It’s so important we find ways to fill up our own cup as a mama. We put all of our focus on the health and wellness of our children and before we know it we have hit a wall. We are exhausted, fatigued burnt out and in a lot of cases we can become deficient in many essential vitamins, minerals and nutrients.
When I first speak to mums a lot of them struggle to wrap their head around any self-care for themselves.
The very first thing they say to me is "I feel guilty or selfish when I take time for myself" or focus on my own health.
What if I told you taking care of you is not only essential for your own health and wellness but also the health and wellness of your family.
Filling up our own cups first is an important part of taking care of ourselves, but it is also key to being able to help others. When we prioritize our own health, wellbeing, and self-care, we create an overflowing cup that allows us to give to others from a place of abundance.
As a mother we are one of the hearts of the home. It's up to us as parents to create the standard of living for our family. The best way to do this is through prioritising our own health and wellness.
When we take care of ourselves, we are better able to show up for our children and give them the caring, attentive, and consistent parenting they need.
Self-care can also help us to manage our stress more effectively, maintain healthy relationships with our family, and think more clearly and calmly when faced with those difficult situations.
Parenting will continually test us but being in the right frame of mind physically and mentally will help us get through those situations with less tension.
Ultimately, taking time for yourself and prioritising your health helps you become the best version of yourself so that you can be the best mama for your children. So it’s important to remember that your own health and self care is essential and you should not feel guilty when prioritising this.
Nourishing self-care tips for Mama’s
🥦 Prioritise whole-foods and nourishing meals
Ensuring you are prioritising well balanced meals which include protein, carbs, healthy fats and veggies/fruit is essential. This is the best way to fuel your body with energy, to help balance your hormones and to ensure you are getting the vitamins and minerals you need.
One of my favourite ways to ensure I meet my daily fruit and veg intake is through smoothies. Smoothies are an incredible way to boost our nutrient intake and get a variety of vitamins and minerals into our system. The smoothie range by Le Puree has done all the hard work for us. Each flavour has an incredible combination of whole-foods, including a wide variety of essential vitamins and minerals for optimal mama health.
☀️ Morning sunlight and fresh air
This is one of my favourite daily practises and it’s something I recommend to all of my mama clients. Get outside first thing in the morning and sit in the sun while you take some deep breaths of fresh air. Morning sunlight exposure has been linked to many physical and emotional benefits.
- It balances our circadian rhythm which in turn actually helps us sleep better at night.
- It can enhance your mood by releasing serotonin and dopamine (our feel-good hormones)
- Increases the body’s absorption of Vitamin D which in turn supports your immunity.
This is something you can do every day that is so simple yet so powerful towards our health and wellbeing.
🏃🏼♀️ Prioritise body movement and exercise
This doesn’t need to be an intense exercise routine or even involve the gym. Any form of movement and any amount of minutes are beneficial for your health and wellbeing. You could start with some short walks around your neighbourhood. Or some at home yoga and Pilates while you play on the floor with your little one. Moving your body around and being more active is essential not only for your physical health but also for you mental wellbeing. Movement increases our energy and boosts our mood.
✨ Don’t be afraid to ask for help & schedule in time for you
This can be really hard in the beginning but always remember… taking this time for yourself doesn’t just benefit you, it also benefits your family. When you take time for you, you are able to come back to your family refreshed, grounded and happier.
You are your biggest advocate. You have to be able to ask for help. You don’t have to do it all.
Remember to keep things simple and sustainable. This way you can create healthy habits that will stick but importantly, you will enjoy and look forward too.
