For busy moms, healthy habits can be difficult to incorporate into your day when you already have your routine down. For example, you may feel intimidated by the thought of a new workout, especially if you have a tight schedule. Or maybe you want to eat healthier, but this can be expensive, which is hard if your family is on a strict budget.
However, having healthy habits isn’t just about how you stay active or the way you eat. Everything about your life matters, including having a living space that is clean and free of clutter. You also have to pay attention to your sleep patterns and that you’re getting enough, both in quality and quantity. When you treat your body well overall, you’ll feel better in just about every aspect of your life.
If it’s not already the case, getting your family on the same routine can help since everyone will be on the same page. You already know how hard it is to try and make meals for four different people with vastly different tastes and schedules. If possible, make sure your loved ones are ready to make some healthy changes right alongside you so you can all get focused together. Having moral support will help you maintain these habits and work toward new goals.
Here are a few things for moms to consider when making changes to live healthier.
Clean Home, Clear Health
You may not realize how much clutter you’ve accumulated until you start going through each room with the intent to clean things out, and all that clutter can wreak havoc on your mental health, as well as the air quality in your home. Dust, pet dander, bacteria, and other debris can live on your belongings, making it difficult to prevent allergies and other breathing issues. Not only that but also living with mess and clutter can be detrimental to your mental health, leaving you feeling stressed and even affecting your sleep.
Declutter each room, starting with the bedrooms, and give every space a thorough tidying. If you can swing it, hire a cleaning service to help out. In New York, homeowners spend an average of $116-$228 for a good deep clean. Even if it’s just once in a while, it’s a worthy investment.
Say Sayonara!
Stress and anxiety can really take a toll on the way we feel, and sometimes the best way to combat those feelings is to get away for a bit. Whether you need a full-on vacation or just a short road trip (yes, even if it’s solo or with a girlfriend!), it’s important to get a change of scenery sometimes to get the blood flowing and find inspiration again. If you’ve been feeling like you’re in a rut with your career or are having trouble sleeping due to anxiety, consider taking a trip. If you can combine an activity with it, like hiking, all the better.
Improved Gut Health = Better Mood
Scientists are continuing to find that the flora of our gut have a considerable effect on our mood and overall well-being. If a nurtured microbiome can lead to happiness and improved overall wellness, all the more reason to amp up healthier eating habits. For an easy gut health boost, look for ways to incorporate probiotics daily, whether it’s through fermented and cultured foods like yogurt and pickled vegetables or adding prebiotic and probiotic supplements.
Meditate and Melt Away Stress
When life begins to feel overwhelming, sometimes the best way to get through it is to go inward. Meditation is a wonderful way to de-stress because it allows you to focus your concentration in order to relax and push away the stressors of the world. When done in conjunction with yoga (a class usually costs between $12 and $16), it’s the perfect way to feel better overall. Find a quiet, dimly lit spot in your home and give it a try.
Healthy living might necessitate some changes on your part, but they don’t have to bring on stress. In fact, when done correctly, these changes will help you eliminate those negative feelings so that you can focus on your family, job, and personal projects while keeping your mind and body in check.
Contributed by Jennifer McGregor, publichealthlibrary.org
