Wellness feels like a new trend, yet it has always been around. What has changed over the years, though, is how much I think about and value my own wellness. When I was younger, I thought wellness was all about how I looked. Now, I see wellness as connecting the dots between who I am and who I want to be. To achieve my wellness goals in this stage of my life, I’ve had to develop a wellness mindset as a mom.
There are tons of wellness trends and weird consumer pressures. Like, why do I feel so pressured to eat protein? I see a constant emphasis on “high protein.” Diets from influencers include muscle gain, weight loss, protein hacks, or powders. I can’t help but think I’m doing something wrong in my quest to develop a wellness mindset as a mom. I know protein is important. Protein helps build muscle, repair tissues, and reduce cravings, but do I really need as much as it’s emphasized?
I consider myself an average mom. I have three kids, I work out of the home, and I am moderately physically active. I’m also entering perimenopause, and I feel like my body is changing again. I’m trying to piece together what this new stage of wellness is for me.
Here’s what I’ve discovered works in developing a wellness mindset as a mom.
Focus on the Big Picture
In the past, I was hyper-focused on one wellness concept at a time, typically exercise or nutrition, because that’s what I first think of when I hear the word “wellness.” While those are wellness concepts, there is a lot more. Now I’m trying to integrate whole wellness – intellectual, emotional, environmental, social, and financial, plus physical and nutritional.
Create Measurable Goals
While it’s good to incorporate all aspects of wellness into one big picture, I have also recognized the need for creating goals that are measurable. Taking my big picture goals and turning some of them into SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Timely) goals. Like, schedule a date night or find time to connect individually with each child, or send one text to connect with friends.
Small Steps for Big Wins
In addition to being focused on only nutrition and fitness, my goals have been too big in the past. I’ve often had an “all or nothing” mindset. Being a mom doesn’t always allow for a lot of free time, so I’m finding value in small (hopefully) consistent moments to build a bigger dream. One small step at a time. Eating a serving of carrots, doing two sets of a workout, resting, or reading. It’s all adding to my “wellness bank.” I’ve learned that when I’m overly strict, I set an unrealistic commitment and lose motivation or simply quit. Even as busy as I am, carving out 10 minutes a day for 1-2 activities is a realistic way to develop a wellness mindset as a mom
I Matter Too
I want my kids to see that while I love them and our family, I also love myself. As a mom, it’s easy to prioritize kids and others over ourselves. Self-care may feel selfish, and it is time away from family, but I always feel better after I do something that adds to my wellness bank, which actually does make me a better mom. I think of the airplane crash survival training you get at the beginning of your flight – secure your oxygen mask first. I’m trying to throw away the guilt and add self-care to my daily to-dos.
Prioritize Basics
Motherhood can be distracting and pull you in multiple directions at once. I’ve come to recognize that my basics matter – sleep, food, and mental load. When my basic needs are met, I can do all (or some!) of the other things on my list. I have a clearer and more positive mindset.
I also do a “brain dump” to help get the mental load out of my head. Sometimes this happens in the middle of the night when I can’t sleep. Writing things down helps to calm my mind.
Focus on Feeling
I’m learning to focus on how wellness “feels” too. I don’t find all wellness activities to be satisfying. Listening to and learning the things that bring me joy and saying no to the things that don’t is an essential part of developing a wellness mindset as a mom that I can stick to long-term. Running – no, thanks. Yoga – yes, please! More fun and less work.
Schedule Time
It’s hard to find the time when other things take priority or require effort. I notice that when I schedule wellness activities to my to-do list, I’m more likely to complete them. For example, I have my weekly gym time on my family’s shared calendar. Everyone knows I’m leaving to work out Saturday morning. It also helps me to schedule around that gym time instead of finding the time to do it.
Progress, not perfection, right? I’m learning that wellness is a journey. It’s not perfect. It’s about me taking action within my life in a way I want. Learning how to develop a wellness mindset as a mom is important to me, and I am committed to building it into my life. How do you incorporate wellness into your life?
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