How To Create Healthy Habits

Figuring out how to create healthy habits is not something that came to me naturally. It's always been difficult for me to stick to any kind of healthy habit. I love my sweets and they are definitely a weakness of mine.  Also I should probably tell you that I rarely workout out and didn’t take vitamins. Last year, I decided that needed to work on myself and develop healthier habits. Now at 50 years old my life looks completely different and so do my habits. This is how I did it.

 

 

How To Create Healthy Habits

Set goals: Before you create healthy habits you have to decide WHICH healthy habits you want to have. Do you want to eat healthy foods more? Do you want to exercise 4-5 days a week? Do you want to drink more water? Etc. So decide what your personal healthy habit goals are.

Be realistic: You can’t DO ALL THE THINGS so be realistic. Don’t say my goal is to lose 50 lbs in 2 months. Maybe say I want to lose 50 lbs and I am going to be healthy and do that in however long it takes. I lost 30 lbs after A was born and 25 after C. It took me nearly a year both times. Don’t force yourself to go to the gym every day if you haven’t ever worked out before. Just ease into it.

 
Don’t do everything at once: You can’t do all the things right away. Maybe focus on 1-2 healthy habits at a time.

 
Start slow: If you want to work out more just start by going. Then go the next day or maybe for a beginner go every other day. Do a little cardio and experiment with weights. Or try a new class. Maybe you will find that Zumba or Barre is your thing and you will want to go every day! If you want to drink more water see what you naturally drink in a day and gradually increase it.

 
Introduce One Thing At A Time: Like I have said don’t try doing everything at once. I remember when I started my healthy living journey I started by switching out a lot of crap processed foods for whole foods. Then I started working out more, then I started drinking green smoothies. Then I got really into my water intake. Then meditating. Then I switched to clean beauty and clean products.  It can’t all happen at once.

 
Decide what makes sense for you: Not everything will make sense for YOUR life. So you have to decide what makes sense for you, what you want etc. This goes back to goals. Not everyone wants to use only clean beauty and not everyone wants to follow an 80/20 rule for eating.

 
Prioritize Healthy Living: If you want to create healthy habits you have to prioritize it. You have to prioritize a healthy life. That may mean scheduling workouts, not going out and eating a huge dinner with friends, not having that drink every night, etc. You have to prioritize the things you want.

I would love to know how you create healthy habits.

Beating the Sunday Scaries: 7 Strategies for a Stress-Free Weekend

The Sunday Scaries refer to that overwhelming feeling of anxiety and dread that often sets in on Sunday evenings as the weekend comes to an end and the workweek looms ahead. It's a common experience for many people, but luckily, there are strategies to help combat these Sunday blues. In this blog post, we will explore seven effective strategies to beat the Sunday Scaries and make the most out of your weekends. 

1. Plan Ahead

One of the main causes of the Sunday Scaries is the fear of the unknown and the feeling of being unprepared for the upcoming week. Take some time on Sunday to plan your week ahead. Create a to-do list, prioritize tasks, and schedule your time efficiently. By having a clear plan, you can alleviate some of the anxiety associated with the unknown.

 

2. Practice Self-Care

Make self-care a priority on Sundays. Engage in activities that help you relax and recharge. Whether it's taking a long bath, reading a book, going for a walk, or practicing mindfulness exercises, find what works best for you and dedicate time to it. Taking care of your mental and physical well-being can significantly reduce the Sunday Scaries.

 

3. Reflect on the Positive

Instead of focusing on the negatives, reflect on the positive aspects of your weekend and the upcoming week. Write down or mentally acknowledge the highlights of your weekend, grateful moments, and things you are looking forward to in the coming days. Shifting your mindset towards positivity can help alleviate the Sunday Scaries.

4. Get Organized

Use Sunday as a day to get organized for the week ahead. Set aside time to tidy up your living space, do laundry, and organize your belongings. A clean and organized environment can help create a sense of calm and control, which can reduce anxiety and stress.

5. Make Time for Pleasure

Ensure you include activities you enjoy in your Sunday routine. Whether it's spending time with loved ones, pursuing a hobby, or indulging in your favorite leisure activities, making time for pleasure can create joyful moments that counteract the Sunday Scaries. Plan something fun or rewarding to look forward to on Sundays.

6. Establish Work-Life Boundaries

Boundaries between work and personal life are vital. Avoid checking work emails or doing work-related tasks on Sundays. Instead, dedicate this day solely to personal matters, relaxation, and leisure. By setting clear boundaries, you can prevent work-related stress from encroaching on your weekends and contributing to the Sunday Scaries.

7. Cultivate a Positive Sunday Night Routine

Create a Sunday night routine that is calming and promotes relaxation. This routine could involve activities such as journaling, meditating, enjoying a comforting tea, or taking a relaxing bath. Establishing a consistent routine can signal to your brain that it's time to wind down and helps prepare you for a restful night's sleep, paving the way for a stress-free week ahead.

 

By implementing these seven strategies, you can beat the Sunday Scaries and make your weekends more enjoyable and peaceful. Remember, everyone experiences the Sunday blues to some extent, but with a proactive approach and a bit of intentional planning, you can overcome them and start your week with a positive mindset. Embrace the weekend fully, take care of yourself, and ensure you have a smooth transition into the coming week.

 

Blogtober 2022- Day #10- Productivity Tips For Working Moms

Being a mom is hard. Working is hard. Being a working mom is HARD! I had someone recently tell me they felt like I always had it together and got everything done. Oh gosh that's not true AT ALL! I feel like most of the time I barely have it together and I never get everything done. But I do think I have a good grasp on productivity tips for working moms, so today I am sharing mine.

Productivity Tips For Working Moms

1. Make lists: I swear I will mention this a million times because I think lists are very important in staying productive. I truly don’t know how people know what to do each day or remember tasks without them. Especially moms. We are SO BUSY. Trying to make sure everyone’s stuff is taken care of requires lists.

2. Talk to your partner: I think communicating with your partner about daily/weekly expectations, things coming up, things you need help with etc is so important for productivity.

3. Schedule EVERYTHING: I mean EVERYTHING! I schedule everything we do, anything I need to do, workouts, etc. It’s just so helpful to see it in a calendar. Especially during this time of lockdowns and quarantines. Making a schedule of our days keeps me sane and on track.

4.  Time block: I do this specifically for work. For example when I need to work on scheduling social media I will block out 45 minutes to find articles and schedule tweets. Then 30 minutes to pin, then another hour to write a blog post. etc. This is also helpful if you have a lot of household tasks that need to get done as well.

5.  Give yourself a break at some point: At some point you will you need a break. You have to fill your cup too. So this may mean a workout class, a walk around the neighborhood, sitting with a coffee and reading for 30 minutes. Whatever it is take a little break for yourself.

6.  Meal Prep/plan: I personally find that meal prepping and planning saves us SO MUCH time and arguments about what to have, what we need etc. We plan each Sunday night for the next week. Then on Mondays we grocery shop so we have our staples, and anything we need for meals. This also saves us a ton of money because since we aren’t wasting food.

7.  Delegate: This is something I am not great with. Usually I melt down and Amy husband is like “why didn’t you ask for help?” So I am trying to be better about telling him what I need help with, hiring a babysitter when I need a few hours to get stuff done, etc. Delegating is crucial to staying productive throughout your day.

I would love to know what productivity tips for working moms you have! Share below!