Are you a mom struggling with keeping up with everything? Do you wish you had more energy? Here are 10 tips on how to have more energy as a mom!
All moms I know wish they could have more energy!
When I first became a mom the sleep deprivation was hard! Then, I felt overwhelmed with all the new things I had to learn.
And I was tired.
Then, later on when I first became a single mom, I experienced tired in a whole new way.
I felt drained often – like I didn’t have enough time in the day or enough energy to get all the things done.
And there is always something to do!
Thankfully, along the way I learned some tips and tricks that have helped me get more rest and feel more energized as a mom.
If you are struggling, don’t worry there are definitely some things you can do that should help (even a little bit of help is great!).
Why Do I Have No Energy as a Mom?
Why is that many moms seem to lack energy?
Well, for one, there are so many demands on moms!
We need to take care of all the things – dishes, laundry, driving kids here and there, help with homework – often doing these things while sleep-deprived!
By the end of the day, we can certainly feel the drain of energy.
Are you struggling with:
- lack of sleep?
- poor eating habits?
- having no time to yourself?
- too much on your to-do list?
You’re not alone!
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How to Have More Energy as a Mom
If you feel exhausted and drained often, there absolutely are some things you can do to gain more energy!
Here are some things that I have done for myself that have helped me gain more energy along the way:
1. Healthy Living Habits
Taking care of your own health is top on the list.
Experts talk about healthy eating and living habits all the time, but in our fast-paced society it’s easy to forget.
Quick, pre-packaged convenience foods can make life so easy, but in the long-run they contribute to poor health and lack of energy.
Fast, sugary foods may give you a quick boost in energy, but there will often be a crash later. Plus, too much sugar is bad for your health.
Choosing healthy foods on a regular basis can help keep your energy levels higher.
While eating healthy is important, you also need to take care of your other needs: mental, emotional, spiritual, etc.
Some other simple healthy things you can do are:
- Go outside to get fresh air and sunshine daily
- Drink more water
- Limit screen time for yourself (especially right before bed)
- Make a conscious choice about what media you consume
- Take vitamins (talk with your doctor to see if you need to)
As moms, it’s very important that we take good care of our health so that we can be a good example for our kids and also live as long as we can.
Related:
Cheap, Healthy Foods
Delicious, Dirt Cheap Meals
2. Exercise
When you have little energy, the last thing you want to think about is expending more!
It might seem counter-intuitive to exercise when you are lacking energy, but that is one of the benefits of exercise – raising your energy level and increasing your endurance (so you can run after your kids!)
Not only that, but exercise helps to keep you in shape, which is important since being overweight can increase fatigue and decrease your energy.
You don’t need to join a gym or do fancy workout exercises!
Try things like:
- parking your car far from work or the store and walking in
- taking the stairs instead of the elevator
- doing Zumba sessions at home (with your kids! My oldest always joins in with me!)
- biking to work
- taking laps around the playground while your kids play
- using an under-the-desk bike while you type on the computer
There are so many simple, different ways to incorporate more exercise into your daily life.
3. Sleep
As moms, getting enough sleep is often a challenge!
As a single mom, I like to stay up late after my kids are in bed to have more “me time.” However, I have noticed that when I make sleep a priority, I feel much better the next day and have more energy.
Here are some small things that may help if you are struggling with feeling rested after sleep:
- Have your spouse help with nighttime needs with your kids
- Set aside a longer block of sleep time during the night to account for any nighttime wake ups if you have very little kids (If you normally wake up 2-3 times a night and you want at least 8 hours of sleep total, then block out 10 hours of sleep time in the night.)
- Take a nap during the day if possible
- Put away electronics 1 hour before bed
- Have a calm bedtime ritual that you do every night (a bath, reading a few chapters of a favorite book, meditation, etc.)
- Avoid caffeine later in the day
- Try to keep a regular sleep schedule as much as possible
If you have babies or really little kids, get help from your spouse and know that although it is very hard this season will eventually pass.
4. Socialize
Moms, especially moms with babies and very little kids, can sometimes feel very isolated.
Make time to socialize with friends and loved ones.
Get out regularly. Try weekly playdates with other moms who have kids around the same age as yours. The kids can play while the moms socialize.
Have regular dinner out with friends.
I meet monthly with a book club.
Schedule regular date nights as well!
Good, healthy relationships give us energy and boost our spirits.
5. Take a Mom Time-Out
This is a crazy, fun tip that I use when I feel at my max.
I noticed that sometimes my energy feels drained when I am overwhelmed by noise, chaos, and all of my “to-dos.”
This is when I take a “mom time-out.”
Put a show on for your kids or get them involved in an activity and take a time-out for yourself.
Get a cup of tea, put on some noise-canceling headphones and take some deep breaths. (I have these Loop earplugs that only block out background noise and they really help calm my nerves!)
I have occasionally shut myself in the bathroom for a mom time-out!
Or put on your favorite music and listen for a bit (or dance around!).
Sometimes 5-10 minutes to myself is enough to recharge my batteries.
6. Routines
Family life runs more smoothly with established routines. Kids especially thrive when they know what to expect from the day.
Take time to set up some routines for your kids and family. This will help your relieve your mental load and can give a boost to your spirits and energy.
Related:
Time Management for the Overwhelmed Mom
7. Pick your Battles
Do your kids clothes really need to match on a daily basis?
Do you have to do the dishes tonight?
If your home is relatively clean and tidy, does it matter if the playroom is scattered with toys?
Don’t spend energy trying to micro-manage or control everything.
Just pick your battles and let some other things go.
My girls have worn outrageous outfits to the store and it was fine.
I’ve gone to bed without doing the dishes and it was ok.
8. Say No
Moms can easily get caught up in doing “all the things”, but it’s really important to set boundaries for yourself so you don’t get mentally and physically burnt out. Plus, this sets a good example for your kids.
It’s ok to say no and put limits on what you can and cannot do.
9. Ask for Help & Delegate
I have one final idea on how to have more energy as a mom, but it’s really important.
Don’t be shy about asking for help!
If you are trying to do everything all by yourself and you are lacking energy, then you need to enlist help.
Off-load tasks and chores to your husband and kids.
If you have it in your budget, hire someone to help with tasks (like house-cleaning, mowing the lawn, etc.)
Moms are not meant to do it all alone! If you need to regain energy because you are tired and have too much to do, then ask for help from others.
Related:
Chores for Kids: Ideas for Every Age
Chore Charts for Kids
Final Thoughts on How to Have More Energy as a Mom
While we might not be able to match the energy level of our kids, there are some things moms can do right now to increase energy levels. Try some of these tips for a few weeks and see if your energy improves. I’d love to hear what things you have done that have helped you have more energy!
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