by Janice Russell
The future of parenting is changing. As parents, we are no longer one-dimensional. We are working parents, stay-at-home parents, or both. Our lives are more complicated and busier than ever before with many competing priorities, from careers to social lives to family lives.
And we are often distracted by our children and forget to take care of ourselves. Add to this the lack of time to take care of ourselves while also taking care of our family, and you can see how easy it is to get overwhelmed.
Ask for Help
The number one way to get and stay healthy for parents of newborns is getting help with childcare and household chores. These are not luxury expenditures, but real necessities for parents to stay well enough to be at their best in order to care for their children. Seek out services like Denver’s Love Certified Child Care. They have fully vetted sitters ready and on-call.
Your peace of mind is important to your health too, so use a trusted sitter, either a close family member, friend, or a qualified sitter who has been thoroughly vetted.
Housekeepers are also available on-demand, just be sure and check their reviews online to make sure you’re getting someone who you can feel good about having in your home.
Eat Healthier Meals and Snacks
You are what you eat sounds cliche but it’s a cliche for a reason, it’s true. Eating sugary foods can drop your blood sugar down so low you’ll wonder where all your energy went. Instead of sugary drinks, make a healthful smoothie instead. Make it ahead of time and refrigerate it so that when your hunger pangs hit, it will be ready. This will prevent you from grabbing an unhealthy snack simply for its convenience.
If you don’t have time to cook because you’re busy working a full-time job or running your own business from home, try a meal service that will deliver to you. They offer menus and easy-to-prepare meals that can shorten your shopping and prep time while providing you and your family with a nutritious meal.
Along with eating right, make sure you’re not getting dehydrated. It’s not uncommon for anyone who feels sleep-deprived to compensate with coffee. But drinking large amounts of coffee, more than four cups a day, can dehydrate us so it’s even more important to ensure you’re drinking 8-10 glasses of water per day.
Exercise Increases Energy
Though it feels like you’re getting all the exercise you need running back and forth to the nursery for feedings, diaper changes, or just walking the floor to encourage the baby to sleep, it doesn’t take the place of a regular exercise routine.
Aerobic, weight, and stretching exercises are not only beneficial for your health but can also boost your energy and your mood.
If getting out of the house and going to a gym is out of the question, don’t worry. There are plenty of options for exercising at home. Walking at least thirty minutes a day is a wonderful form of exercise, especially if you’re pushing a stroller. Taking your baby with you on walks is great for them and increases the number of calories you burn as you go. Or you can get a rower or treadmill inexpensively if you shop second-hand. See if you have a Play It Again Sports near you. They usually have a large selection of pre-owned exercise equipment at much lower prices.
Yoga and Tai Chi classes are available online with both group and private instructions, or on pre-recorded YouTube channels.
Take Care of You So You Can Take Care of Them
Being a new parent can be incredibly rewarding and at the same time incredibly challenging. It is important to understand that this is a time in which you need to be mindful of your own health in order to be your best self for yourself and your child.
