5 ways to be happy and healthy this year
Being a busy mum is a 24/7 job, with no chance for sick days! So it’s important to keep your everyday health in tip-top condition.
Don’t worry, you don’t need a huge life overhaul. It just takes getting into a few healthy habits to make a big difference, both physically and mentally.
Read on for five easy ways to look after your health so you can stay well to look after everyone else…
1. Eat well
It’s not rocket science: what we eat is integral to how we feel. If you eat well, you will feel well, and vice versa.
Nature has provided us with an abundance of immune system boosters, from garlic to ginger to honey, so make sure you include them in your diet.
Check out our list of flu-fighting foods and make a conscious effort to add a drizzle, dash or sprinkle of one or more of these to your meals.
If you need meal inspiration, check out our winter recipes that will put a spring in your step.
2. Top up on your vitamins
It can still be hard to get all the vitamins and minerals you need from your diet, so top up with a multivitamin, such a Swisse Women’s Multivitamin.
It’s also important to keep your vitamin D levels up, due to the lack of sunshine in winter, and keep your vitamin C intake high to help support your immune system and energy production. You can try Swisse High Strength Vitamin C to help with this.
3. Look out for signs of stress
If you’re constantly feeling unwell, it could be down to stress. The chemicals our body releases to deal with stress, such as cortisol and adrenalin, work to help us through the situation, but if you don’t deal with the stress, the chemicals can do more harm than good, speeding up your heart rate and damaging the immune system.
Physical signs to look out for include trouble sleeping, mood swings, loss of interest in sex and regular headaches.
If you’re suffering from any of these symptoms, check out our Five-step action plan for dealing with stress.
4. Take up an exercise that calms you
Related to the above, exercise is a great stress-buster. Different people deal with stress in different ways, so try a few exercises to see which one you walk away from feeling better mentally as well as physically.
For example, running might help clear your mind, boxing could help you physically release your stress, or yoga might help you feel calm. Of course you could mix it up and do a bit of each!
For more ideas, see our article on exercises and relaxation techniques to beat stress.
5. Sleep better
A good night’s sleep can make the world of difference to your wellbeing. Not only will you be in a better mood, but your body will have been able to complete its overnight recovery processes, leaving you fully functioning come morning.
It’s not always practical with young children around, but if you can get into a bedtime routine yourself, you will have more quality sleep and will really notice the difference.
For tips, see our article, 11 steps to the best night’s sleep ever.
What are your tips for maintaining your everyday health? Let us know in the comments section below.