Motherhood is a journey- filled with love, joy, and countless responsibilities. In the chaos of daily life, it’s easy for moms to overlook themselves. I am 1,000% guilty of this. Through the years though, I have found that when I remember and take care of myself as a mom, by incorporating movement and regular exercise into my daily or weekly routine, It makes me a better mom and wife. Taking just a few minutes to get in some movement can have profound benefits, not just for your physical health but also for your mental and emotional health. Let me be clear in saying that this is not a “you need to work out and take care of yourself to be the best mom” type of article. I may be the first one to ever admit this to you, but being a mom is one of the hardest and most rewarding things I have ever done. Here are just a few advantages of staying active as a mom:
Your Physical Health: Pregnancy and childbirth take a toll on your body, even if you have the best and easiest pregnancies. Some of the effects it can have on your body lead to muscle weakness, weight gain, and postural issues. A few minutes of regular exercise can help strengthen your muscles, improve cardiovascular health, and boost your overall physical fitness. Don’t we all want to be that fun mom chasing your kids around at the baseball park or at their field trip, or completing a 5k with them, or maybe you simply just want to be able to walk from your car in the parking lot- to your seat at a sporting event and not feel winded. Simple daily movement is important for long-term health and all of the future memories there are to be made with your kids.
Your Mental Health: Motherhood comes with its own set of challenges that exceed far outside of just making sure your kids are fed, have a bed to sleep in, and that they survive through the day. It’s not uncommon for mothers to experience stress, anxiety, or even depression throughout their daily life and journey of motherhood. Being in the trenches of Motherhood can be the happiest of times but also the most lonely. Movement is a powerful mood booster, releasing endorphins that can help alleviate feelings of sadness or anxiety. It can also improve your sleep quality, which we all know is something we don’t get enough of. One of my favorite ways to get in movement and focus on this part of myself is putting in my ear buds and turning on a good podcast and going for a walk.
Your Energy and Stamina: Raising kids requires a lot of energy and stamina. Regular physical activity can help increase your energy levels, making it easier to keep up with the demands of motherhood. It can also improve your endurance, allowing you to tackle your daily tasks without feeling like you just completed a triathlon.
Bonding Time: This one is probably my favorite and how I complete 85% of my movement. Exercising with your kids can be a fun way to bond and create lasting memories. Whether it’s going for a walk, dancing in the kitchen, playing a sport, or doing a full body workout together. Any shared physical activities can strengthen your relationship and provide quality time together.
Be a Role Model: By prioritizing your own health and fitness, you’re setting a positive example for your children. They’re more likely to adopt healthy habits themselves if they see you making exercise a priority.
Stress Relief: Lets be honest, Motherhood can be stressful, but daily movement and exercise can be a great stress reliever. Any physical activity helps to reduce levels of the body’s stress hormones, such as adrenaline and cortisol, while increasing the production of endorphins, which are natural mood lifters!
Creating Community and Support: Community in motherhood is one of the things you will hear me talk about the most and it’s the reason I started EverydayMom. Motherhood can feel like a very lonely place at times. Knowing that you aren’t alone and having community and accountability with one another is so important in every area of your daily life. Truthfully, this is my main reason for starting this motherhood movement. With how busy our lives have gotten in today’s society we can easily follow along with each other and stay connected and check in on each other when it works with our crazy schedules as moms. You’ll have the opportunity to connect with other moms who are facing similar challenges and share your experiences and advice.
Your Self-Care: Taking the time to get in some type of movement or exercise for yourself is a form of self-care, which is essential for maintaining your overall well-being. It’s important to prioritize yourself and your health, so you can be the best version of yourself for your family. You can ask my husband- when I incorporate some type of movement into my daily routine I am a better wife & mom.
I have shared all of this to simply say, incorporating some type of daily movement or exercise into your life as a mom can have numerous benefits for both your physical and mental health. Whether it’s going for a jog, getting in a quick 7 minute workout, dancing around the living room with your kids, or walking the bleachers/stairs while your kids are at practice. Finding ways to get movement in your day and stay active can help you feel happier, healthier, and more fulfilled in your role as a mom and wife.
as always,
follow your joy!
