Simple morning habits for parents that have transformed my days, therefore my life.
We all think change and transformation happens overnight.
Which couldn’t be further from the truth.
Changes in your life happen when you make small changes everyday that feel really uncomfortable.
Like anything else though, the more you implement them, the less uncomfortable they are, and the more normal they start to seem.
As parents, we all know that our days start early.
Those late nights are replaced by early morning breakfast and family walks.
If you do have late nights, your little ones will quickly make you realize that it wasn’t the best idea to stay up late after all.
Instead of trying to fight it, or complain about it, why not lean in into this phase of life?
I was never a morning person. I loved staying up late and sleeping in as long as possible.
Until my first born. I slowly, and begrudgingly, become a morning person.
Now, I wouldn’t have it any other way. There is nothing like the stillness that the morning brings. When everything is quiet. The sun starts to rise and the birds start to chirp.
Embracing my mornings before my kids wake up and staying committed to these habits has brought out so much happiness in me that I never thought possible.
Simple Morning Habits For Parents
- Make the bed as soon as you wake up. “Making your bed every morning is correlated with better productivity, a greater sense of well-being, and stronger skills at sticking with a budget. It’s not that a family meal or a tidy bed causes better grades or less frivolous spending. But somehow those initial shifts start chain reactions that help other good habits take hold.” — Charles Duhigg, The Power Of Habits. It is also associated with better sleep when sleeping in a tidy environment.
- Tongue scrape. It removes bacteria and improves your overall health. [1]
- Hydrate. Your body does a lot while you are sleeping. Instead of reaching for coffee to spike up your cortisol levels, reach for water to nourish your body properly.
- Sit in silence. It can look like a meditation, a self-awareness check-in, prayer, journaling, or setting an intention. This is the time when your brain waves are still in alpha. Meaning, it is not fully aroused yet. This helps you become more mindful and less reactionary.
- Move your body. We all know that physical exercise is important. Instead of waiting for the entire day to go by to then move your body, why not get it out of the way? When you wait until night time, you are less likely to do it. Especially as a parent because of how exhausted you are.
- Cold showers. To give you a good wake up and to make you more mentally resilient. Which as parents, we absolutely need.
- Gratitude. It releases neurotransmitters (dopamine and serotonin) that make us feel good from the inside out. [2]
The more we show up for ourselves so that we can feel good, the more we can show up for our children. Remember, they are always watching. Our habits become their habits. There is nothing more powerful than that. You can single handedly change the future generation by simply changing yourself.
You don’t have to do them all or even everyday. Choose 1 thing at a time that you want to do consistently. See for yourself how it will change your life and you will crave for more organically.
Are you ready to start living your life differently?
Tired of paying the price of all the stress and putting yourself and your health last?
There is a way out.
That other way out is through a health coach. Your own personal coach that will look at all areas of your life, to see how you can make changes.
Changes that will create long-lasting results.
These changes come from looking at nutrition, self-care, movement, and daily habits.
As your coach we will work on a step-by-step plan together on reaching all of your health goals and then leaving you empowered to continue making changes on your own.
If you are ready to start living well and say goodbye to the stress and burnout that has you surviving instead of thriving – contact me now.
Let’s Chat
How are you guys feeling this summer?
We’re doing lots of swimming at the pool these days. Florida summers are HOTT. Which reminds me – I recently bought my kids this swim vest that was recommended by their swim teacher. I highly recommend! It gave my 5 year-old so much confidence. It also gives me peace of mind if I am not looking for a second at him. Water safety is so important.
Also, stay hydrated out there! Eat lots of hydrating foods like watermelon, cucumber, cantaloupe, strawberries, grapefruits, pineapple, peaches and oranges.
Right now, I am having a thing for cherries. They are known to help you sleep, prevent cancer, muscle pain, and inflammation. It is full of fiber, vitamins, minerals and nutrients. Lets not forget, they are so tasty.
Life Update
I officially booked my explant surgery! I am doing it ON my 34th birthday this year. October 2nd. LOL. It feels pretty symbolic. I have had implants for 11 years. I was young and naïve when I got them. Now, not only does it not align with my values of holistic health, I definitely know it is the culprit to my minor aches and pains that I have in my neck and upper back.
For those of you with breast implants that feel generally unwell – you should google breast implant illness.
Have any of you out there gotten an explant before? If so, I would love to hear your experience.
As always, thanks for being here.
Alejandra at Living Well Co.
References
[1] The effect of tongue scraper on mutans streptococci and lactobacilli in patients with caries and periodontal disease. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16032940/.
[2] 9 Apr 2019 by Madhuleena Roy Chowdhury, BA. The Neuroscience of Gratitude and Effects on the Brain. https://positivepsychology.com/neuroscience-of-gratitude/