Are you a master multitasker or were you raised by one? A study released by Harvard Business School suggests that children of working mothers are better educated and earn more than their peers with stay-at-home moms. The findings also say that sons of working mothers grow up as fathers involved in child-rearing and household chores.
Being a working mom is probably the toughest role there is. You have your duties in your office in one hand and your responsibilities to your family in the other. Your daily schedule is jampacked with meetings, cooking, and tending to your kids. Surely, only a working mother truly knows what multitasking is all about.
However, where does your “me time” fall? Don’t neglect yourself. Remember that you’ll only do everybody a disservice if you suddenly hit the wall (literally and figuratively). Explore these 10 health and beauty tips for moms who are always on the go.
Say a Little Prayer
The first step for busy moms to get fit and fab is to start the day with a rush of positive energy. Health and beauty should come from within. Rise up early and allot the first five minutes of your day to a simple prayer. If you’re not affiliated with any religious group, you can meditate. Clear your mind and bring yourself to the present moment. Studies show that mindfulness, or focusing one’s awareness on the present moment, reduces anxiety and improves cognition.
Get your Daily Dose of Sunshine
The early morning sunshine is a good source of Vitamin D. It also boosts the body’s energy levels and helps maintain our circadian rhythm, a key to healthy sleep. Spend a few minutes in your balcony or have your coffee outdoors.
Do Yoga Poses
Do you know that yoga poses are effective for healthy hair and reducing stress? These are exercises you can do in your condo or home. Yoga improves cardio and circulatory health, helps maintain a balanced metabolism, and increases muscle strength. Dr. Natalie Nevins, an osteopathic family physician, says: “Yoga can be very effective in developing coping skills and reaching a more positive outlook on life.”
Before leaving your bedroom, do the child’s pose (balasana) by getting into a kneeling pose then bringing your chest down onto your thighs. Place your forehead to the floor and your arms spread by your sides next to your feet. Take slow five to 10 breaths while in this position. You can also try the cat/cow pose (bidalasana) or the downward dog pose (adho mukha svanasana). Yoga is one of the things you can do in your condo or home to get fit.
Savor a Cup of Coffee
Researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health recently found that people drinking more than a cup of coffee each day decrease their type 2 diabetes by 11%. Drinking this caffeinated beverage regularly could also lower the progression rate of liver cancer and cirrhosis and Parkinson’s Disease.
If you’re acidic, you can opt for green tea which has powerful antioxidant properties. Tea has less caffeine than coffee but offers similar or even more health benefits. It cuts the risk of heart problems, helps with weight loss, and boosts the immune system.
Skip the Cigarettes
Jazz goddess Ella Fitzgerald mused that a woman is born to “drown her past regrets in coffee and cigarettes.” In real life, smoking cigarettes is part of past regrets. One of the hardest tips to get fit fast is to go cold turkey. Nicotine is an addictive substance. If you’ve been smoking for years, it’s about time to make changes in your lifestyle habits. Speak to your doctor if necessary.
Engage in 15-minute Vigorous Exercise
Do you know the best time for a working mom’s workout schedule? It’s within the first hour after you’ve gotten out of bed. The World Health Organization reports that adults aged 18 to 64 years should do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or at least 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic exercise each week. You can distribute the minutes based on your schedule.
Condo living is perfect for the modern day woman. Tenants have access to lifestyle amenities including a gym, swimming pool and roof deck area for yoga exercises. No need to buy a treadmill that will only take space in your condo. Just drop by your condo gym!
Drink Lots of Water, and Add Lemons!
You don’t need expensive beauty products to attain healthy and youthful skin. Keep yourself hydrated all day and witness the changes in you. When your body is dehydrated, your blood pulls water from your skin cells resulting to dull and less elastic skin. Before starting your busy mom workout schedule, drink a tall glass of water with a teaspoon of lemon juice on an empty stomach. This will pump electrolytes into your body and cleanse toxins from your system.
Eat Breakfast Like a Boss
Every list of quick tips to get fit include eating a balanced diet. Never leave the house with an empty stomach. For a stay-at-home mom, exercise and weight loss shouldn’t be problematic. First, get into the treadmill or the stationary bicycle. Then, have a large breakfast. A study by Tel Aviv University suggests that a high-protein diet can aid weight loss and help manage type 2 diabetes. While there’s no evidence that skipping breakfast will lead to obesity in the long-run, Japanese researchers say that it can increase the risk of brain hemorrhage by 36%.
Prepare your Own Food
The meals in your office canteen and fast food restaurants are likely prepared with artificial seasoning and used cooking oil. The only way you can guarantee that your food is safe is to cook it yourself. This will also save you extra dollars!
Stimulate your Brain in the Morning
Fitness is not confined to your physical health. It also involves your mental and emotional wellness. As you age, you’re more prone to cognitive decline. Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia, is not a normal part of aging, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. However, it remains as the greatest known risk factor.
One of the pillars of Alzheimer’s prevention is mental stimulation. Some of the brain-stimulating activities you can do in the morning are studying a foreign language, practicing a musical instrument or reading a good book.
Being a mother is a full-time job that allows no vacation and offers no salary. No one can discount society’s benefits from a population of doting mothers who raise well-rounded adults. Thus, it’s important to take care of yourself. Remember, the world needs you!