I’ve learned a lot about myself these past few months.
One is that I’m not as good as I thought at multi-tasking and juggling multiple responsibilities, especially at a time where I’m required to step up even more.
Like most moms, I struggle with asking for help.
I end up letting everything pile high on my plate.
And sometimes I crumble under the weight.
The weight of decision making, creating this and that, parenting, working from home with kids, learning new ways of doing everything, dealing with limited interactions between friends and family, and the list goes on.
As the world continues to suffer from health issues, hate-infused antics, and uncertainty, I’ve made some significant changes in my life in attempts to create a happy, healthy environment for my family and me.
Life after lockdown may also have given you a chance to think about what you want out of life and what changes you’d like to make.
For some people, including myself, that may include a complete lifestyle overhaul.
Making improvements to your life may start off as a challenge, but the results can be positive, long-lasting, and rewarding.
Here are the top areas you may want to focus on first to change your life for the better.
Change your diet
One of the first things you can do is think about changing your diet. We get out of our bodies what we put into them. To put it bluntly, if you eat like crap, you will feel like crap. When our lives are busy and stressful, it may feel easier just to grab a bowl of potato chips or order takeout when we’re hungry. But eating that way should not be the norm. A diet full of junk food might taste fantastic in the moment and give you increased energy levels.
Still, that feeling only lasts for so long, and the lows we can get after eating said junk can be debilitating, especially when your clothes stop fitting like they used to. Instead, try and focus on eating a well-balanced diet. A diet that gives you all of the food groups and the right sorts of foods you need to be eating daily. A good diet will see your energy levels stabilize and will also help with things like skin condition, mood, and weight.
Consider your working life
It might seem crazy, but we spend one-third of our life working, so if you don’t do something that you enjoy, feel passionate about or motivated to do, it can be challenging to feel excited about other aspects of your life. This is when a job change could be in order. You may want to change your job and gain new qualifications, work for yourself, and freelance or become self-employed.
Try to think of the things you are good at or that one career you always wanted to pursue but never had the opportunity to embark on, then start moving in that direction. Whatever you choose to do, it could be an essential part of your overall lifestyle change.
Ditch toxic friendships
Whom you surround yourself with can significantly impact the quality of your life. Your friends should root for you, support your goals, respect your boundaries, have your back, and attempt to stay connected. It’s understandable that once you become a parent, it may not be as easy to chat like it was in pre-kid life, but putting forth the effort goes a long way.
If you have friends who consistently betray your trust, act possessive and controlling, put you down, or make you feel anxious whenever they’re near, it may be time to sever ties once and for all.
Take better care of yourself
Moms can be guilty of not taking good care of ourselves, particularly when it comes to regular appointments for hearing, eyesight, and other health-related check-ups. We make our kid’s health a priority, while often putting ourselves on the backburner. But just taking more notice of these things could help improve your life.
The first step might be as simple as a repair for your eyeglasses so that you can enjoy reading again or working more comfortably at your computer for hours at a time. Maybe it is booking those appointments for things you keep putting off like teeth cleanings, hearing tests, or that conversation with your OB-GYN about those terrible menstrual cramps you’re having. It may even be seeking out therapy. However it looks like for you, just remember to take better care of yourself where you can.
Take a digital detox
Like a muscle, the brain needs recovery time in order to develop and grow; and retain new memories. You don’t have to be drastic. Maybe limit your time on Facebook to one hour a day. Try one day a week where you don’t open Instagram or TikTok. No answering emails on Sundays.
Studies have shown that the more time you spend perusing and posting on a social media site, the more likely you are to develop depression. And the real kicker, the amount of time you spend on surfing these sites are directly related to whether or not you feel stressed out or happy.
Exercise regularly
Exercise is just as important as drinking water and eating the right things. Combine it with everything else, and you really will start to see a difference in how you are feeling, how you look, and how you interact with the world. We all know the importance of exercise, yet it is often the first thing to go when we have a full plate at home and work.
You don’t have to do 90 minutes of kickboxing or something else extreme. It can be as simple as choosing to be more active, setting daily step goals, taking the stairs when you can, parking father from the entrance to Target, and other small steps. Remember, small steps add up to significant progress. You got this, mama!
Stay hydrated
Another essential thing to consider is keeping hydrated. Water is one of those things that we need to function optimally. It is a natural detox that can rid our bodies of bad toxins, which helps our bodies function more effectively. We need to consume at least a ½ gallon of water a day, more if it is hot weather or if you are exercising.
Sometimes it can be a chore to keep track of how much water you drink. To help, I like to fill up an empty 1-gallon milk container each morning and pour from that during the day. There is zero tracking involved. It will be crystal clear when you are nearing the mark or hit your ½ gallon goal. Water is the most underestimated mind and body boost.
The impact of these lifestyle changes will make you feel better, happier, healthier, and more confident.
And what mama couldn’t use more of that?
What changes are you making to improve your quality of life right now?
The Cultured Baby 
Great tips! Thanks for sharing!
LikeLike