As a parent, you want to give your children the best of everything. You, yourself, should be an essential part of this gift. By being a healthy parent, you guide your children by example, showing them how to deal with overwhelming times and taking time for self-care. By being in your best health, you have more to offer your family. You may concentrate better, feel more able to hold a conversation, be happier, maintain a healthy weight, avoid dangerous health conditions, and be more stable and consistent.
Regular exercise helps mood, health, and digestion
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says four out of five people in America do not get enough exercise each week. Physical activity increases endorphins that make us feel better and improve our mood. It helps clear stress, strengthen our bodies, and keep close to our ideal weight.
Stress management can add years to your life
The National Institute of Mental Health says people have several ways to get rid of stress. What works for one person will not always work for someone else. Trying different things or using a combination of techniques is often the best way to find out what works. Start by choosing what you think you will respond to the most, and then make a list of what you want to try if something on your preliminary list does not work.
Meditate and journal for regular health benefits and lasting stress reduction
Writing in a journal and meditating can benefit you in many ways. You can get things off your chest and jot down important information. If you have a health problem, then you might find the origin by checking your journal entries. List things like blood pressure numbers, sugar checks, time and duration of exercise or rigorous physical activity, headaches, and general condition. Meditation helps you control breathing and anxiety levels.
Using the journal to write down your mood and feelings will allow you to track your mental health. If you see a pattern of sad or continuous bad feelings, you can talk with your doctor to see if there is anything you can do to break the mood. They can assist you with a variety of natural and prescription therapies. Short-term medication use can get rid of depression.
Eating a diet rich in nutrients and vitamins
Parents often do not get enough healthy food in their regular schedule. It is too easy to grab fast things, eat from drive-thru restaurants, order takeout, and pick up snacks at the gas station. One way to combat this eating rut is to create a good food bin.
Stock your kitchen with fresh fruits, rolled oats, minimally-processed granola bars, fat-free pretzels, fat-free hummus, whole-grain crackers, and other healthful snacks. When you feel the urge to grab a slice of cheesecake, the healthy stuff is front and center. Probiotic drinks are also an excellent way to get essential nutrients in your daily routine.
Sleeping well will improve your mood and cut your risk of several diseases
Good sleep is not easy to find. Even if you cannot get a full nights' sleep, making the quality of the hours you can get is better than nothing. Try using a sleeping mask, blackout curtains, soothing music, rain sounds, or melatonin gummy to speed your way to deep sleep.
The Sleep Foundation recommends adults get around seven hours of sleep to maintain health. Studies show this number of hours helps a person live the longest. Shooting for around seven to nine hours a night is ideal for most people.
Everything is better in moderation, including alcohol
Stress is good in short bursts, and so is coffee. Drinking a glass of wine or going out for a few cocktails is fine as long as it is not a nightly thing. Eating your favorite foods is great when it is for a special occasion or a treat.
Having your children grow up to be healthy people means setting an example. By taking care of yourself, you make their lives much richer and fuller. When the kids grow up and move out, you will thank your younger self for keeping your body and mind in shape.
