So you’re exhausted and struggling to get through the day. Perhaps your baby woke you up multiple times during the night, or the to-do list you have to get through has made you fall into a heap on the couch just thinking about it.
While we’d love to tell you to pull up the covers and rest, this probably isn’t an option right now. To help you out, we’ve put together some tips to help you get through the day.
Brought to you by Emu Coffee.
Yep, we went straight there. If you enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning to kick start your day, then keep doing this. If you’re breastfeeding or trying to cut back on caffeine, the good news is that you don’t have to miss out: Emu Coffee’s Clipped Wings is a reduced caffeine blend (about 50% compared with full strength coffee), crafted from single origin Brazilian beans. Available as a bean or in a Nespresso compatible capsule, mums can have a full coffee without compromising taste or switching to decaf. So go ahead and have that afternoon caffeine hit to get you across the finish line – you won’t regret it.
When you have kids, there’s no time out. That’s why we recommend coming up with a handful of ways to entertain your little ones that require minimal participation from you. For mums of older kids, you could play doctor (you’re the patient), hold a dance contest (you’re the judge), play a game where they have to guess what you’re thinking, or play balloon volleyball (with you sitting in a chair). If you have a baby and a toddler, here’s a list of games they can do together.
Some days this can be easier said than done, but looking after yourself will lead to having more energy. This means eating right and leaning towards healthy, protein-rich snacks over a block of chocolate. Work out which nutritious meals and snacks can be made quickly and have them on hand for when you’re exhausted and thinking about going through Maccas drive-thru again.
Lastly, drink lots of water and exercise. The annoying thing about exercise is that while it might be the last thing you feel like doing when you’re tired, you will have more energy in the long run.
Showering and applying your skincare can make all the difference to your energy and mood for the day – and it should only take 10 minutes. Not only that, looking after your skin can boost confidence and self-esteem, even if it’s just cleansing, toning and moisturising.
Yes, you are a supermum. Sadly, you don’t have actual superpowers. If your child woke up nine times last night, there’s nothing you can do about it. You can’t control the fact that you haven’t had any sleep. Instead, you can focus on what you need to get through the day. If that means canceling a few plans or leaving items on your to-do list unticked, then so be it. Let it go.
There’s no shame in asking for help. If you’re feeling exhausted, sad or anxious more days than not, speak to a healthcare professional. Organisations like Panda are committed to supporting the mental health of parents. You can call them on 1300 726 306.
Remember: you’ve got this!
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