There is no denying that the life of a mother can be hectic at the best of times. With so much on our plates, it can be easy to let self-care slip. Before we know it, we have picked up bad habits that could be having a detrimental impact on our health.
If you are a busy mum who is worried about her health, then this article is here to help. Today, we will be discussing some vital steps that you should be taking to encourage a healthier lifestyle.
Find Time for Exercise
For some of us, the thought of exercise can be quite daunting. When we think of exercise our minds often go to the gym and the thought of exercising in front of a room full of people can be totally off-putting. Luckily, there are plenty of ways that you can squeeze some exercise into your day without an audience and some of them may be a lot easier than you think. Home workouts will suit you well. Exercise is hugely important, and we should all find time during the day to give it a go. Not only does it significantly improve your health, but it also reduces your risk of developing diseases such as cancer and diabetes.
If you need some inspiration, it is worth conducting some online research to find out some exercises that you can do at home. You may be surprised to know that simply running up and down your stairs for a few minutes is enough to make you break a sweat!
Take Time to Do the Things You Enjoy
When we discuss the topic of health we are not just talking about the physical aspects. It is also hugely important that you prioritise your mental health. As mothers, we can often stop to make time for ourselves. Instead of doing the things that we enjoy the most, we are engrossed in family life. Although there is nothing wrong with making time for your family, it is important that you try to take some time to do the things that you love, which may include self-care practices or medical procedures like vaginal rejuvenation if that is something you are interested in.
Not only can engaging in a hobby help you to de-stress, but it can also give you a large sense of fulfilment. For instance, if you love playing tennis then go and enjoy a game from time to time. You don’t have to feel guilty about engaging in an activity that you enjoy and sometimes it’s nice to escape the children for a couple of hours!
Stay On Top of Wellness Checks
As life gets busier, it can become easier for us to skip past our wellness checks. However, this could have a detrimental impact on your health as you grow older. Wellness checks such as smear tests, breast exams and diabetic screenings hold huge importance. Not only can health screenings identify any underlying health issues that you may have, but they can also help you identify a problem early, before it gets out of hand. That way, you can work to treat it quickly. This is especially important if you already know that you have a health condition that needs looking after properly. An example of this would be if you regularly need ulcerative colitis infusion therapy, you need to make sure you’re getting it. Just because you are a mother now, doesn’t mean that you do not matter anymore, and that your health doesn’t matter anymore.
As well as staying on top of these types of wellness checks, you may also want to upgrade your calendar with your next scheduled eye tests, hearing tests and dental checks. Attending your appointments regularly will help to keep you and your family as healthy as possible. Seek out a reputable family dentist in your area and book in a check up for you and your children as soon as you can. It’s important to get your little ones used to dentist visits as it will make the process much easier as they grow up.
If you are unsure on where to get a health screening, such as a mammogram. You can find plenty of mammogram locations with the help of this article from Ezra. If you are ever unsure on where to go for your health check-ups, you should always consult with your doctor and don’t be afraid to do your research online.
It’s also important not to suffer in silence. It’s easy to think that you shouldn’t worry too much about chronic pain because it’s something that everyone has to endure. However, this isn’t the case and you do need to make sure that you are looking at the orthopedic services available near you to ensure that you get the checks and support you need in this type of situation.
Make Changes to Your Everyday Diet
It can be easy to slip into bad habits when it comes to our diet. On the days that we are rushed off our feet it can be tempting to opt for a takeaway or to throw some unhealthy frozen food in the oven. However, it is time to start putting more thought into what you eat. Not only will this benefit you, but also your family. There are an abundance of quick and healthy recipes available online at the click of a button. Some of them may surprise you at just how easy they are.
It is also important as mothers, that we are getting our three meals a day. Often, it can be easy to skip out on breakfast or lunch. However, it is important to remember that your body needs fuel, so you have the energy to get up and go each day. If you are someone who skips meals, it’s time to change that habit today. It’s also important to know how much sodium you should have in your daily protein.
Practice De-Stressing Activities
Stress is something that we all experience in our lives from time to time. However, it is important to note that stress can have a negative impact on our health. You may be surprised to know that preventing and managing long-term stress can lower your risk of serious health conditions like heart disease, depression and high blood pressure.
It is important that you can take some time to practice de-stressing activities. These activities will vary from person to person. For example, some people may find reading a book gives them peace and tranquillity, whilst others may find a spot of yoga can help them to feel more relaxed. It can also help to try and identify your stress triggers. Once you are aware of what they are, you can try to avoid them moving forward. For instance, if grocery shopping is a stress trigger you could start planning a list of what you need so you can be in and out of the shop a lot quicker.
Prioritize Sleep
Ok, so this last step is not always easy. Especially if you have children who love to get up during the night. However, the importance of a good night’s sleep cannot be ignored. As well as helping you fight signs of ageing, a healthy sleep pattern also promotes mental alertness and helps you to maintain your stress levels. If you are someone who struggles to get a good night’s sleep then it can benefit you to create a night-time routine.
There are plenty of helpful blog and articles out there which can help you to create a healthy bedtime routine to aid your sleep. Simple steps like reading a book before bedtime and putting down your electronic devices can make a huge difference.