So many cliches about motherhood are true, like “the days are long, but the years are short” and “it takes you twice as long to do anything once you have kids.” But, another cliche I’ve found to be true (and in my opinion, this one is above all the rest): “Always put your oxygen mask on first.” Motherhood is not for the faint of heart. It is physically, emotionally, and mentally taxing. So, if we don’t take care of ourselves, how can we be the best mothers to our little ones? In my short season as a new mom to Collins, I’ve tried to stay consistent with a handful of habits to make sure I am staying healthy and strong for her. Join me by implementing these tips and tricks to stay healthy as a mom.
How to Stay Healthy as a Mom
Staying healthy doesn’t have to be complicated or difficult. It just requires a little bit of intentionality and planning ahead. Use these tips to stay healthy as a mom:
- Move Your Body
One of the most basic ways to stay healthy as a mom is to keep moving your body! This might look different from your pre-mama life, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. Grab the stroller and the dog and take morning walks around your neighborhood. Or, while the kids are napping or at school, follow a home workout program. The goal is to move your body on a daily basis– it doesn’t have to be intense or strenuous.
This may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I love pilates. I splurged for private lessons because I can actually bring Collins with me! We also have a newport peach that offers mama + baby barre classes where you strap the baby into your carrier and get to work! Lastly, my favorite short form workouts lately are on the Katie Austin app. I love her energy, recipes, and the workouts are quick and fun, so I don’t dread them.
- Prep Meals
Cooking nutritious meals every day can feel like a full-time job on its own. However, eating a nutrient-dense diet is key to staying healthy. This is especially true if you are breastfeeding and want to keep your supply up! Instead of cooking daily, I highly recommend cooking in larger batches. Use tupperware to store food in the fridge to eat for a few days or place it in the freezer for future meals. Nowadays, you can also find many meal prep services that will do all the cooking for you! My recent fave is Lucie’s Wholesome Kitchen. She is local to Orange County, which I love, and she makes the BEST meals that feed the whole family with room for leftovers.
- Keep Yourself Hydrated
This is arguably the most important tip to stay healthy as a mom. Why? Because the majority of moms are chronically dehydrated, which can affect your health in multiple ways, such as:
- Fatigue
- Brain fog
- Depression
- Hunger or food cravings
- Irritability
- Headaches
Let’s face it, being a mom is hard enough without experiencing the consequences of dehydration. To avoid dehydration, aim to drink at least ½ your weight (pounds) in water (ounces) per day. For example, if you weigh 150 pounds, drink at least 75 ounces of water daily. Bonus points for adding electrolytes to your water, too!
Listen… this may be cliche but, buy yourself a Stanley. If you’re a mom (especially if you’re nursing) ya need the BIG one!
- Weekly Self Care
Despite popular belief, self care is anything but selfish, especially for a mom. Many forms of self care are simply ways of taking good care of your mind and body so that you can take good care of your little ones. With the support of your partner and loved ones, plan weekly self care for yourself. Taking a shower, nap, or feeding yourself is not self care… that’s just the basics that you deserve regardless. Self care can be taking a workout class, reading a book for leisure, hitting the mall, scheduling a facial, massage, or pedicure.
- Be Social
As a new mom particularly, it can be hard to find time to socialize and spend time with your loved ones. However, this is one of the simplest ways to take care of your mental and emotional health. We were all created to be in a community– yes, moms, too! Make time every week (ideally more than once a week) to see your closet friends and family members. You might be surprised how much good it can do! Note: this is good for baby too! I was part of a New Mom School whose babies were all within 3 weeks of Collins’ age. We have the best group and it was SO therapeutic having a safe space to go, every week.
Learning how to stay healthy as a mom can be a game-changer for the whole family. Of course, mom will benefit. But, so will the kids and partners! I’ve seen how this works firsthand with my own family. Mamas, you are rockstars and it’s time to treat yourself as such!
Photos by Melliemade Photography
