Sure, you’re taller and at least a little smarter than when you were a toddler, but have your needs changed all that much? Here are my best “mom” tips to make sure you’ve got your first four self-care basics covered. How many do you have working for you already?
1. Sleep.
As in, go the f to sleep. You wouldn’t keep a baby up all night, but how often are you burning the candle at both ends? As a reformed candle-burner, I promise you: you need sleep. It’s so important to your health, and to your fitness results, that it’s at the top of my list! Try:
- setting a goal (7 or 8 hours is a good starting point) and trying to meet that goal at least 6 nights out of the week. If you use your phone’s sleep tracking tools, it will even tell you when to go to bed (total mom vibes).
- using a sleep app (I love this one but there are plenty out there!) to wake you up at the optimal time during your sleep cycle so you’re refreshed and not groggy
- creating a bedtime routine for yourself. Little kids get a nice bath, a snack, a book, soft lighting, their favorite blanket, and some comforting music or white noise…so why are you slamming into bed like an auto accident? Give yourself a routine…some tart cherry juice, reading a few pages of a book or magazine, maybe even a hot shower. Clean your room. Wake up to something nice!
2. Veggies and fruit.
Even little kiddos need their five a day. Would you let a child tell you they’re too busy to eat a vegetable? That they just hate all fruits and aren’t willing to try? I hope not! So, stretch your comfort zone the tiniest bit and strive for your five servings of fruits and veggies. Try:
- making sure to include a fruit or veggie at every meal and snack – apples and baby carrots are easy to add in!
- making a vegetable soup – freeze the extra in 1-2 cup portions for future days when you’re short on veggies
- making a smoothie – if you’re not sure where to start, add a handful of spinach, half a banana, 3 strawberries, and some sliced mango or peach to a blender with enough water or plant milk to blend it smoothly
3. Movement
Would you let a 3 year-old go from bed to the car to sitting at a desk for 8 hours, then straight back to bed? Would you expect them to feel good and stay healthy if they did? Would they be able to handle life??
You don’t have to go to the playground or jump on the couch. Try:
- taking a walk
- taking a class – I love Zumba, kickboxing, and yoga for their total body regulation, but start with whatever you will attend!
- gardening (even poorly…the dirt is great for you!)
- embracing your inner toddler and parkour-ing around your home as needed
4. Social time and attention
You might not have playdates, but…should you? I miss having friend dates to Target, and I love running into my fave people when I’m just out for coffee or walking the dog. And, if you train with me, you’ve probably noticed I am always trying to get you to hang out with your friends (or make some local pals as a starting point!). We all need connection to be physiologically healthy, so even if you think you hate everyone, do it for your gains 💪.
Try:
- just getting coffee with someone. No agenda needed!
- taking a friend walk! You don’t have to have anything to talk about – you’ll see something crazy on the way, I’m sure
- group fitness – even if you’re antisocial in class, you get the social benefits anyway
- attending a church or similar gathering – same thing, you get social benefits just from being there
- taking a in-person class or joining an interest group – in Houston, I LOVE Honey Art Cafe (you can also just drop in and craft) or more formal classes at the Glassell, or drop-ins at the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, but we also have great (and free) concerts like these or these.
Are you tired just from reading about these basics? Sounds like mom life to me! Even if you’ve moved on from stacking Duplo to stacking funds in your 401k, your basic needs haven’t changed all that much, so make the upgrades you need to take great care of yourself and let me know how it goes!
Toddler time with me….
- Sunday 9am Zumba (free, meets at Levy Park – 3801 Eastside)
- Monday 6:30pm Zumba (free, meets at Levy Park – 3801 Eastside)
- Wednesday 7pm Zumba at Jerabeck Athletic Center (free; second floor dance studio, street parking)
- Saturday 9:30am Zumba at Montrose Collective (free; 888 Westheimer, street/garage parking, stay for gluten-free brunch at Picnik if you want, and make sure to use your Zumba discount at the Plant Project!)
