We all know the old saying that health is wealth! The daily stressors of life often make us forget about the promises we constantly make to live healthier.
More often than not, this is because we set unachievable goals. If you are telling yourself that you are going to go to the gym seven days a week, or run a marathon, it can be hard to implement huge life changes like that instantly. An easier solution is to find small changes that can easily be incorporated to your daily routine.
Unsure of where to start? We’ve made a list of our favorite small changes that make a big difference to your overall health and wellbeing.
Daily Affirmations
If you’ve never practiced giving yourself daily affirmations, it is easy to dismiss them. After all, it does sound a little like magic. Can speaking to yourself kindly really improve your overall well-being?
Well, take it from us, Mamas! It absolutely can. This is due to something called neuroplasticity, which is a fancy word to describe the brain’s ability to adapt to change. The theory behind this is that our brains sometimes have a hard time understanding what it real and what isn’t. That’s why when you feel an emotion like anxiety, it can feel very real, even if you know that you aren’t in any real danger.
However, we are able to hack this particular part of our brain, by using affirmations and visualizations, to help our minds support us in creating a positive outcome. Saying a positive statement out loud, such as “I am confident,” can trigger some of the same responses your brain has in a situation where you are actually feeling confident.
If you are new to creating affirmations, there are tons of online resources, and guided journals to get you started on the process.
Drink Water
We know. You’ve heard it before. But, we have to repeat it, because if you are anything like us, you may not be drinking as much H2O as you need, even if you know better.
Our bodies are 60% water, so dehydration can have serious effects. People who do not drink enough water may suffer from skin dryness and irritation, headaches, and digestive problems. One easy way to boost your water intake? Find a water bottle you love. We are huge fans of the 1 liter glass water bottles from BKR, which offers all the hydration, with none of the gross plastic aftertastes of conventional reusable bottles.
Stretch
Stretching can often feel like an afterthought to our workout routine. But stretching is just as important – if not MORE important – than getting in your cardio.
A good stretch routine has a whole host of benefits. It is one of the most helpful tools in increasing mobility and range of motion. Additionally, stretching can help with pain relief and training your body to use your muscles in a more efficient way. Yoga is a great way to get your daily dose of stretching in, but if yoga is not your thing, a quick google search will show you thousands of stretching routines.
One Vegetable or Fruit With Every Meal
That’s right, Mamas. Every. Meal.
We all know the importance of incorporating a variety of fresh, whole plant foods into our diets, but lots of us are living on a “toaster waffle with a spoonful of peanut butter” schedule. If fitting in your recommended five servings of fruit and veg, a day, we recommend keeping it simple. You don’t need a veggie packed salad to get there (although, if that’s your thing, we’ve got you covered). Adding a single fruit or vegetable to each meal can make a big difference in reaching that goal. And it can be simple, too!
Next time you are running out the door, toaster waffle in hand, try topping it with a banana. That turkey sandwich you made for lunch? It’s just as simple to toss on a handful of crunchy romaine or spicy arugula.
Simple switches like this can make a big difference when it comes to your overall health.
Ten Minute Workout
For many of us, creating a consistent workout routine is one of the hardest parts of creating a healthy lifestyle. With work schedules, and little ones poking their heads in to see what we are doing, creating time for ourselves to take care of our bodies can feel like fighting an uphill battle.
That’s why we recommend starting small. If you’re trying to schedule an hour of physical activity, it can feel overwhelming. It makes it easy to dismiss, thinking you don’t truly have time for it. As you’re getting into the habit of building a regular fitness routine, start with small, ten to fifteen-minute workouts that pack a punch. Youtube is jam packed with tons of these HIIT-style classes that can get you up and moving with no excuses.
Get Outside
We’re big fans of adding daily outdoor time to your day over here. While there are lots of physical benefits to spending time in nature (hello, Vitamin D!), it can also boost your mental wellbeing in an unexpected way. Getting a little fresh air can lower stress levels and increase feelings of happiness. So, slip on your walking shoes and head out that front door!
Eat Your Greens
Leafy greens are a staple ingredient in healthy cooking. Packed with nutrients such as folate, iron, and calcium, adding these into your diet can be an easy way to give your nutrition a boost. There are endless ways to eat them, as well! We love a side of sauteed spinach with any meal or a kale-based pesto. Need something even faster? We love this powdered blend of leafy greens by Athletic Greens!
DeToxify Your Beauty Routine
Clean beauty is all the rage these days, and with good reason. Your skin is the largest organ in your body, absorbing everything you put on it. If you are an organic food devotee but haven’t yet made the switch to a clean beauty routine, consider this your sign! There are TONS of fantastic clean beauty brands on the market today. We, here at The Cool Mom Co, are particular fans of Honest Beauty. Their products are made with the whole family in mind so that you and your kids are only exposed to high-quality, non-toxic ingredients!
Get Your Z’s
Getting eight hours of sleep seems like it would be easy. In practice, though? Not always. There’s always something keeping our minds busy, or social media to scroll through, or work to get done.
Prioritizing sleep is HUGE when it comes to overall health. A good night’s sleep doesn’t just make us feel better the next day. It supports every aspect of our body, from our immune system to our mental health. Mamas, you know how important a bedtime routine is for your young kids. It is just important for you! Be sure to create a space in which you can wind down in, at the end of the day, to promote better sleep.
Take It Easy
When you are responsible for work, helping maintain a home, and keeping young humans happy and healthy, it can be easy to develop a sense of guilt over taking time for yourself. Taking time to rest and relax is SO important. If you struggle to let yourself have that time, try scheduling it into your week. Prioritize it in the way you would a work call or a school event. If someone asks you to do something during that hour or two? Sorry, you’re booked!
Allowing your time to relax and take care of yourself can help ensure that you are happier and more even-tempered during the rest of your day.