New School Year, New You

The kids are back in school, but that doesn’t mean your life slows down. Busy stay-at-home moms know that making changes in an already hectic schedule can feel impossible, but with these easy tips, you can easily transform your routine and your life to make this school year the best and healthiest yet—for you, and for your kids!

Make Exercise a Priority

Busy schedules often facilitate unhealthy habits. Putting family first sometimes means we let ourselves get distracted from the care we need, and one great example of this is exercise. From heart to mental health, maintaining a regular exercise regime is essential to feeling the best you can. If you’re trying to lose some weight, or just want to get back in shape, now is the time to do it. If too many other priorities take up your time while the kids are in school, don’t let exercise fall to the wayside. Make it a family affair and let your kids exercise with you. Depending on their age, you can do at-home yoga, plan a family jog, or try a workout video that will feel like a game to them. You can even select a workout video streaming subscription that will provide the best workouts on a weekly basis. With routines you can complete in the comfort of your home, you’ll run out of excuses not to get into the best shape of your life.

Stop Smoking

If you’re a smoker, this is your year to stop. We hear it all the time, but many with a smoking habit know it’s easier said than done. If you’re ready to make a change, try out a great cigarette alternative from a company like NJOY, who offer vaping kits and supplies that provide the relaxing feel and sensation of smoking without the addition of thousands of harmful chemicals.

Kitchen Fun

Try out new recipes this year and revamp your health through better nutrition choices. Cut back on the snacks and load up on fruits and veggies the next time you hit the grocery store. If you’re not incorporating low-fat turkey into your family meals yet, try it this year with easy to make recipes. Instilling awesome food habits in your kids while they’re still young can really help them in the years ahead, and setting a great example for them should always be at the top of our list.

Water Is Key

Water makes up 60 percent of our body weight, but many of us are grossly dehydrated and we don’t even know it. You may hear it all the time, but do you heed the warnings? Many of us don’t get the water that we need on a daily basis. Dehydration can lead to a host of health issues, including weight gain, fatigue, poor concentration, and other awful consequences. Even scarier, this bad habit can transfer to your kids. A recent study showed that over half of American children were dehydrated. Amazingly, being dehydrated can even affect your driving skills! These scary facts make it more obvious than ever that proper hydration is essential to living a healthy lifestyle. For an easy water guideline, you can follow the old adage of eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day, or, take your weight and divide it in half. The corresponding number will indicate the number of ounces you should drink in a 24-hour period.

Meditation Works

It might sound crazy to take time out of your busy day to do nothing, but it could end up being one of the most important steps you take! Meditating can be a soothing form of inner reflection that provides a host of health benefits. Many who practice meditation purport that it is a critical part of growth and development, and also helps ward off the nasty effects of stress. We can all use a bit of rejuvenation, and meditation could be just the ticket.

Better Sleep, Better Life

Some of us think of sleep as a luxury that we just can’t afford, but that shouldn’t be the case. Better sleep can improve every single area of life. Proper levels of rest can reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. It can also lead to a better sex life, less pain for those of us dealing with chronic issues, and of course, better mood.

You owe it to yourself and your kids to make this year the healthiest it can be. Follow these tips and you’re well on your way to the new you.

*photos credited to Pixabay.com