Practice These Healthy Habits To Thrive As A New Parent in 2021
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If you’ve recently welcomed — or are planning to welcome — your new baby, your life will be different in the most beautiful of ways. As you learn to care for your new and miraculous addition to your family, most of your time will be spent on your child. However, it would be best if you didn’t lose focus on your own well-being. To be the best parent you can be, you need to keep yourself physically, emotionally, and mentally healthy. Check out the following tips gathered by Mindful Way Coaching.
Eat organic & minimally processed foods
Eating a clean diet is a fantastic way to feel more energized. When you eat organic, minimally processed foods, you naturally consume more vitamins and minerals than you otherwise would. This extra shot of nutrients nurtures your immune system, increases your energy levels, and improves the quality of your sleep. Plus, by switching to this type of eating, you’ll set the foundation for teaching your child about nutrition.
In addition to eating a clean diet, consult with a health professional about any supplements that might be wise to incorporate into your diet. Often, the addition of specific vitamins and minerals can deliver even more health benefits.
Start a home fitness routine
As a new parent, it is challenging to get out of the house to do anything. If you frequented the gym pre-baby, you now have to develop new and enjoyable ways to stay in shape. Thankfully, technology has made it easier than ever before to bring the gym to your home. You can now attend almost any kind of fitness class without having to go anywhere.
And while it might be tempting to hit the snooze button, starting a new fitness habit even a few days a week can make a difference in how you feel. Again, this sets the stage for modeling healthy behavior for your child.
Schedule daily self-care
Maintaining a self-care routine as a new parent isn’t easy — but it is more important than ever before. Your body and mind are under massive demands. Giving yourself even a few minutes of rest and attention can do wonders for your mental and physical health.
Remember, self-care doesn’t have to be a long, drawn-out affair. Self-care can be as simple as mindful meditation, a short yoga flow, going for a walk, or even closing your eyes for 20 minutes.
To ensure that you get these few minutes each day, schedule your self-care in advance. Whether just after putting your baby down for a nap or just before bedtime, choose a time that is right for you. Another helpful strategy for fitting in self-care is to coordinate your schedule with your partner. This way, you will both have the opportunity to do something to care for your well-being. Once self-care becomes a regular habit in your life, you can carry it with you forever and even encourage your children to make this a priority.
Mind your mouth
Speaking of self-care, it’s crucial to make oral health a priority. Especially if you suffered any issues during pregnancy like gingivitis or bleeding gums. In addition to adhering to proper oral hygiene, consider a checkup with your dentist soon to make sure everything looks as it should.
If you have overcrowding that continues to affect your teeth, you have the perfect opportunity to treat your misalignment since you’ll be spending more time at home. When the teeth are crooked, plaque and bacteria become harder to reach as you brush, leading to more significant health problems down the road. Take the time to weigh your options to see if braces or aligners are a good option. Depending on the severity, you could be a great candidate for aligners, which are more affordable than braces and produce quicker results. Byte aligners, for example, offer faster treatment and a compelling price point.
Drink plenty of water
Staying hydrated is a beautiful way to boost your overall health. Studies have shown that proper hydration can cleanse the body, improve your energy levels, and enhance brain function. And while drinking more water won’t directly increase breast milk production, staying hydrated is essential in preventing a drop in milk production. Set up a water reminder app on your phone to help you remember to drink a glass of water every hour (when you’re awake!), and pretty soon, this will be a long-standing habit that you can pass on to your children.
When working to incorporate new healthy habits into your routine, be patient with yourself. The above suggestions are meant to help you feel better as a new parent — not to cause stress. Do whatever you can in your own time, and only take on what works for your life in this new chapter.