Do you wish you had better health and more energy? Perhaps you wake up some mornings and wonder how you’ll ever have the power to get through the day? Do you find yourself guzzling coffee to keep up with your kids?

I hear you, mama. Parenting children (especially young babies) is draining!

I’ve heard others say countless times, ” You have to take care of yourself in order to take care of others.”

A popular analogy is, “Give yourself an oxygen mask before you help someone else.” I’ve heard that one more times than I can count! Yet, I forget. I neglect self-care because I’m so busy caring for others around me. Sometimes, I simply need a gentle reminder or an action plan.

Here are some ways for moms to stay healthy and energetic.

photo credit: © depositphotos.com / joaquincorbalan

Get enough sleep.

It seems simple, but moms often struggle the most with sleep. Naturally, if you have a young infant, getting enough sleep will be more challenging. While this is an unavoidable season in the new mother’s life, it’s important to think of times and ways you can rest throughout the day.

For most moms, getting enough sleep may mean going to bed earlier, but the sacrifice is worth it, especially when you feel energetic the next day!

Drink enough water.

Proper hydration has a dramatic impact on energy levels. If you’re struggling to drink enough water every day, consider reading this post for tips.

Eat nutritious meals and snacks.

An adequate diet has a massive impact on your energy level. While carbohydrates and sugars may give you a quick boost, they lack the staying power of proteins found in eggs, seeds, and nuts.

Some simple suggested swaps could be:

• eggs for breakfast instead of cereal
• meat and/or avocado at lunch
• snacks of seeds, nuts, and nut butters, a couple times a day
• fresh berries and Greek yogurt (instead of sweetened yogurt)

Check out these additional snack hacks for busy moms.

Exercise.

With everything we busy moms do during the day, it can be challenging to work out or exercise regularly. In addition, if you’re exhausted, it may feel like the last thing you want to do is “waste” the little energy you have exercising.

Exercise DOES increase your energy level. After a week or two, you will feel energized by your workout routines. I promise!

Commit to finding an exercise routine that works for YOU!

Visit your physician.

Every year, you should be visiting your doctor. Blood work, a pap smear, a mammogram (if applicable), and any other relevant examinations should be performed annually. The sooner an issue is detected, the more likely it is to remedy it.

See your dentist.

While you’re scheduling doctor appointments, book a visit to the dentist, too. Proper oral care is vital to good health. Did you know that oral issues can affect the rest of your body?

The great outdoors.

Sunshine, trees, water, wildlife, plants, and flowers have a stimulating effect on our senses. If you need to feel energized, simply go out for a walk through a local park or wooded area.

Deep breathing.

Oxygen. It does wonders for your energy levels. Rather than reach for another cup of coffee, take some long, deep breaths. Fill your lungs fully and then slowly exhale. Repeat this several times.

Try this website if you feel like you can’t slow your breathing enough. It cues you when to inhale and exhale. After a minute or two of this type of breathing, you’ll feel great!

Time with friends.

Quality friendships have a tremendous impact on overall health and well-being. During the school year, I met bi-weekly with a group of wonderful ladies for Bible study. Now that it’s summer break, I already feel less energy and motivation. It’s time to schedule an outing!

We’re meant to socialize with others. Good quality friends are vital to increased energy.

Schedule time for self-care.

I can’t tell you enough how important it is to take time for yourself. If you’re struggling to schedule self-care time, maybe check out this article about making time for yourself (even if it feels like you have no time). Your physical and emotional health NEEDS to be tended to. Don’t neglect yourself.

Raising a family and running a household is demanding work. Good health and enough energy are essential. I’m confident that following some of these suggestions will improve your health and energy.

Jennifer Bly

Author of My Kitchen, My Classroom: An Introduction to Homeschool and creator of The Deliberate Mom. Jennifer writes about parenting, homeschooling, her faith, and life with her husband and two girls. Jennifer has a Bachelor of Applied Human Service Administration Degree with a specialization in Early Learning in Child Care.