If you’ve ever listened to the talk the airlines give before taking off, you’ll hear that parents should put on oxygen masks before fitting one on their child. That almost sounds counter to intuition, but there’s a good reason. The adult needs to stay alert to take care of the child. The same is true about staying healthy, especially if you’re busy with being a parent, work and everything taking care of a family entails.
You’ll be surprised at how quickly you can get things done when you’re healthier.
If you’re tired, it’s harder to get things done quickly. You simply move slower. When you’re fit, have adequate sleep and more energy, you literally zip through tasks, even mental ones. Getting fit by exercising and eating healthier can help boost your overall energy. Of course, you need adequate sleep, too. You’ll be surprised at how that extra time you took to exercise actually saves time when doing other tasks, due to the energy factor.
It isn’t selfish to take time to care for yourself.
Maybe the results of an unhealthy lifestyle won’t affect you immediately, but they can. You may be more susceptible to minor illnesses, more falls or just being too tired to finish something. Maybe the results of a lifetime of neglecting yourself will lead to a serious condition when you age. Either way, you’ll be ready to help your family when they need you most and take care of them when you live a healthier lifestyle. On the other hand, if you don’t, they could be spending their days caring for you.
Kids learn what they live.
If you’re living a healthy lifestyle, you’re putting your child in an environment where they learn how to become a healthier adult. Children look to their parents as role models and if you are overweight or have unhealthy habits, they probably will too. When you’re serving healthy meals, kids adopt that as part of their life. If you’re an active parent that participates in sports, hiking, biking or other activities, your kids will learn an active lifestyle.
- You’ll be less cranky when you’re fit. No matter how great of a mother you are, some days the littlest thing can set you off and may even require an apology later, or at least an explanation. If you’re healthy and fit, you’ll be more apt to act with grace under pressure.
- Have bottled water in the refrigerator for the entire family. Get your kids in the habit of drinking water instead of soft drinks, juices or sugary drinks.
- A healthy mom also has healthier snacks ready in the refrigerator, for both her and her kids. Focusing on healthier treats as a reward can also teach your children to embrace healthier eating.
- Being a mom may be your most important job, but it doesn’t mean you have to be a mom 24/7. You need to take time to yourself, even if it’s just a half hour a day, to de-stress and recoup. Use that time for meditation, a warm bath or just counting your blessings.
For more information, contact us today at Team Worx Fitness