Wellness Tips and Tricks for Moms: The Ultimate Guide
Starting anything new can be tough, trust me, I've been there. But don't sweat it, today we're breaking down my top wellness tips and tricks for moms – everything you need to get started with on your wellness journey with confidence.
I don’t know about you but as a mom, it’s so easy for me to neglect my wellness. Despite my best efforts, sometimes my self-care plan slips through the cracks.
However, the more I neglect my self-care routine, the more I’m back to my unhealthy habits and move closer and closer to burnout territory.
That’s why I have tools and systems in place to bring me back on track and better take care of my wellness.
Before we go deeper into this guide to better wellness, be sure to grab my Letting Go of Mom Guilt Journal so you can ditch that mom guilt and have no qualms against carrying out the wellness routine you deserve. Sign up below:
Understanding Wellness
To kick things off, let's dive into what wellness is all about.
Wellness isn’t just about being physically healthy; it’s a holistic approach that includes physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
Even though wellness is a buzzword now, the concept of wellness is far from new. It has roots in ancient civilizations, where it was believed that health encompassed a balanced mind, body, and spirit.
Today, wellness aims to help individuals thrive, not just survive, by promoting a healthier lifestyle. The practice of wellness is aimed at preventing illness and disease because, as we all know now, being healthy doesn’t just mean the absence of disease.
Many people, not just moms, think wellness is about strict diets and keeping up with the latest trends (ex., wellness shots), but it’s much more than that.
Wellness is about making time for yourself, managing stress, getting enough sleep, and nurturing your mental health.
Of course, aim to eat healthy, drink lots of water, and exercise when you can but don’t go thinking that those are the only ways you can practice wellness.
In reality, wellness is personal and can be as simple as taking a walk, meditating for a few minutes, or enjoying a hobby.
I’ll throw in more wellness tips and tricks for moms throughout this post don’t you worry!
My Personal Journey with Wellness
Practicing wellness has been a journey I’ve embarked on since way before becoming a mom.
My relationship with my body and the on-again, off-again relationship with smoking are my biggest struggles when it comes to my health and wellness.
These issues became worse for me after giving birth.
When I found out I was pregnant, quitting was easy, but when my son was drinking less breastmilk, I picked up the habit again.
Luckily, I’ve quit recently, reminding myself that relapsing is all part of the process toward change. The trick is to relapse infrequently.
Additionally, the sleepless nights and constant worrying after having my son made me realize I was neglecting myself.
When I realized just how exhausted I was making myself, I knew things had to change. I had to start with self-compassion and a consistent and manageable plan for my wellness.
I started small – drinking more water, going for short walks, and setting aside a few minutes each day for myself.
These small changes made a big difference.
I feel more energized, less stressed, and more present with my baby most days. It wasn’t always easy, but prioritizing my well-being allowed me to be a better mom.
Today, I do a lot to distract myself from wanting a cigarette and I go to the gym a couple times a week now that I have more energy to do so.
Common Pitfalls (and How to Overcome Them)
When it comes to wellness, it’s not all sunshine and roses. Here are some of the common obstacles beginners face and (more importantly) how to overcome them!
- Lack of Time: As a new mom, finding time for yourself can feel impossible. Overcome this by integrating wellness into your daily routine. For example, do a quick workout while the baby naps or meditate for a few minutes before bed.
- Mom Guilt: Many moms feel guilty taking time for themselves. Remember, taking care of yourself is essential for taking care of your baby/children. Reflect on these thoughts and remind yourself that self-care is not selfish.
- Overwhelm: The idea of changing your lifestyle can be overwhelming. Start small with manageable changes, like drinking more water or going for a short walk daily.
- Inconsistency: As I mentioned at the beginning of this blog post, it’s easy to start strong, and then fall off the wagon. Set realistic goals and create a routine that fits your lifestyle. If you do fall off the wagon though, don’t reprimand yourself. It’s part of the cycle of change to “relapse” so just remember it’s normal and you can get yourself back on track.
Mom Wellness Tips for Success
Now onto my favourite part – some golden wellness tips and tricks for moms that I wish someone had told me when I was in the thick of postpartum.
- Set Realistic Goals: Start with small, achievable goals. Instead of committing to an hour of exercise every day, start with 10 minutes and gradually increase.
- Create a Routine: Consistency is key. Establish a daily routine that includes time for self-care, even if it’s just a few minutes.
- Stay Hydrated: Drinking enough water can significantly impact your energy levels and overall well-being.
- Prioritize Sleep: Sleep is crucial for your mental and physical health. Create a bedtime routine that helps you wind down and ensure you’re getting enough rest. I know it’s tempting to stay up late so you can savour the quiet time, but it’s better to go to bed earlier so you can ensure you get 7-8 hours of sleep and perhaps wake up before your little one!
- Seek Support: Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Whether it’s from a partner, family member, or friend, having a support system can make a big difference. I talk a bit about delegating in this blog post.
Your Next Steps for Better Wellness as a Mom
So you've soaked in all the wellness tips and tricks we’ve covered so far... What's next? Here’s a foolproof roadmap for your next steps in wellness:
- Assess Your Current Wellness: Take a moment to evaluate where you are in terms of physical and emotional health. You can also look at your spiritual, environmental, financial, etc. wellness. You can find wellness assessments online, like this one.
- Set Your Goals: Set realistic and achievable wellness goals based on your assessment. How much sleep do you want every night? How much do you want to weigh? How often do you want to see friends? Get a massage?
- Create a Plan: Based on your goals, develop a plan that includes daily routines, self-care activities, and ways to manage stress.
- Track Your Progress: Keep a journal to track your progress and reflect on your journey. I like to track how many ounces of water I drink and use a habit tracker to see how consistent or inconsistent I'm with practices like meditation and journaling.
- Adjust as Needed: Be flexible and adjust your plan as necessary. Life with a child can be unpredictable, so it’s important to adapt.
Conclusion
These wellness tips and tricks for moms should help you on your journey to better wellness.
This journey is going to be challenging, sure – but it’s also going to be one of the most rewarding things you'll do. You’ll pick up speed and then slow down again, but that’s all part of the process of change.
Remember, every expert was once a beginner.
If you’re serious about mastering wellness but feel guilty for taking time for yourself, you won't want to miss out on my Letting Go of Mom Guilt Journal. It includes various prompts that will help you work on your beliefs about how you should use your time as a busy mom. Ready for the expressway to better wellness? Grab the journal here or sign up below:
WANT MORE? CHECK THESE OUT:
The Hardest Lessons I Had to Learn About Mom Guilt
Setting Boundaries: One Thing Moms Should Do for Greater Confidence
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