Moms: Say Yes to More Energy
As a new Mom, you might be facing heavy fatigue and sleepy eyes. It’s something all-new Moms and busy Moms go through. Once your little one is born, you will no longer sleep for 7-8 uninterrupted hours. That’s over. You’ll also find yourself spending free time cleaning, doing laundry and picking up toys. If you’re a working Mom, add career work responsibilities to your daily routine as well. The result? An over-tired Mom.
Let’s face it, there’s so much to do and so little time. When your baby keeps you up most of the night, by three o’clock in the afternoon, you’re dragging to get through the day. Here are ten ways to keep your energy up and to make sure you get the rest you need to be the super Mom you want to be.
- Be Nice to Yourself – Be sure to allow yourself downtime, eat right, exercise and give yourself a compliment or two each morning in the mirror.
- Practice Saying No – Sometimes when a family brings home a new baby, friends, and family want to visit. Be sure to schedule guests when you feel up to it and when you have the time.
- Eat Right – Make sure every meal or snack contains protein. This will help keep your body energized and healthy. Making sure foods are rich in fiber will help too! A protein and fiber-filled diet provides sustained energy and keeps you satisfied longer. Here’s a list of foods we recommend:
- Low-fat Greek yogurt
- Blueberries
- Apples and almond butter
- Walnuts
- Salad
- Dried fruit
- Chicken / fish / turkey / lean beef
- Egg whites
- Quinoa
- Broccoli
- Cottage Cheese
- Oats
- Make a Weekly Lunch or Dinner Date – Schedule lunch with a friend, join the girls for happy hour or have a romantic dinner with your hubby. Spending time with friends and other adults will help you feel connected and will give you the oppportuity to have helpful and meaningful conversations that can relieve stress and anxieties.
- Take Power Naps – Each day, give yourself 10 – 20 minutes of shut eye to refresh.
- Call for Backup – If Grandma or the babysitter can come over and help for a couple hours, make it happen! You deserve a break from time to time and if you have help, don’t forget to use it.
- Allow Plenty of Affection – Kissing on your baby/toddler and sqeezing in extra snuggles truly helps a mother’s mind and body feel good. Giving love and feeling love is energizing all on its own and is sure to give you a boost.
- Say No to Sugar – Sugary treats may give you a high for a second but the crash is real. A tired Mom doesn’t need to feel more tired and sugar will do exactly that!
- Sleeping In on the Weekends – If you can, take advantage of the weekend and try to sleep in. During the week, train yourself to go to bed and wake up around the same time each day but on the weekends, allow yourself to sleep in a little longer.
- Exercise – Allow yourself 30 minutes a day to be active. Go for a walk, a bike ride or take a yoga class. If you’re really feeling strong do some kickboxing, aerobics or go for a run. Exercise boosts cardiovascular health, which allows you to have more endurance throughout the day.
What do you do to give yourself more energy throughout the day? Are you doing any of these ten things? Leave your comment below and share!
