Let me paint you a picture – we’re getting ready to head out the door to walk up to school … miss eight year old bursts into tears because miss six year old won’t let her take her ‘stick on jewels’ to school, and after finally getting them out the door, miss eight year old sobs most of the way to school, meanwhile miss six year old is sick of the sobbing so proceeds to tell her to be quiet, who didn’t align which only causes further bickering…
Crossing the road, miss six year old stops dead in her tracks. “I’ve got a sore tummy, I can’t go to school” and complains the rest of the way to school. Miss six year old says “Mummy, hold my hand” (I was already holding her hand), “but you’re not holding it hard enough Mummy”, “not that hard Mummy!”…
Mr 10 year old son is walking 10 meters behind all of the commotion, not saying a word, minding his own business.
Can you relate to this scenario? As mothers, there are a lot of different situations and this is just one example of how we’re meant to juggle life as a busy mother. But how do you ensure you keep yourself sane at the same time?
I believe the most important place to start is looking after yourself because if you don’t, then everything around you will fall apart, and often as mothers, we are the last ones that we prioritise.
These are my top 7 must-do’s that I make sure I include every day:
- 10 minute meditation upon waking. Up until about 9 months ago, I never used to meditate, however, I’ve been learning about the importance of taking time out for yourself and I found this exercise really beneficial. Meditating at the beginning of the day sets me up right and then I’m more focused about my day ahead.
- Exercise – this is my sanity and I know that if I don’t get it done first thing in the morning, then it won’t get done so I’ll always carve out the time for it.
- A warm cup of lemon and water at the start of my day to kick start my metabolism.
- A healthy low glycemic breakfast – hopefully you are aware that breakfast is the most important meal of the day (click here for why) so I’ll always start with a bowl of homemade muesli with sliced banana, chia seeds, slithered almonds, LSA and natural unsweetened yoghurt.
- Eat regularly – I’m a great believer in regular small meals to keep our body metabolised, so it doesn’t go into the fight or flight mode (thinking it’s in stress) and can function optimally. I ensure I have light meals and snacks throughout the day. In order for this to happen, I make sure I have some healthy snacks on hand so I don’t get caught out and make unhealthy choices (see recipe below for ‘Never Enough Nut & Seed Bars’).
- Sleep – I try to get into bed by 10pm each night, as I know how important it is to have at least 7 hours sleep. Not only can we think more clearly, but it also allows our body to be doing the renewing and regenerating of our cells while we’re sleeping.
- Gratitude Journal – and I’ll always finish my day off with writing a gratitude journal of 5 things I’m grateful for that day. This puts you in an appreciative state when drifting off to sleep.
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