Ways for Moms to Have More Energy

After the elation of your baby’s debut, you quickly realize that parenting is a thrilling, exhausting, 24/7 job with no sick days, no weekends off and “bonus pay” in the form of hugs and kisses (that do make all the hard work worth it). Keeping up a strong parenting pace is a must. Kids make the days long, but the years short, so we need ways to keep our energy levels high in order to soak in the joys and challenges of parenting before Father Time pushes our babies out the door.

Lights, Camera, Breakfast!

Skipping breakfast is a surefire way to open the door to overeating later in the day. Unfortunately, a cup of coffee does not constitute a healthy breakfast (even if it’s Starbucks!). A balanced morning meal gives you energy and sets you up for a successful day. A blend of good carbs, fiber and some protein is what to aim for in the morning. The options are plentiful. Think:  ½ bagel with peanut butter, Greek yogurt sprinkled with nuts or wheat germ, power smoothie with berries, spinach, etc..

• Drink Up Did you know the most common reason people feel tired is due to dehydration? The less water there is in your system, the less oxygen is circulating in your bloodstream. The simple solution is to make sure you are getting your eight glasses of water each day, or gulp a glass of the refreshing stuff whenever your energy lags.
• Let There Be Light Soak in some Vitamin D-packed sunlight for a mood booster. Step outside when you can and soak in 10-15 minutes of this natural mood and mental booster. If you can’t get out, open the blinds and let the light shine in on you!  Half an hour of exposure to natural sunlight each day charges your brain's production of the mood-boosting chemical serotonin.
• Bust a Move, Big or Small Exercise helps increase your circulation, relieves muscle tension (which can wear you down physically) and causes your brain to release endorphins, a natural mood elevator. It also helps you take in more oxygen and fires up your metabolism. While you should aim for a 30-minute workout several days a week, try for five or 10 minutes anytime you need energy.

Here are seven quick pick-me-ups.

• Sun salutations (yoga) 
• 10 push-ups
• 10 jumping jacks
• Run the stairs
• Chase your kids
• Do lunges and squats
• Turn up the tunes and have a dance party with your kids

Set a Bedtime  

Eight hours of sleep may be a pipedream to a mom of young kids, but five simply won’t cut it. "There’s no quick cure for a lack of sleep, no matter how much caffeine you ingest," says Debi Silber, RD. "Seeking energy through caffeine or sugar just leaves you tired and wired and prone to weight gain." If this is an issue for you, commit to getting in bed one hour earlier than you usually do. See how it affects your energy level after a few days…you should see a difference.

Quality Time with Kids 

Sometimes the right kind of parent-child time can refill your tank. You can feel hollow at the end of a day where your only interactions with your kids included eating meals, getting dressed, tracking down shoes, getting from A to B, etc. Protect some time to wholeheartedly engage with your kids. Put away all distractions and just abandon yourself to play without worrying about the pesky tasks lingering in the house. Everyone wins here.

Be Selfish

Taking a break from parenting can also give you the energy you need. Deana Curtin, Prairie Village mom, says, "Squeezing in some personal time each day gives me the energy boost I need to find balance. It may a quick workout or watching a show in the evening when the kids are in bed, but it's so important to my physical and mental health, and I feel like a better wife and mother."  Build this in and consider it an investment in the foundation of your family.

Set and Attain

Nothing feels better than putting that check next to a task accomplished, big or small. Commit to an organizational system and avoid the defeating feeling of doing a lot, but accomplishing nothing. Stick to the paper/pencil method or go digital with your favorite device. Try out some highly rated organizational apps:  Cozi, Remember the Milk, KangaDo Parent Organizer and MyLifeOrganized.

*All are available for iPhones or Android devices.

Spend Time with Energy Givers

Who builds you up, encourages you and embraces you as you are?  Identify these people in your life and make spending time with them a priority.

Don’t Compare

Choose gratitude. Embrace the life you have rather than chase the life you “wish” you had.

Beware of These Energy Zappers!

• SUGAR Sweets give an immediate surge in blood sugar and a temporary burst of energy. Soon after, though, your blood sugar levels will crash, leaving you tired and cranky.
• ALCOHOL Booze acts as a sedative and it also dehydrates you. It is harder to fall and stay asleep under the influence, hence robbing you of an energy giver: a quality night’s rest.
• BEING INSIDE It's true! Staying indoors can deplete your energy and your spirit.
• OVERCOMMITMENT  It’s hard to avoid at times, but saying “no” once in a while can be an empowering act.

Amanda Doll is always up for a new energy-boosting tactic to keep up with her 1- and 2-year-old at home and 25 students in the classroom at work.