extra energy tips for tired moms

Moms come in all sizes, all ages, all stages of life. We come from different backgrounds, have different experiences in life. But one thing you can associate with almost all moms? We are TIRED.

So what? I used to feel tired before I became a mom. We’re all tired. Why does motherhood make a difference?

Well, moms are on all the time. We are at the ready for the accident before it happens, for the tears before we see them. We tense on hearing the word “Mama” for the millionth time today. Some of us face middle-of-the-night wake-up calls at any hour or multiple times. Now I feel like I never really knew tired before motherhood.

Okay then, if it’s a given, what can we do about it? Moms, there are a couple ways that we can energize and be able to give throughout the day.

Tips for the Tired Mama (or Really, Anyone)

1. Get enough sleep.

Resist the urge slap me through the screen. Now there’s a pro tip, Jenn. Thanks a lot. Trust me, I know. The circumstances are not always within your control.

But, when they are, take advantage. This is coming from a mom who, the minute she gets some free time after the kids go to bed, immediately wants to stay up until midnight binge-watching a show and doing nothing but be entertained. But, if the option is sleep or mindless entertainment, I need to be choosing sleep more. Getting 8+ hours of sleep is not only beneficial, it’s healthy. It keeps your body running and helps you maintain your sanity. Worth it. (But if you can’t, just do what you can!!) Here are some tips to help you get to sleep at night, if you have trouble. 

2. Wake up early.

WHAAAAA?! Hang with me, again. Waking up earlier means you get time to set the tone for your day. You get to take control. When I get up right when I need to to be out the door on time, or worse, when my kids wake me up, the day runs me. I have to immediately get with the program and start the day running. When I have more time for me, I can get my mind in order. I can do a few things first, including the some of the tips in this list.

3. Pick three things you want to accomplish today, and write them out. 

Something that makes me want to roll over and go back to sleep? My to-do list. Writing it out helps to make it visible and a little easier to tackle. I like to even just pick three things to focus on, the things that just have to get done. Crossing them off also gives relief too.

4. Try to fit in some exercise.

Anything from a whole entire workout, a jog, a round of yoga, or even just some stretching can get your body warmed up and ready to roll for the day. It helps wake you up, and actually gives you a boost of energy. To be fair, you may not feel it in the moment. But for me, about half an hour after a workout, I feel more awake and more ready to tackle the day.

5. Meditate.

I’ve found that clearing my mind, breathing in positivity and out negativity, and focusing on an intention for the day gets my head started right.

6. Drink lemon water before anything else.

Water with a little bit of lemon juice when you first wake up kicks off your metabolism, balance out your pH levels, boosts vitamin C, flush out toxins, relieve inflammation, and help digestion. Basically, it’s a good move to get your body ready for the day. And no one wants to be tired and sick.

7. Incorporate apple cider vinegar in your diet.

One of the many benefits of ACV is extra energy, but see if it works for you. Careful! There are right and wrong ways to do it. Check out my post here for my experience and how to/not to drink ACV.

8. Do a few yoga moves. 

Pausing to do some yoga moves in the day helps me to refocus. And even just activating my muscles helps give me a boost. I like to run through a sun salutation (stand strong on two legs; fold down to touch toes; slide hands up shins to get to a flat-back pose; re-fold; step back into plank; lower to the mat knees, then chest, then chin; raise shoulders into a cobra or upward dog; go back into downward dog; step forward into a forward fold; rise back up on two feet). Or look up some poses online. There are poses meant to make you feel powerful and strong. (I like warrior poses and twists.) More yoga lessons here.

9. Get outside.

Nothing makes me more tired than being inside all day. Fresh air and sun light do wonders for the body and the mood. It also has a magical effect on my kids to get them out during the day. We try to hit up a playground once a day if possible.

10. Choose foods that help wake you up.

So I heard a rumor that apples wake you up better than coffee. I can’t verify that, but apples are recommended as a good natural source of energy. You can also grab some protein from nuts or eggs. Make a smoothie with fresh greens that contain Vitamin B. Finally, even some dark chocolate is good for a boost.

Also, I’m a big believer in coffee.

What helps you get going when you’re tired? I’ll try anything 😉