Wanted: Morning mommy energy
Need a boost upon waking up? I don’t blame you, fellow mommy. Perhaps you stayed up past midnight completing chores you couldn’t do during daytime. Maybe you brought work home so you could leave work early, play with the kids, then burn the midnight oil. What if you wake up several times at night to nurse your baby? There are many reasons why a night’s sleep can leave you feeling drained in the morning.
“I’m so tired,” you must have muttered at least once in the past week. If you haven’t, good for you! If you have, you’re not alone. Morning mommy energy can be scarce sometimes. Here are some tips to get you out of that morning slump:
Get enough sleep. This is much easier said than done, but moms, we need to reclaim our energy! The less sleep we have, the more stressed out our bodies become. The risks of disease and obesity go higher as we sleep less. While the ideal number of hours varies from person to person, getting approximately seven hours of sleep is best. You’re rested just enough. So if you’re folding the laundry after midnight but trailing after your toddler like a zombie in the morning, maybe it’s best if you revisit your sleeping schedule.
Eat breakfast. Not just any breakfast though, but a high-protein breakfast. Carbs, like bread and rice, can drain away your energy. Protein in the morning helps you stay full and alert through the rest of the day. What’s a high-protein breakfast? Try a cheese omelet. Yogurt and fresh fruit. A bowl of nuts. Sausages, ham and bacon. Go for dairy and meats that are low in fat for a healthier breakfast meal.
Take a sun bath for 10 minutes. Who says sun baths are just for children? Sunshine gives you Vitamin D, which helps control melatonin (sleep hormone) levels. A sun bath can leave you re-energized and refreshed. What better way to kick off the day?
Wake up to invigorating scents. Peppermint can help you feel more alert. Try spraying yourself with peppermint-scented cologne. You could also put peppermint oil in your palms, rub them together then gently rub them over your face. Other energy-boosting scents are cinnamon, orange, lemon and coffee.
Stretch that body! Stretching is a great transition from sleep to morning, and it’s not that hard to do. Early morning stretches gently get the blood flowing through the body so you’re eased into getting that morning energy. It’s also a great way to loosen and straighten out those muscles. While stretching is a calming exercise, you can’t help but feel more ready to face the day after a few stretches. Bring it on, daytime!
The better your energy levels, the better your mood becomes, the happier a mommy you will be. Sure, there are days that make you behave more zombie-like than others, but don’t let mornings drag you down! Perform the above activities along with your kids and happy energy levels around the home will be more pleasant. Good morning!
