Tips for Healthy Living (When You’re Short on Time)
As a work-at-home mom, my hands (and schedule) are full more often than not. I get up at least an hour before anyone else in the house so I can start my day with a hot cup of coffee and check my email with no interruptions. After I get the two older kids to school, my youngest and I are ready to start our day. Sometimes I have so many errands and appointments that I never even make it back to the house before lunch! After a few more trips to school and sports, it’s time for homework and then I’m off to cook dinner. When I’m constantly on-the-go, it’s hard to remember to stay on track with my health! After some reflection and thoughtful planning, I’ve found a happy balance that works (most of the time). Here are a few of the ways I stay on track:
Plan ahead. On Sundays, I sit down with the grocery ads and make a list of dinners for the week and any ingredients I need. I also check my planner to make sure that all-important events are updated in my phone calendar with reminder alarms set. If there is a day when I have little time to make dinner, I plan a slow cooker meal. The hour or two that it takes to prepare dinners for the week is well worth it if you never have to eat out!
Get enough sleep. We’ve all been told to get a full eight hours of sleep every single night, but how many actually do? A late-night here or there won’t have long-lasting effects, but consistent sleep deprivation will only decrease your ability to concentrate and focus. Make sure you wind down before drifting off so you don’t wake up 100 times during the night thinking about what’s on your To-Do List. Take a few deep breaths and try to clear your head, or use a sleep salve on your feet to help relax your mind.
Drink lots of water. If a glass of water sounds boring to you, simply add a few slices of your favorite fruit! Want to make it even easier? Make ice cubes with chunks of fruit in it, that way when you’re hustling at home trying to make that deadline you don’t need to stop and “prepare” your fruit water. Just grab a few cubes and toss them in your glass!
Find a schedule that works best for you. When I first started working at home, I tried to cram work into every spare second. It was exhausting, and my stress levels went through the roof. I quickly learned that I had to make a change. At first, I tried to stay up late to get work done, but that only cut my sleep time and made me more tired. So then I tried waking up early. I have never thought of myself as a morning person, but this works best for me! Sometimes I wake up as early as 4 am, but only if I have planned ahead and gone to bed early the night before. Find out what works best for you and stick to a schedule.
Keep healthy convenience foods on hand. If you don’t have time to cut fruit and vegetables for snacks, then buy a pre-made fruit bowl or veggie platter. They don’t have to be just for parties! You can also buy pre-made salads. They usually come with everything you need so you can take them on the go. There are many superfood salads available that include ingredients like ancient grains, plant-based proteins, nutrient-dense greens, nuts, legumes, and seeds that are rich in omega 3 and 6 fatty acids.
Keep a snack box in the car. On the days when I have to drive back and forth to school three times, take two kids to sports, and run errands, food is always forgotten. I hate eating fast food so if I don’t have time to stop at home, I usually just go without until I can. This never ends well, so I made a snack box for the car. It always has water and trail mix, those two items are my lifesavers! I try to also keep other healthy, non-perishable items in the box for the kids because most of the time, they are along for the ride as well.
Exercise wherever you can. Even though there are days when I feel as if I’m going non-stop, it doesn’t mean that I am getting exercise. Sometimes I spend 2-3 hours driving in the car, or an hour waiting for the kids at track practice. Every day you need to look around and find a way to get exercise in. It doesn’t have to be a 5-mile run, any movement will be beneficial. Park a few streets down from school and take a long walk, or walk up and down the stairs while you wait at an appointment. If you feel that you need a reminder, wear a pedometer or fitness tracker. I took a 10,000 steps challenge and was blown away and how few steps I took each day.
Dress for Success. On my busier days, I always make sure that I wear comfortable clothes and running shoes. If I’m wearing flip flops and jeans, I’m less likely to make an effort to workout or take those extra steps throughout the day. Make sure you are always prepared to get the most out of your day. If you don’t want to wear running shoes all day at least keep a pair in the car so you have an option if the situation presents itself.
Making smart choices in your daily life is an important part of healthy living. What choices do you make each day to stay healthy?
