Being a Healthy and Happy Mom

Mothers deserve to be healthy and happy too. This might go without saying, but many parents become so focused on their responsibilities that they forget to stop and take a second to look after themselves. Perhaps you find yourself relating to that. But you can do so much more for your children and yourself if you simply start valuing your wellbeing and doing more to take care of yourself. So, is your desire to be a happy mother? Well, here are a few suggestions.

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Aim to eat a balanced diet

Whether you’re a parent or not, eating well is so difficult in the modern world. Many of us struggle to eat the right kind of food because there are so many conflicting messages in the media as to what we should or shouldn’t be eating. The problem is that many fad diets promise to help you lose the pounds quickly, but they often aren’t very healthy. There’s no point in losing weight quickly if you adopt a diet that won’t give you the sustenance you need in the long-run. Otherwise, you’ll just end up bouncing back to your old eating habits and putting the weight back on. Your main focus needs to be the healthiness of the food you eat. Eating a balanced and nutritious diet might not help you lose weight as quickly as many fad diets, but it will help you achieve a healthy weight on a permanent basis.

The key is to eat as many whole foods as possible. Most food in the modern world is processed or altered to some extent, but whole foods are much more organic and nutritious than many of the manmade foods you’ll find out there. Opt for fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes. That’s how you’ll get the vitamins and nutrients you need. Get more broccoli and carrots in your meals. Instead of meat at every meal, swap out animal protein for plant-based protein. Think of creative ways to get nutrition from your meals in ways that are healthier for your body. A healthier gut will make you happier too. The food in our bellies influences our minds in many ways.

I have personally found that if I eat healthier, I sleep better. This one change goes a long way to me being a happy mom.

Find a way to stay active every day

This is the key to a regular exercise routine. You don’t have to buy an expensive gym membership if you don’t have the time or willpower for that. You just have to motivate yourself to exercise in some sense every day. 15-30 minutes of physical activity could make all the difference. That’s barely any time to take out of your day, and it’s an activity that’ll benefit your physical and mental health both in the present and the future. You’ll feel the difference in your mind. It causes a release of endorphins in the brain, so you’ll start feeling happier and more motivated. Don’t overthink the physical activity. Maybe you could do some push-ups when you wake up. You could go for a quick 10-minute run during your lunch break. You could do weekly yoga classes with your friends so as to turn exercise into a fun social event. If you aren’t ready to exercise in public, dancing in your living room for 15 minutes a day will get you much-needed exercise.

Of course, many moms struggle to get back into an exercise routine following the birth of their kids. It’s partly due to the responsibilities of bringing up a child, but it can also be a matter of low self-esteem. Your body changes after giving birth, and you might not feel quite as confident in your appearance. But that’s no reason to give up on your health. Perhaps you’ve lost your figure following the birth of your child, but you should do some research on separation of the rectus abdominis. Your toned physique can be regained. The main thing is simply that you exercise for the sake of your health. It doesn’t just have benefits for the appearance of your body. Staying physically active every day can keep your heart and your mind healthy. It keeps your body working as it should. Plus, going outside and getting some vitamin D from the sun will boost your energy and immune system.

Spend time with your children

This one goes without saying, of course. One of the best ways to being a healthy and happy mom is to simply be present with your kids. Put down your phone and just enjoy spending time with your little ones. And we’re not talking about the practical side of parenting; you don’t just have to spend time with your children when you’re clothing them, feeding them, or driving them to school. Take some time to have fun with your little ones. Play some games as a family. Talk and laugh. This is good for both their growth and your personal emotional health. There’s no greater joy than seeing the joy in your own children.

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Value the importance of alone time

Another essential step towards being a healthy and happy mother is learning to value the importance of alone time. We talked about the importance of spending time with your kids in the previous point, but you need to take time for yourself too. Simply having a cup of coffee on your own is a valuable use of your time. Taking 5 minutes for yourself can help you to recharge and tackle the day with a new sense of purpose, whether you’re at home or work. Don’t dismiss the importance of your emotional wellbeing when it comes to your overall health. A little bit of alone time is important. Perhaps that’ll come in the form of a short bath at the end of the day, once the kids are in bed. Perhaps it’ll come in the form of catching up on your favorite Netflix show in the evening. Whatever your chosen route to relaxation, learn to value the importance of alone time if you want to start valuing your mental health.

Don’t be afraid to reach out for help

Even the best moms need a helping hand now and again. This could be anything from asking a friend or family member to look after your kids for a couple hours to seeking out professional help if you’re experiencing feelings of depression or anxiety. Finding someone to help can be as easy as searching depression therapy near me and having a look at the websites that pop up. Some moms reject help out of pride or because they feel it is a form of weakness. This can lead to mental and physical health problems becoming worse until the inevitable burnout or panic attack hits. 

Make sure that you take action before this happens. The proud and brave thing to do is to get help. When it comes to getting mental health support, take time to explore your options – there are medical and natural treatments for anxiety that you can look into. When it comes to seeking help from friends and family, consider the people that you trust most in your life. 

Stop unhealthy behavior

You could also do more for your physical and emotional health by stopping unhealthy behavior. We’ve talked a little bit about this already in terms of eating better and getting off the couch to exercise more frequently. But you also need to think about the habits that might be damaging your health. For instance, you might eat well and exercise, but if you’re smoking or drinking a lot of alcohol then you’re still going to be damaging your health. Good habits don’t outweigh bad habits. You need to cut back or stop any behavior that might be negatively impacting your long-term wellbeing.

Remember taking care of yourself is not selfish! Employing just one or two of these tips will go a long way to you being a happy mom! Take action one today and begin seeing results!