Every year around January 1 you hear people coming up with their lists, resolutions and their word. You know the one thing they are going to do better this year, the one thing they are going to accomplish this year or the one word that will sumize everything they do this year. Well this year I decided that my one thing would be better self care. I sat down and thought about ways to do this and I came up with 5 great ideas for staying healthy this year, mind and body.
Regular workouts
Even if you are not the type to hit the gym every day or jump in the pool for a lap swim. Exercise is important to your body and it needs it regularly to function at its best. I joined a camp style workout and attend a few days a week. I even take the baby in the stroller so that I can take her along when its time to jog a lap!
Read
Whether you are reading for devotional, fun or work, reading is great for the mind. It helps us learn something new, relax and sometimes can even be used as a sleep aid on a restless night. I have 3 books that I am currently working on but will need suggestions on what to start next.
Good Food Choices
After having my last baby and continuing to nurse I find that small frequent meals through out the day is what works best for me. I have a consistant set of foods that I like to have for lunch each day that I rarely tire of. For dinners I meal plan which is awesome because it takes all the stress out of the question, whats for dinner. Breakfast was my biggest challenge in making this adjustment. For many years I have not been focused on breakfast but with a nursling I needed the early morning calories. I’m trying out these new yogurts from Dannon Oikos. Not only is it packed with protein, but there are no added sweeteners!
Staying Hydrated
This one is important o be successful nursing which is important to me, but also my body NEEDS lots of water. I live in Texas and the climate calls for us to hydrate to avoid dry skin and chapped lips. Plus it just feels good to look at your water bottle and think, BOOM, I just drank all of that H2O!
Sleep!
This one is probably my biggest struggle yet is the most rewarding when I’m successful. I haven’t slept through the entire night in about 4 years. Between 2 pregnancies and 2 nursing babies I reallt don’t remember what its like to sleep longer than a few hours at a time ( just this week Mary has started to sleep 6 hours straight at night and it has given me a new perspective on everything). I sleep best when the house is cool, but I have lots of blankets, a fan to drowned out excess noise and its super dark.
