Mommy Tips for Staying Energized

I’m sure you have all had those days when you can’t seem to get yourself energized. I know I have. There have been days when I’ve dragged myself out of bed and went throughout the entire day still in “sleep” mode. While some people may feel like this every day, the fact of the matter is that, as moms, we don’t have time to be tired. We have a lot of things that need our attention throughout the day and it’s nearly impossible to get it all done when we are walking around like a zombie.

So, how can we ensure that we stay energized and are able to get through our daily duties as a mother, wife, house keeper, etc.?

• Go to bed at a decent hour. This seems like a common sense tip, but there are many of us out there who relish those hours after our children go to bed because the house is silent and we are able to get things done without being interrupted. I for one struggle with this, because once the kids are in bed, I like to clean the kitchen and living room, then I settle in on the couch with a good book or I opt for a Netflix movie and a bowl of popcorn. In other words, it’s my time to relax and when I’m not careful, it’s past midnight before I look up at the clock! Getting to bed and getting eight hours of sleep is necessary if we want to keep our energy throughout the next day!
• Eat healthy food. Over the last couple of years I have changed my lifestyle and have really started focusing on eating healthy food instead of loading up on the empty, high-calorie processed food that is served at fast-food restaurants. These foods are also found at the grocery store and many of us buy them because they are quick meals for our family. However, since I have changed my diet, I have noticed a huge drop in energy when I settle for one of these unhealthy meals.
  For instance, just a couple of weeks ago, my husband and I ate at a well-known Italian restaurant and I decided since it was my cheat day that I was going to splurge and get the chicken alfredo…a dish that I have always loved. While the pasta was super yummy about 20 minutes after finishing, I was overcome with a serious drop in energy. All I wanted to do was take a nap…and that lack of energy stayed with me until I went to bed that night. It was all from that one meal! Therefore, if you want to keep your energy levels up, start fueling your body with the right kinds of food!
• Stay hydrated. Did you know that the majority of people experience low energy symptoms because they are dehydrated? That one little fact had a major impact on me and my energy levels. I am not one who likes to be drinking all the time, in fact, I can easily go all morning without any water. Once I found out that dehydration can cause us to be tired, I increased my daily intake of water and discovered that my low-energy symptoms had practically gone away. In fact, when I get tired in the middle of the day and can’t explain why, I will drink a glass of water and many times that re-energizes me.
• Exercise. I’m not sure what it is, but there is something about exercising that energizes me. If you don’t feel like you have the time to exercise, try something simple like going on a walk before you head out the door for work or go outside and play catch with your kids when you get home before you start preparing dinner. Exercise doesn’t have to be the traditional “gym” work in order to be effective. Just give it a try for a week and see if you notice any difference. Make a point to do some type of out-of-the-ordinary physical exercise for 20-30 minutes each day and make a note of your energy levels after you’re done.

Keeping up with kids isn’t an easy job, especially for those who work outside the home but it’s the one job, as mothers, that we are going to have for at least 18 years so it’s important that we learn how to succeed at it. One of the best things you can do, in order to be the best parent you can be, is learn about the things you can do that will help you stay energized each day. Why? When you are full of energy, your mood will be better, you will have more patience, your listening and conversation skills will be sharper and you will feel better all-around. We know that these things all work together in creating a mom who is happy, good-natured and fun to be around. Isn’t that they mom we should want to be for our kiddos?

What are some tips that you have for staying energized?