6 Easy Energy Boosters for Tired Mums

Teaching self-love and self-care to our children is one of our most important roles as a parent – but it also one of our hardest duties. Why? Because we’re notoriously bad at looking after ourselves.

So let’s put self-care front and centre by focusing on the biggest thing we are lacking – energy!

(In future articles, we will also try to find extra boosts for those other big things lacking in our lives – time and money – but for today, let’s find some energy.)

Give yourself a much-needed and well-deserved lift with these quick and easy energy boosters for tired Mums.

Mums of the Shire’s 6 Easy Energy Boosters for Tired Mums

1. Better snack options

Mums are very bad eaters – it’s almost like a badge we wear proudly. We start off the day with several coffees, followed by kid’s leftovers, and then snack on increasingly sugar and carb-laden foods as the day goes on.

One of the quickest and simplest ways to boost your energy is to eat better. Wherever possible, avoid processed sugar and carbs, and instead go for good quality proteins, healthy fats and whole sources of natural sugar, such as fruit or vegetables.

Feed yourself first (I know – it sounds so weird – right?) and always have protein snacks on hand ready to grab such as boiled eggs, nuts, cheese, and carrot sticks with hummus or natural peanut butter.

Going a whole day of just having fruit and vegetables once a week is another excellent energy booster – and you’ll be surprised by how this doesn’t make you feel hungry!

2. Add a supplement

Adding an extra coffee or an energy drink is one way to give yourself a boost – but it isn’t a very good one. These sorts of drinks offer little (if any) nutritional value and are guaranteed to give you only a short boost of energy, followed by another slump an hour or so later.

Feeling tired? It’s likely you’re lacking in some vital nutrients – some of the most common ones that Mums are low in include iron, calcium, vitamin B and D, and magnesium.

You should schedule a blood test and a thyroid test with your family doctor to make certain that you aren’t deficient in any particular vitamin or mineral and everything is working as it should be.

But in the meantime, you can add a daily supplement to raise your energy levels.

Ginseng is a lovely herbal supplement that boosts energy naturally – so adding some ginseng to your diet can also make a difference.

 

3. Distract yourself

Did you know that one of the reasons you could be feeling so tired is that you’ve been focussing too long on one task? Human minds are meant to be distracted, and to switch from one thought and one task to another continually.

If you feel as though you’re falling asleep in what you are doing, try doing something else.

Scheduling set times to go and distract yourself is a healthy way to stay alert and focussed on your daily tasks the rest of the time.

Taking a short time out to switch your brain onto something completely different is a great way to recharge it.

This could mean watching some mind-numbing TV for a little bit, listening to a podcast, or playing Candy Crush or a similar simple game on your phone.

It could also mean distracting yourself while you’re doing tasks you don’t like, such as ironing or folding the washing. If you watch a funny show or listen to some boppy music while working this will help keep your mind awake and happy during a task that normally gets you snoozing.

4. Move

Getting outside for a quick walk, even a teeny tiny one, will give you an instant boost. Many Mums think that if they can’t get a proper workout in, then it’s not worth trying something as minor as a ten-minute walk.

A quick stroll helps in so many ways. It gives you instant fresh air and sunshine on your body, waking up your senses, refreshing you and refocusing your brain.

Seriously, just ten minutes – it’s really that easy.

If you can’t get out for a walk, doing a few minutes of light stretching can also really help to wake your whole body up and you can.

Get the kids involved in a yoga session or a dance video designed to include them. There are some fabulous inclusive videos from Cosmic Kids Yoga and Just Dance on Youtube.

5. Drink water

Drinking more water is always a good idea. You can’t ever really overdose on water – but we’re certainly guilty of not getting enough. It may make you go to the toilet more often, but getting up to go to the bathroom will also give you a little energy boost.

Buy yourself a cute reusable drink bottle and keep it with you at all times, just taking little sips. Make sure that you empty it and refill it at least twice across the day. Start with it beside your bed and have some water after you wake up – even before you get up.

Add some lemon juice or a herbal tea infusion for extra oomph.

6. Remember to breathe

Learning to take a deep breath in, and giving a long, deeper breath out, can improve your day in a bunch of ways, not the least of which is a lovely energy boost.

Deeper, belly breathing wakes you up and clears your mind, and is also the number one way to reduce your stress in any given moment.

You can set a reminder on your phone to remind you to stop and breathe. It may sound silly but it’s funny how often we forget to do it properly!

 

So, the next time you are tired, and you need (and deserve) an energy boost, instead of reaching for a coffee or something sugary, try one of these easy options.