4 Things All New Parents Should Know To Stay Healthy

As new(ish) parents, taking care of ourselves can feel almost impossible. We’re adjusting to new worlds, feeling guilt for even thinking about ourselves, and coming to grips with being in charge of another teeny-tiny person.

There’s a lot going on. It’s easy to forget about our own health, effectively running ourselves into the ground.

Keep these four things in mind to stay healthy and keep ahead of the momma/daddy burnout.

Mindset

Don’t be too hard on yourself when things go sideways. You went through a major life-changing event. It’s going to take a while to find your new normal. You don’t have the bandwidth you did before having a mini-manager. It’s normal to find yourself a little more drained.

Focus on the small wins. Doing a quick 10-minute walk or even just feeding yourself is a win, and it should be celebrated.

Nutrition

This is going to be an even bigger struggle than getting to the gym. By the time the kiddos are fed and you get a second to yourself, it’s bedtime.

The only way to make sure you get the food you need is to be proactive.

Plan Meals Ahead & Prep Them

If it’s not already cooked, you probably won’t have time though do it. Trust me, it’s easier to set aside a few hours one day a week than to find 20-30 minutes daily for food prep.

Movement

I’m talking about more than just hitting the gym to exercise. Get outside and go for walks. Play with the kiddos and connect with your body.

New studies show that increasing your daily activity helps fight depression, busts energy levels, and decreases your likelihood of heart attach.

It’s being said that regular exercise is effective in the treatment for depression and anxiety. When we workout there are chemical changes that elevate our moods, help us destress, and trigger our bodies to heal.

Then there are the added physiological benefits of training: weight loss, increased strength, increased confidence.

Sleep

Get 7-9 hours of sleep every night. It’s one of the absolute best things you can do for yourself. Operating on less than 6 hours has been shown to cause symptoms similar to alcohol consumption.

As parents, it’s not always possible to hit our sleep goals, but it doesn’t hurt to try. Control what you can.

Set a sleep routine:

• Avoid blue light from screens 60-90 minutes before bed

• Go to bed at the same time every night (including weekends)

• Avoid sugar and caffeine after dinner

• Stay away from heavy (triggering) topics before bed

There will be nights when the kids wake you, especially during the first few years. But, if you are intentional about your sleep routine, you’ll enjoy deeper more restorative sleep.

Getting healthy doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, the simpler it is the more likely you’ll succeed. Start with these 4 markers and you’ll be feeling better in a matter of weeks.