Tired of Feeling Tired?
Five Tips for Mums Who Want to Stay Energised
Hands up who remembers what it was like to have boundless energy? Too exhausted to raise your hand? I know how that feels. Let’s get real for a second. Being a mum is very rewarding, but it’s also the most demanding job in the world. It’s 24/7. So, if you’re feeling a bit tired of the demands of #mumlife, that just makes you human.
Luckily, I have some good tips for you, to help you regain some of your zest for life. Some tips will be harder to follow than others. Which brings me to my first tip…
1. Be kind to yourself
You aren’t a robot or an alien with superpowers. You are a human with needs and emotions. Always show yourself love, tolerance, kindness, patience, self-care and understanding. Don’t beat yourself up for making mistakes, being tired or irritable or not being some kind of ‘perfect super mum’. Note. You’re allowed to feel and express your emotions. It’s common to feel a lot better after a good cathartic cry.
2. Fuel your body
Some foods and drinks will give you a quick burst of energy and then a big energy slump. Consuming healthy, nutritious, and slow burning foods will give you the sustained energy you need. Caffeine, sugar, and highly processed foods are most likely to leave you feeling tired and irritable after an initial energy surge. When your energy is running low, you might even crave these things, but you’re better off giving them a miss. If you’d like to know more about eating healthily, check out this blog post. Oh, and don’t forget to stay hydrated! Dehydration can cause your energy to drop too.
3. Get up and go out
It seems counter-intuitive but doing a little exercise outside can be a great energy booster. Fresh air, sunshine and going for a walk where you can see grass and trees are fantastic for physical and mental energy. This isn’t pseudoscience either. Exposure to sunshine and fresh air boosts serotonin which improves mood, relieves stress, and improves focus. Science has also shown that looking at the colour green is relaxing and refreshing for the eyes, mind, and body. This report from Berkeley goes further into Why Trees Can Make You Happier.
4. Oranges and lemons
Sniffing and eating citrus is a great way to wake yourself up. Oranges, lemons, limes, and other citrus can help wake you up quickly – whether you smell them or you eat them. Why? Along with peppermint, citrus smells stimulate the same nerve that’s activated when you’re revived with smelling salts. It enhances mental stimulation and energy levels. Which also means you may want to avoid peppermint or citrus when you’re about to follow tip number five.
5. Get enough sleep
I’m sure a lot of you scoffed when you saw this tip. Believe me, I know what it’s like. Note. Do your best to go to bed at the same time each night and wake up at the same time in the morning. Changes in your routine can cause a kind of jet lag due to disrupting your sleep cycle. Perhaps it’s simply impossible for you to have a regular bedtime and wake up time, or you can’t get an uninterrupted seven to eight hours a night. One way to make up for the sleep shortfall is to become a power nap ninja. Try to time a nap or two in the day while baby is sleeping. If you struggle to fall asleep, try a sleep app or a white noise app.
Always remember it’s okay to ask for help from your family, partner, friends, and community. There’s a reason the saying, “It takes a village to raise a child” exists. You don’t have to do it all on your own. So, when your energy tank is running on empty, reach out to the village for support.
