MY HONEST THOUGHTS ON BALANCING MOTHERHOOD, WORK & SELF-CARE POST-PREGNANCY
Hi Friends! Welcome back to the blog! To be honest after giving birth, I thought as soon as I was cleared to exercise that I would start running and doing yoga again. I thought after a few months we’d be able to start working again at full speed and our daughter would just come along for the ride as we completed projects. I had no idea how hard it would be to fit in “me-time” as a new mama and also run a business from home. Currently as I write this blog post I am still in my robe, I haven’t showered and I need to make myself breakfast. Hot mess? No, it’s called motherhood. When you have a short nap window you do the best you can with your limited “free” time.
I thought I would be able to create a work schedule and stick to it, but there is a new boss in town. Our daughter is the priority and she changes her routine regularly. When I do get a moment to myself I try to be as efficient as possible. It’s not easy, because I’d rather scroll on Instagram or watch TV… but if I don’t take care of my health or care for our business, both will burn out, and neither are an option! Can you relate to feeling the pressure, guilt, fatigue and desire to do it all but you just can’t? How do you juggle the responsibility as a mama and if you have a job (in addition to the hardest job in the world, being a mom!) how to balance work, self-care, childcare and caring for your relationships?
What works for me right now is to try to do less. Ella and then one other big task per day is what I can handle. That may be a play-date, working out or a work project, but I still try and fit in little moments to care for my health. It could be reading a devotional while pumping (breast milk), it could be listening to music that lifts my mood, it could be getting out of the house for a stroller walk, or texting with that mama friend who “gets it” or it could be doing some yoga on the play mat next to Ella. As much as I’d like to have an organized schedule, we really are just winging it and doing our very best for this season of life. I used to put a lot more effort in self-care, because it’s just so important. A healthy and happy mama is what is best for Ella so I know that I need to still make time to care for my well-being, even it’s small things each day.
A few things I do every day that help me feel my healthiest post-pregnancy are eating lots of fresh, plant-based foods, taking vitamins to help supplement my diet, hydrating (water, water, water!) and getting outside at least once a day for a walk and fresh air.
Even for someone “like me”, meaning a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist who runs a food blog, eating well can be a challenge on days when I’m juggling being a mom, wife and business owner. I am an Ambassador for MegaFood® and honestly, if I forget to take my vitamins I notice a drop in my energy levels and mood.* Nourishing my body, with real food and quality supplements from MegaFood is essential and helps me get through my day, even on little sleep!
To learn more about my MegaFood routine, check out my Breakfast Morning Routine here!
MegaFood’s MegaFlora® probiotic, Baby & Me 2™, Vitamin D3 and vitamin C are a few supplements I take every day. What I love about MegaFood is their supplements are made with real, whole foods, with ingredients like brown rice, oranges and beets combined with herbs and nutrients. These are the supplements I took when trying to conceive, while pregnant and still now post-pregnancy while nursing. I know that I can trust MegaFood to properly nourish my body because all of their products are tested for 125+ pesticides and herbicides. They’re also the first supplement brand to have its entire line certified Glyphosate Residue Free by The Detox Project, an independent research and certification organization dedicated to bringing awareness to the public by testing consumer goods and food products for toxic chemicals. MegaFood also recently became certified B Corp which means they are committed to higher standards of transparency and accountability in their products as well as being a force for social good in the community.
MegaFood also just came out with a new product, their Adult Multi Powders which I’m so excited about! I make a smoothie every day – it’s easy, healthy and I always feel better afterI have a smoothie! These powders are easy to add to a smoothie and great if you’re not a fan of swallowing pills. Plus, when you’re pregnant sometimes your gag reflex is extra sensitive – so pill swallowing is the worst! They’ll soon be available in gender and age-specific varieties. There’s also the new MegaFood Daily Multi Powder for Baby & Me™ that supports the health of mother and developing child.* It’s a great pre- and post-natal supplement that includes Vitamin D to support a healthy mood and strong bones.* It also includes Methylated folate and B12 which are suitable for those with MTHFR gene mutation and compromised methylation.* Lastly, it contains Organic ginger for healthy digestion.* Ginger was my go-to during pregnancy to help lessen the feelings of nausea and morning sickness.
Motherhood is the hardest job in the world, I get that now. It’s not easy finding time to fit in everything on your to-do list. But hopefully after reading this post today it will remind you to put YOU on your list. You may not be able to get to the gym right now or read a book with a glass of iced-tea, but hopefully you can find a few moments throughout the day to nourish your body,, mind and spirit so that you can continue to be the great mama that you are!
I’d love to hear how you embraced becoming a mom and juggling “it all”. What do you do to care for your health now that you’re a mom? Share with us in the comments below!
*This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by MegaFood. All opinions are my own.
