Tips on Staying Energized for Moms
Motherhood is a demanding job; the responsibility of caring for others who so wholly depend on you is enough to wear you down on its own. Teamed up with household chores, shopping lists, overstuffed schedules, and exterior commitments, it can quickly exhaust a mom’s energy reserves. You probably got frazzled just reading that list! Sometimes finding enough energy to do even the simplest tasks can feel insurmountable. Nonetheless, you don’t have to resign yourself to a life of constant exhaustion. Some simple modifications to your daily routine can make a big difference in your motivation, mood, and productivity. Here are some tips to stay energized as a mom, brought to you by your friends at Romp n' Roll.
Get Enough Sleep
You may be laughing at this suggestion, and we completely understand; getting enough sleep sounds like an impossible goal every night when you have hyper children and a stack of responsibilities demanding your attention. But while it’s much easier said than done, allowing your body sufficient time to rest and recover during the night is truly the best way to stay energized enough to take care of your kids and to-do list in the first place. Adults need seven to eight hours to be fully rejuvenated, and most moms don’t allow themselves to get anywhere near that number. You can’t expect yourself to work at full operation if you’re too exhausted to even function. Ease into the routine of going to bed and waking up at the same time every day (or as close to the same time as you can get) and you’ll be surprised at how much more energy, focus, and positivity you’ll have when you wake up. Even if you can’t fit in a full night’s sleep, try to sneak in naps to make up the difference, whether it’s for an hour or just 20 minutes.
Exercise
Exercise is another endeavor that feels like wishful thinking for many busy moms to fit into their schedule--especially because it may seem like a contradictory idea to get up and move around when you want to just sit down and rest--but an exercise regimen will give you a mood boost and restore your body’s energy levels when you’re drained. Start with simple ten-minute workouts in the morning or at night, and gradually work your way up to a 35-to-45 minute session that you can regularly fit into your day. If you’re having trouble finding the motivation to stick with a certain routine, mix it up and find something you genuinely enjoy, such as jogging, weight lifting, walking, yoga, or swimming. You can even make it an opportunity to bond by encouraging your family to join you! If you’re consistent, soon you’ll see enough improvement in your energy levels to see you through playing with your children, household chores, work tasks, shopping trips, and whatever else life throws your way.
Drink More Water
Though this correlation isn’t as immediately obvious, dehydration and fatigue directly affect each other. When you get caught up in a fast-moving agenda it’s easy to neglect your water intake, but if you’re feeling worn out and lethargic, you should try to drink more water. Dehydration will only make you more tired than you already are. To avoid this, make sure you always have access to water by keeping a bottle or a glass nearby. Make it a habit to take sips throughout the day, especially as fatigue creeps up while you’re trying to focus on your mom duties.
Cut Back on Sugar and Caffeine
As a mom, sugar and caffeine are likely two of your best friends. The idea of cutting back on them won’t be an easy pill to swallow, but the reality is that they’re both highly influential factors on your energy level--and not in a good way. Though sugar gives you an initial rush of quick energy, it also ends up sending you into a crash that will completely drain you later on. Instead of snacking on sugary junk foods, try to settle your cravings with healthier options that will keep you fuller for longer and supplies you with more sustainable stamina. Caffeine is a similar case: you get an instant boost of high energy, but the duration of its effects vary from person to person, and once it’s subsided you’ll experience a crash. Reducing your intake of sugar and caffeine will make room for other foods and drinks that won’t leave you with a sudden energy drop in the middle of the afternoon when your kids need you the most. But you don’t have to eliminate either one from your diet entirely; indulging sparingly when you’re desperate for a pick-me-up is completely fine!
Get out of the House
If you’re a mom who finds yourself spending far too much time in the house, sometimes a change of scenery is all it takes to revitalize you. Like the idea of exercising, you might think going outside would drain you even more, but oftentimes something as simple as going for a short walk or sitting outside on the porch is enough to break the monotony and recharge your batteries. You can make it a family outing (playing at the park with the kids, going on a date with your spouse or partner, having family dinner together at a restaurant instead of at home) or you can have someone watch the kids while you take some time for yourself (going on a run, meeting up with a friend for lunch, treating yourself to a hobby). When staying indoors for too long starts to sap your energy, don’t let yourself find excuses to stay in the rut.