Updated on June 4, 2024
Smart Thinking Lifestyle Tips. Five lifestyle tips for moms to have the best days possible as moms. Tips on what to do when you need a little mood boost.
The responsibilities of being a stay-at-home seem endless.
- Take care of and raise responsible, thoughtful children.
- Be a wife.
- Clean and maintain the home.
- Plan meals and cook.
- Run errands.
- Take care of pets.
- Keep finances on track.
- And on and on. . .
When becoming a mom, I think I completely underestimated how challenging being a stay-at-home-mom would be.
Source: Anne Taintor magnet
Often, I neglect to take care of myself. I don’t know about you, but I tend to put myself last on the list. Everyone else gets their needs met before I even think about myself.
Smart Thinking Lifestyle Tips
When you are getting ready to take off on an airplane, the flight attendant tells you, in case of an emergency, to put on your own oxygen mask before helping those around you.
I think this same theory applies to being a mom. You must help yourself if you ever plan on helping anyone else. Today, I am sharing some smart-thinking lifestyle tips for moms.
1. Get plenty of rest
This one seems like it should be easy, but it can be extremely difficult when you have small children – especially if they are not good sleepers.
I know I don’t have nearly as much patience to deal with my children and life if I am tired.
Try to get the recommended 7 – 9 hours of sleep your body needs. It might mean going to bed earlier, taking a nap when your child sleeps, or sharing some of the night-time duties with your spouse.
2. Exercise
I find it hard to fit exercise into my day, so I either wake up before my kids and work out or find ways to be active with them throughout the day. I do sit-ups or push-ups while we play on the floor.
If the weather is bad, my son and I will challenge each other on the Wii Fit. Or we can play baseball or soccer outside.
You don’t have to be a marathon runner but try to fit physical activity into each day. It can be as simple as taking a walk with the stroller or as devoted as actually working out at the gym.
Exercising makes you feel better about yourself, gives you more energy, relieves stress, and makes it easier to fall asleep at night.
3. Eat right and drink plenty of fluids
I am by no means a perfect, super-healthy eater. I try to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables and limit fat and sugar.
For me, it is important to allow myself small treats as a part of my normal diet. I don’t feel deprived and don’t feel the need to pig out on junk food.
Be sure to eat breakfast. It will jump-start your metabolism and set you up to not overeat the rest of the day.
Drink lots of water. I have noticed that I am incredibly sluggish and don’t feel quite right if I don’t get enough to drink throughout the day.
Substitute water for sugary drinks and soda whenever you can. Add a slice of lemon or lime to make your water more exciting.
I like to drink sparkling water for a treat. I get the carbonation I crave without all the other bad stuff.
4. Nurture your relationships
Carve out kid-free time with your spouse.
If you are on a budget, you don’t have to go out. You can have a “date night” at home after you put the kids to bed.
Even just spending 15 minutes every day talking to one another with no distractions can do wonders to keep your relationship fresh and new.
Make time for your friendships. It can feel very isolating when you are home alone with your kids all day.
There is something to be said for having adult conversations! And knowing you are not alone in what you are feeling or dealing with can be a tremendous mood booster.
5. Schedule time for yourself EVERY day
This is the one I personally have the hardest time with. It is completely necessary to do something YOU love to do each and every day.
Give yourself a pedicure, take a hot bubble bath, read a romance novel, flip through the pages of your favorite magazine, sing, dance, watch your favorite show, or do something crafty.
Only you will know what recharges your batteries. Finding time to do something for yourself will make a world of difference in having something to offer your spouse and children.
Tracysthoughts.tumblr.comYou might have to carve out time for this, and as a result, something else has to give. Remember, the laundry and sticky floors will still be there tomorrow.
Having a happy, well-adjusted mom and wife is absolutely necessary!
As moms (and women), I think we often feel guilty about putting our needs first. But, if you can realize you are helping out everyone in your entire family by taking care of yourself, it will go a long way to ease some of that guilt. It is okay to put yourself first.
What do you do to take time for yourself?
I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective. To learn more about Tervis, visit their website https://www.tervis.com. Thanks to Tervis for sponsoring my writing.
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Erin says
Great post Laura! Everything you said was spot on! Getting enough sleep is the hardest thing for me. I stay up way too late enjoying my “no kid” time!
Thanks for your sweet comment on my blog. :)