minutes before bed. I know this one is hard! But it’s a huge help.
- Using an oil diffuser with lavender oil in my bedroom.
- Waking up to a sunrise alarm clock rather than a harsh noise.
Maintaining My Financial Health
One of the most stressful aspects of, well, life is managing money. Part of building a healthy lifestyle is maintaining financial health to a point where you can feel at peace and are able to take care of yourself and your kids in an emergency. Some ways I’m working on my mental health are:
- Using a visual budget planner to help me keep track of my finances.
- Reading books that challenge my financial mindset.
- Giving myself grace when I make a not-so-great financial decision.
Maintaining My Physical Health
I, too, have horrible flashbacks from every “health” article being about achieving the unachievable perfect bod. This is not that! These are my tips for maintaining a healthy lifestyle without factoring weight into the equation:
Eat Healthy Foods
One of the ways you can avoid slipping into disordered eating habits is by prioritizing adding nutritious foods rather than restricting unhealthy foods. Some of the ways I make sure I’m prioritizing a nutrient-dense diet are:
- Having easy-to-clean cooking equipment so I love cooking at home.
- Having a no-taste veggie powder on hand to add to my less nutritious meals.
- Following creators who highlight nutrient-dense recipes.
Move My Body Every Day
I recently posted about my mindful morning routine. One priority I set for myself is to get 10 minutes of movement every single morning (preferably in the sunshine!). Getting movement each day isn’t about doing a HIIT workout or sculpting abs. It’s just about getting activity and all of the neurological benefits of movement and activity. Here are some things that help me:
- Learn about the importance of mobility and movement.
- Have a reliable pair of sneakers that remind me to get myself moving!
- Use a timer and a fitness watch to help me track my activity time.
I’ve put together a full list of healthy lifestyle items over on my Amazon storefront. The most important part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle as a mum? Let yourself try, try again! If you do something that makes you feel unwell, don’t beat yourself up. Just try to avoid it tomorrow. Give yourself all of the love and compassion you can. You deserve it!
xoxo Fil
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