A happy mommy is a healthy mommy. Here are a few tips from whattoexpect.com that can help in making mommy feel more relaxed and happy. Much love, Bridget
What Moms Need —
7 Things That Make Mamas Happy
Your family gets constant mommy
care, so why not save a little of that TLC for yourself?
No doubt you’ve got a lot on your plate…and no doubt your needs
often slip to the bottom of your to-do list. But you’ll be a lot better
equipped to take care of the million things in your busy life (including that
adorable baby) if you take care of yourself as well. If your first reaction at
the thought of putting yourself first is an instant case of the guilts,
consider this simple mantra instead: “I count, too.” Then say those
three little words every time you get the urge to skip any of these seven
mommy-care musts.
Healthy foods at regular intervals.
You look at the clock and realize you’ve forgotten to eat lunch
— again. Not good. While you might think the upside to meal-skipping is a quick
way to lose weight, the opposite is true: Missing meals saps the energy you
need to get through the day, and if you take in too few calories, your body
will actually start to go into starvation mode, causing your metabolism to slow
down and your fat to stick around even longer. A much better solution: Stock
your kitchen with easy-to-grab eats — low-fat Greek yogurt, apples and bananas,
sliced turkey, whole-grain bread and crackers, or whatever your good-for-you
faves happen to be — and make sure to eat at least as often as your baby does.
A weekly date…with yourself.
Nab some time doing something that makes you feel good. It
doesn’t matter what it is (or if it’s absolutely nothing) as long as it’s your
choice. To make sure it happens, schedule the time on your calendar and
consider that date sacred. Let your partner know he’s on duty or arrange a
childcare swap with a friend. If your baby’s going to be home, it’s probably
best if you do your thing elsewhere so you’re not tempted (or asked) to jump
into the fray. Give yourself a couple hours of me-time a week (at least), and
you’ll be a better mom when you’re back on duty.
Mini make-out sessions.
Date nights are great, but a quick
kissing fix is the next best thing. Besides, it takes only a minute and the
benefits are major: You reconnect with your mate and you both get an instant
jolt of stress-melting joy. If that lip-lock in the kitchen sparks some loving
in the bedroom later on, wonderful. If it doesn’t, no worries. The simple power
of a kiss is worth seeking on its own — no sex required.
Girls' mani/pedis…or nights or
brunches.
There’s nothing like hanging with pals you can laugh and/or vent
with — preferably ones who know a thing or two about exploding diapers or ear-piercing
tantrums. There are reams of research proving that people who have strong
social ties are healthier and happier overall. And even if it’s nearly
impossible to coordinate your schedules, you and your mommy friends
can still reap the benefits by staying in touch virtually: Skyping and
old-school chats on the phone count, too.
Face time with your doctor.
Sure, you saw your doc at your postpartum checkup, but it’s a
good idea to stay in close-ish touch throughout the first year. Why? Your body
and mind have a lot to get used to, and you’ll have tons of questions,
like: What type of birth control
is right for me now? I’ve been feeling really cranky and sad — could I have postpartum
depression? What’s a healthy way to lose my baby weight? (And even
if you gave birth to your youngest child several years ago, yearly exams are
still a mommy-care must.)
A way to fit in fitness.
Getting off the couch once your tot’s down for the count may be
the last thing you feel like doing, but exercise is a feel-good silver bullet.
Physical activity boosts your energy and helps you shed post-baby pounds. It
also soothes the blues, squashes stress, wards off colds, and helps you sleep
more soundly. Can’t hit the gym? No problem. Just strap your sweetie in his
stroller and start exploring your ’hood. Or consider forming a mommy walking
(or running) group — it’s much harder to bail when you’ve got people counting
on you to show up. Or make a nightly walk a family ritual so everyone reaps the
benefits of a breezy evening stroll.
Family fun.
For new moms, a good day may be one in which everyone is
basically clean, mostly fed, and generally tear-free. But it’s so important to
find ways to bond and laugh as a family (and no, running errands with tots in
tow doesn’t count). Find moments during your day to get a little zany — dance
with your toddler, play a ten-minute game of tag, or have a picnic on the
floor. You might have to temporarily lower your standards on some things, like
having a spotless house, a perfectly mowed lawn, or a cooked-from-scratch
supper. But the payoff in sweet memories is absolutely worth it — and exactly
what moms need.
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