Being a mom can make your days quite busy and full. You have to drop off and pick up your kids from school, make supper every night, pack lunches, do laundry, and attempt to find a few minutes here and there. So it’s hardly surprising that your health comes last.
But self-care isn’t about fancy spa days or impossible routines. It’s about making practical choices that fit into your real life and help you to help better each day.
Here’s how to make health a habit without adding extra stress to your busy life:
Why It’s So Easy to Put Yourself Last
Most moms don’t mean to ignore their health. It’s just something that happens with a busy family life. Even when you have time, there’s always something more important to do.
Kids get sick, you have deadlines to meet at work, appointments to keep, groceries to get, and more. Some moms even feel bad about using their time to do something for themselves, even when it is for their health.
Another belief is that you’re not completely falling apart. You must be fine, but ignoring tiny problems doesn’t make them go away. After all, in fact, it can just make them harder to deal with later.
This doesn’t need ot be the case. There are small changes you can make that won’t make you feel this way.
Small Routines That Make a Big Difference
You don’t need to have hours of free time to make an effort for your health. A few simple routines built into what you’re already doing can go a long way.
Hydrating first thing should be one of the first things that you change before you drink tea or coffee, or a full glass of water. It will help with digestion, energy, and focus.
Stretch while the kids eat, using breakfast time or after dinner, wind down, and do light stretching, five minutes is better than nothing.
Prep easy meals, keep staples on hand like pre-cut veggies, rotisserie chicken, or microwavable grains, so that healthy eating comes easy and isn’t complicated.
Keep your own appointments. If you book a dentist and pediatrician visit, book your own checkups at the same time, but them on the same calendar, and this way you will never get put toward one side.
None of these takes big changes; they just need you to be a little bit more consistent.
Watching for Circulation and Vein Health as You Age
As you get older, your body gives you different signals. One area many women overlook is circulation, and they spend long hours standing. Pregnancy at any age can increase the risk of spider veins, varicose veins, or general leg issues.
If your legs are tired or heavy, have visible veins, or are swollen, these aren’t simply cosmetic issues.
These types of problems can also make it harder for you to move around comfortably, and make it difficult to live with. If you start to see any of these signs, it might be time to see a vein specialist. Most of the time, early treatment choices are simple, non-invasive, and you can get them done quickly.
Self-care that sticks doesn’t need to be a dramatic change. It just has to be realistic to stay strong. You need to have a few good habits, so pay attention to how your body feels and ask for help when you need it. You already show up for other people, so now you need to show up for yourself.
Daily Deals from a Nerd Mom 
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