Creating Healthy Goals In The New Year For Your Family

It is easy to let your health slide when faced with the exhaustion of a new baby or young children. However, it is so important to take care of yourself!  This year, make a commitment to put yourself first on your list for the benefit of everyone in your family.

Here are some easy ways to tweak your lifestyle that will make a positive difference for your health:

Hydrate

Even if you do nothing else, drink a bit more water this year. Drinking enough water throughout the day will nourish your whole body, hydrate your skin, and curb cravings. It’s the best thing you can do to flush toxins, increase energy, and boost your immune system.

Prep Fresh Foods

It can be so tempting to grab whatever is convenient in the pantry, especially in that first year after baby is born. Exhaustion sets in and it just seems like too much effort to prepare anything from the fridge. The best thing you can do is to wash and chop up veggies and fruit for the week or buy ready-made trays so you always have something healthy on hand to munch on.

Engage in Active Fun

Exercise doesn’t have to be a chore. Find an activity you enjoy such as running, tennis, Zumba, or yoga. Maybe it’s as simple as a walk a day with friends who live close by. It could even be doing a few laps around your local mall when the weather is cold. Whatever you choose, make it something that is sustainable and that you truly enjoy.

I like to get up early before everyone else to do online workout videos. There are plenty of free workouts on YouTube that can be done in less than 20 minutes. It’s a time just for me in a quiet house to myself. Pure bliss.

Get Organized

Planning ahead will definitely save you valuable time in the long run. Plan meals a week in advance and hit the grocery store only once in a week. Set out clothes the night before to streamline the morning routine. Create a family calendar to share appointments, events, and other commitments. A little bit of forethought will be the best investment you can make for your sanity.

Prioritize Self Care

As a new mom, it’s easy to let your own self care slip to the bottom of your ever-growing to-do list. The truth is that if you don’t make yourself a priority your family is the one that suffers as stress compounds and patience diminishes. Take 15 minutes every day to do something just for you. Whether it’s a hot cup of coffee, a bubble bath, or reading your favourite magazine in peace, these few moments will help you recharge and tackle the rest of the day with renewed energy.

What are your goals for the new year?

XO The Good Enuf Mommy

Tiffany Austin is a mom, a wife, writer, and educator living in Canada. Tired of never feeling “good enough” as a new mom, she began a blog to encourage other moms to feel confident and empowered in their own decisions. Her blog, The Good Enuf Mommy, includes everything from helpful parenting advice to product recommendations aimed at making the lives of moms just a little bit easier.