Today’s moms juggle many responsibilities at once. We may be holding down full time jobs in addition to working in the home and taking care of our families. Making it through rush hour, picking up the kids from soccer practice, putting dinner on the table, taking the dog for a walk, helping with homework, and if we’re not flat out exhausted, enjoying some quality time with our spouse can all be challenging.
Many of us have already been through the trials and tribulations of raising a family, and are perhaps enjoying an empty nest with different priorities. We now have time to focus more on our careers (or contemplate a second one), our health, our partner and our home. Our kids are grown up, our career is steady and possibly even starting to wind down after years of hard work. We might be looking forward to expanding the vegetable garden, or visiting those far-off places we didn’t have time for before.
Wherever you are in life, it’s important to try and enjoy each day, and good health is a crucial part of being able to do that.
So how do you stay healthy and physically and mentally balanced while being the nucleus of your family? How do you age gracefully while contending with the stresses of daily life? With Mother’s Day this weekend we thought it would be the perfect time to discuss staying healthy and focusing on you!
Each little bit counts!
We all know the benefits of exercise, yoga, meditation, or at least taking some time for yourself to relax. But what if you have no time? Then it becomes extra important to incorporate healthy habits into your daily life. Take the stairs instead of using the elevator. Park further away and walk to your destination. Do stretches while brushing your teeth, making lunches, and folding laundry. Turn off electronics earlier in the evening and do some deep breathing exercises before bed to clear the mind. These acts while small, contribute to a healthier body and mind.
I’m walking on sunshine…and it’s time to feel good!
When we’re tired, it’s easy to just plunk down on the couch with a pint of chocolate fudge ice cream and binge-watch a favorite show. While perhaps emotionally satisfying, that lack of activity and sunshine has caused as much as 50% of the world population to become Vitamin D deficient! This reduction of the “sunshine vitamin” can impact your mineral absorption causing bone issues such as osteoporosis and skeletal defects. It has also been shown to cause a decrease in muscle mass which may attribute to why many of the elderly sway or have more frequent falls. Yikes! Not only will proper amounts of sunshine improve your mineral absorption helping to ward off some of the negatives of aging, but it can also greatly boost your mood and improve your cognitive function. So make a point of getting outside and into the sunshine every day for your daily dose of Vitamin D – you’ll feel better and be stronger for it!
Healthy….Fats?
It sounds like an oxymoron, but we love our healthy fats! Not long ago, we were told “fats are bad!” but in time we’ve learned that a healthy diet should consist of 20-35% of our calories from healthy fats, namely those of the monounsaturated and polyunsaturated variety. Many of these fats have the added benefit of Omega-3 or Omega-6 which are essential fatty acids that our bodies don’t create. The most common healthy fat foods include fatty fish such as salmon and mackerel, nuts, seeds, tofu, and plant-based oils such as olive, safflower, or peanut oils. These foods may help reduce the level of bad cholesterol, reduce heart disease, and contribute vitamin E (essential for beautiful skin) to the diet. A triple win!
It’s Easy being Green
We’re talking about the tea! Green Tea (also known as Camellia sinensis) is made from unfermented tea leaves and of all the teas, it contains the most bang for the buck health-wise! We all know that a little caffeine can help kick start our bodies and brains in the morning, but results from many studies have shown that green tea may also benefit the heart, battle those free radicals, and fight oxidation as we age. Theanine, an amino acid found in green tea, has been found to reduce menopausal symptoms such as night sweats and hot flashes. You “hot mamas” might want to trade in your coffee for some green tea goodness!
An Angelic herb?
Angelica sinensis, known as Dang Gui or Dong Quai in Traditional Chinese Medicine and “Female Ginseng” in some circles, helps to maintain women’s hormone levels and address other female health concerns. This herb has been used to quell menstrual cramps and help with general fatigue for centuries, naturally balancing and supporting a woman’s unique rhythm. As a busy mom with too much on your plate, Angelica sinensis may be a perfect addition to your health-based toolbox. We’ve made it easy to have it handy throughout your crazy days as part of our Women’s Vitality formula.
So this Mother’s Day, take some time to savor life and take care of yourself by spending a few minutes soaking up the sunshine and enjoy a healthy fat meal. And for some extra oomph, have it with a cup of green tea! Celebrate your strength and womanhood by feeling great!
Have a wonderful Mother’s Day! And be sure to check out our Bamboo Pharmacy Women’s Formulas to help support a healthy life!