I am a stay-at-home mom. This generally means, I don’t get paid for my job as a mom, at least not with money (but I do get paid with hugs and kisses, which is better, I think). Also, this means, that I don’t get sick days, EVER. I think that most of you fellow moms can relate, whether you work outside or inside of your home. I know that making time to take care of yourself is the furthest thing from your mind and yet, it is what will prevent you from getting sick and allow you to be your best for your family.
It’s so easy to put everyone else in your household first. I seem to do it all the time. I’m learning that when you take care of yourself, you are able to be the best mom and wife for your family which means you are able to care for your kids, and sometimes husband, when they are sick. I know that all Logan and Shadrach really want when they are sick is my love and attention. The last thing I want to do is worry about whether I’m going to come down with something too!
Last Monday, I gave you a list of my must-have’s for when your kids are sick. Today, I’m sharing simple ways you can take care of yourself so you can be the best YOU for your family.
Get Plenty of Sleep on a daily basis. This is the first thing I’m going to suggest. I’m talking about 7 or 8 hours of sleep each night. This is the area I struggle with the most. I’m a night owl and tend to find my second wind around the time Logan goes to bed. (Go figure) So, I tend to lose track of the time and before I know it, it’s 1:30 and I know that I want to be up by 6:30 am. However, I am very rarely up at that time. I usually end up in bed until my alarm clock *ahem* Logan wakes me up. 🙂
I believe going to bed and getting up at relatively the same time every day is beneficial and will help you feel so much better. So, turn off Netflix, and get to bed! 🙂 (This is a reminder to myself, mostly) Also a quick note to all you mamas that have little ones not sleeping through the night yet. I know this step isn’t possible for you right now. So just remember to do everything else I’ve suggested and know that sleep will come one day soon and hopefully before their 18th birthday 😉
Drink 64 Ounces of Water every day! I’m preaching to myself on this one too. Drinking enough water during the day does so much for your body. It really helps in making sure you stay hydrated and flushes out any bad germs. I’m sure I don’t need to explain the array of health benefits from drinking water. This is an easy one that doesn’t take a lot of effort or time. So go pick up a cute water bottle, and get busy drinking those 64 ounces of water! (Am I the only one that seems to drink more water when I have a fun, new cup or bottle to drink out of?)
Get 30 Minutes of Exercise at least 3-5 days a week. This does not have to be anything fancy AT ALL. It can be as simple as going for a walk with your kiddos. Or, doing an exercise video while your children play. However, you deciding to get 30 minutes of heart-pumping movement in your day will do wonders for you. It helps build up your immune system as well as give you more energy. Plus I always seem to feel better in my own skin when I take the time each day. This is “me” time that should be carved out each day. Schedule it if you have to, just fit it in somewhere. You’ll be amazed at how much easier you can keep up with your kids too, once you start exercising regularly.
Eat Lots of Fruit and Veggies every day. I’m not telling you to go on a diet. I’m just suggesting that you incorporate fruits and vegetables into each meal. I aim to have at least one vegetable with every meal. Getting enough fruit is not a problem, but, veggies are my nemesis. This is something I don’t always succeed at, but when I do, I feel so much better. I just encourage you to figure out what you need to add to your diet (or subtract) and find the easiest way to do it. Make sure you get all the nutrients you need to have energy and keep your immune system up!
Get Some Extra Vitamin C every day. This can come in many different forms. The best way to get it is with the foods you eat. Your body just absorbs it better. I also tend to keep Emergen-C stocked in our medicine cabinet and when Logan is sick, I’ll make sure to drink some every day. However, there are other vitamin C supplements out there that may work better for you. If your kiddo is coming down with something, have some there to help boost your immune system so that you can avoid getting sick (or not get hit as hard)
I know that taking care of yourself isn’t always the easiest. I also know from experience that when my child gets sick, all I want to do is hold him and cuddle with him. That means sometimes I get what he has. I notice that when I do take care of myself and follow these steps, I tend to get over it much faster (or sometimes even prevent it). I’m not guaranteeing that you won’t get sick. I’m just giving you some simple steps to keep it from getting to the point where it knocks you off your feet.
As a mom, even when I am ill, I’m still in high demand. Sometimes there are only certain things a mom can do. So I don’t always get to rest and have a sick day. Maybe I should rephrase that, I never get to rest and have a sick day. 🙂 Thankfully, I haven’t really had anything since Logan was born. I know this last time when he and Shadrach were down, I hadn’t been taking care of myself like I needed to and ended up sick a few days after they started feeling better. If only I had listened to my own advice right?
Don’t feel guilty for taking care of yourself! Make it a priority and in the end, you and your family will be glad you did. What are some other ways you take care of yourself? Do you have any tricks that ensure you don’t get sick along with your kiddos? I’d love to hear about it in the comments…
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Laura Ramnath
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Great tips! This is the season of illness. Moms at playgroups are carrying tissues and using that phrase I don’t want to hear: There’s something going around. That something could be anything and this season could be any time of year. Kids get sick and their germs follow them around and leave little germ-friends behind to infect the rest of us.
Thank you for sharing this important blog. I admired children who take care of their parents.
Thank you Lorraine!
I need to take better care of myself!! I am always running around after everyone else I never stop and think about me! Thank you for sharing this!!
Sophie x
http://www.sophobsessed.com
It is so hard as moms to stop and think about ourselves but it’s really so important. Thank you for stopping by Sophie!
Really great tips!
Thank you Joanie!
Adequate sleep is what really helps me function at my best. I have 2 kids so 7 hours is a dream but really I need like 8-9 hours to feel my best. I’m also trying to get at least 30 minutes of exercise daily and it has really improved my overall mood.
http://www.flashesofdelight.com
I hear ya Barb about the 8 to 9 hours! That is my dream and maybe one day it will happen. I agree about the exercise too. It’s amazing how much of a difference it can make in how you feel.
I think sleep and water are the biggest ones that I don’t get enough of. I have never really liked the taste of water. I am trying to drink more. And I’m pretty much an insomniac, so I”m always up. 🙁
And I think I’m getting sick too. :/
I completely agree Krysten! Sleep and water are where I usually struggle the most too, but the funny thing is I love sleep. 🙂 I hope you aren’t getting sick and if you are, hopefully you will feel better quickly!!
This winter the kids got both myself and the sitter sick, and of course when she called out, I was stuck handling them while I was on my death bed. I don’t really have any extra tricks, except that I do go easy on all of us when we’re sick. Snuggled up watching movies is A-OK on sick days. The body needs time to heal.
Thanks for the tips! Snuggling up and watching movies is the best for sure!! I’m so sorry to hear that you and your sitter were sick. That’s the pits but you have great suggestions on how to manage those situations. 🙂
I love these tips! It is true that moms (working or not) don’t get sick days so taking care of yourself and preventing as much illness as possible is crucial! I drink a ton of water and try to get extra Vitamin C where I can.
Thank you Melissa! Those are both great and effect ways to avoid any sickness!
This is great advice! You definitely can’t expect to bring your Mom A-game if you’re not at your very best and that means taking care of yourself! A single night of going to bed late throws my whole next day off.
Thanks Sarah! Yes! Going to bed later than we should is always the worst. I don’t know about you, but my child never seems to get the memo that he needed to sleep in on those days. It seems like he wakes up extra early instead. 🙂
Great tips! Whenever I feel like I am getting sick.. I swear Vitamin C and a few nights of going to bed early does the trick!
Thank you Lauren! That going to bed early is the kicker for me! I’m such a night owl but I completely agree. Sleep and vitamin C do wonders for sure!
I love this so much. I just got sick for the first time since having a baby because I got so run down. These tips are wonderful! Thank you!
Thank you Erin! I’m so sorry to hear that you were sick! That’s not fun but hopefully you were able to get some rest.
Great tips! I’m working on the getting enough sleep one, but when my daughter is finally sleeping I realize all the stuff I need to do!
Thank you Vicki! Sleep is a tough one. I completely understand that when your kids are sleeping, that is the time to get things done. I almost always seem to get my second when during nap times and bed time. Funny how that works. 🙂
What a great reminder!! When my husband was sick, I amped all of these up because I knew- I just can’t afford to get sick! Thanks again for the reminders and that I probably should incorporate these things into my routine daily because it’s just good for you period!!
Thank you Shay! I felt the same way when everyone in my house was sick a few weeks ago. It’s hard to remember to be proactive and not wait until the sickness strikes. I tend to do things backward anyway. 🙂
Great ideas! I had strep once and it was the mother loving worst trying to take care of my three crazies and still get enough rest.
Thank you Jessica! And bless you for having to still function with strep throat!! I can’t figure out how kids can jump around and play with strep throat or any sickness for that matter. Whenever I’ve gotten strep as an adult I feel like I’m dying. 🙂
These are all good reminders. I know I need to be better about my water intake 🙂
Thank you Melissa! I need to get better too! Not enough sleep and cold days seems to make me drink more coffee than water. Bad habit for sure!
Thank you for the reminder. It’s so easy to forget this when you’re in the trenches of motherhood.
Thank you for stopping by Kristy! It is so easy in the midst of motherhood to forget about ourselves. Life in general has a way of doing that to us and then throw in kids and we are a lost cause as moms. 🙂
I always notice a huge difference in how I feel when I don’t drink enough water! Excellent tips and a great reminder to take care of ourselves!
Thank you Christina! It always amazes me how our bodies can tell us when we need certain things, like water. I certainly struggle in the water department during the winter. Which ironically, is probably when I need it the most. 🙂
Great tips! Thanks so much for sharing. I too struggle with the sleep thing….
Thank you Danielle! Oh, sleep is my most favorite thing but sometimes Netflix wins out. 🙂
Such simple, yet effective tips! Especially right now, after my family has been sick, I keep trying to get the vitamin C in, to try and prevent it from happening all over again!
Thank you Leighann! It is the worst when everyone gets sick. I hope you all stay well. 🙂
Great tips! I wrote a post about how to get some me time in as a mama that you might find interesting too!
Thank you Megan! I’ll definitely go check that post out! Getting me time is something I struggle with a lot and haven’t quite figured out how to do yet. 🙂
Sick day whats a sick day or for that matter vacation day. Agree with all your ideas for staying healthy. I need to start taking some vitamin C.
Thank you Candy! I agree, what is a vacation day? Mom’s definitely don’t get those either. 🙂
Such great tips! Water and sleep are the two biggest ones for me! I can feel when I haven’t been getting enough water!
Thank you Hanna! Sleep is a big one for me too! I love sleep and function best on 8 to 9 hours. Isn’t amazing how our body has a way of forcing us to take care of ourselves? 🙂
These are great tips! Yep, I agree, we don’t get sick days. Even if we’re not feeling well, we still have to get out of the bed and take care of everything! So taking care of ourselves is definitely a must!
Belle | One Awesome Momma
Thank you Belle! It is so hard to remember to take care of ourselves but worth it every time. 🙂
Oh! I’m sorry! I see now that your hubby’s name is Shadrach!
So great! I love the focus here. And I’m with you! Once I found a good water bottle, I’ve been so much better. (My favorite is a 32 oz tumbler that is highly insulated! It keeps my water cold for so long!) Also, I’m curious about your son’s name – Shadrach. Is it from the book of Daniel in the Bible? I like it! 🙂
Thank you Alex! A good water bottle is essential! I have a tumbler very similar that does a great job. And in answer to your question, my husband’s name is from the Bible. He actually has a brother named Meshach too! We always joked about naming our first child Abednego but thankfully we settled on Logan instead. I love that he has such an unusual, biblical name. 🙂
Very good tips and lots of things I need to be reminded to do….like turn off Netflix and go to bed!
Thank you Kate! Netflix sucks me in almost every night! The struggle is real. 🙂
Really great tips! And its important to remain as healthy as you can, so you can take care of your family 🙂
Thank you Jasmine! It is so important and something I seem to forget quite often. 🙂
Water Water Water. I need the reminder too. Thank you!
Me too Amber! I’ve been horrible lately about getting my water in. This post is a reminder to me as well. 🙂