Hey Mamas!
It’s that time of year again. Time to reflect on the past year and to think about all the things you accomplished… okay, and all the things that got swept under the rug and forgot about until this very moment. It’s a mom thing. We are the hardest on ourselves. Always thinking we need to do more, to be a better mom and have a picture perfect life. We can honestly only do so much.
So, I wanted to create a list of simple changes you can make to boost your life for 2023. Be realistic and figure out what will work best for you. Don’t think you have to tackle everything on this list, it is here to inspire you. Set some intentions on your year and get it done! You got this!
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1.Stick To A Morning Routine.
” IF YOU WANT TO MAKE YOUR DREAMS COME TRUE, THE FIRST THING YOU HAVE TO DO IS WAKE UP.” -J.M Power
Wake up after the first alarm. Don’t be hitting snooze 2-3-4 times. Your brain will learn that it is time to get up and out of bed, instead of starting your day bitching about having to get up. This shift alone will make your day a whole lot easier, I promise! Make your bed right when you get up, open the blinds to let the beautiful natural light in and put on clean clothes! No more rolling out of bed and staying in your sleepy jammies.
Earth Mama Organic’s Herbal Teas
2. Move That Body.
Sitting disease is a real thing, especially nowadays. Making sure you get up and move every 30 mins will increase your longevity and can help your brain function better.
Here are a few things you can do to add in more movement during your day.
- Park further away in the parking lot.
- Commute to school or work via walking or biking.
- Use a standing desk at work.
- Take the stairs.
- Carry and play with your kids (your probably already do this, but talk about strength training!)
3.Practice Meditation/ Focus On Breathing.
What a better way to practice being in the present, than meditation. This doesn’t have to be a long process. It can simply be closing your eyes and focusing on your breath, or there are guided meditations if you need assistance getting to that space. Allow yourself to turn off your brain and move your energy internally. Meditation can increase your self awareness and reduce stress. The lists go on and on with the benefits from practicing meditation and deep breathing.
Set an intention and add this into your daily routine. You wont regret it!
4. Mindful Eating.
Mindful eating doesn’t have to mean a new fad diet or more vegetables. It can simply mean chewing slower, or pay attention to the smells and flavors of your food. Many of us eat because we are bored or in a hurry and we eat too fast, shoveling food in, not even tasting it half the time. Sound familiar? I know it does for me… I have kids, I get it! But, not chewing food well can lead to upset stomach, indigestion, feeling bloated and poor nutrient absorption, among other things.
Be mindful when you eat!
5. Make A List Of What Makes You Happy.
Writing down what makes you happy will further assist in manifesting happiness. Gratitude is a powerful thing and not only will you feel better, you will have a note book of wonderful memories that are full of positive thoughts and experiences and happiness.
Smile more, it looks good on you!
6. Set Intentions.
Intentions are much different then goals or wishful thinking. Intentions are guiding principles that assist you in achieving something you desire. What are you aiming to achieve and how will you get there? When you are intentional about something, your focus becomes about the movement.
You may get to shift some limiting beliefs first, but in doing so, your intention will be simple, clear and positive.
7. Create Time for You.
Self care is not selfish. You get to take care and love yourself, so that you are capable of loving others. Self care can be many different things and the best part is you are the only one that knows what you need and what you deserve to start feeling like yourself again.
8. Set Boundaries.
Healthy boundaries are the limits, or the “invisible fence” you place around your time, emotions, body and mental health so you can stay in your power, and true to who you are. These empowering boundaries or fences act as a protection so that you aren’t being used, drained or manipulated by others in your life. Maybe these relationships are at work, at home, in social circles or even with strangers.
Although these boundaries are not actual borders, walls or electric fences, you will need to do some communicating with others to set these boundaries in place. Let these people know what you will and will not tolerate in your life. Empower yourself to take charge of your life.
9. Read More.
Reading not only allows us to tune out and turn off social media, it gives us insight into the world, other people and ourselves. Reading helps improve focus and memory. It teaches empathy and communication skills and it helps reduce stress.
There are many great books worth the time to read. This is definitely an improvement that I get to create more of is year. Create the time to sit down, relax and pick up a good book, like this one… You are a Badass.
10. House Plants.
House plants have a special way of breathing life back into a room and adding a very calming vibe to your space. They are one of my most favorite things! Yes, I am a plant lady! But, why not? They boost your emotional and physical well being. But, the majority of the time, I hear people complain that they do not have a “green thumb” and let me tell you, neither did I…at first. Until one day, I figured it out.
My suggestion is to start with something super easy and doesn’t take a lot of effort to keep alive, like a spider plant. What is better than a spider plant? Multiple spider plants! These are fast growing and produce “babies” that you can snip and re-pot. Your home will be filled in no time, just like mine! Just remember lots of indirect light and weekly watering.
11. Dry Brush.
Your skin is your largest organ. Take care of it. Dry brushing exfoliates your skin, aids in detox and helps your lymphatic system drain. Dry brushing increases blood flow and stimulates your nervous system. It can be a quick regimen to add to your morning routine before you hop in the shower.
I get it though, there are a lot of days that I am lucky if I remember to put on deodorant. Adding in a whole other thing can be tricky, but the benefits will impact your life and health. Add it to your intentions and make it part of your day just like brushing your teeth! Here is the DRY BRUSH I use!
12. Eat Breakfast.
Eating breakfast actually helps jump start your metabolism, keeps blood sugar and blood pressure levels steady and can also help improve cholesterol levels. Keep in mind you get to make healthy choices for breakfast and not rely on pastries and donuts.
Here are some healthy breakfast ideas:
- Greek yogurt with fresh berries and granola (Make sure to read the ingredient list)
- Avocado toast on multigrain, whole wheat bread with everything bagel seasoning.
- Chia seed pudding with coconut milk and fruit.
- Acai bowl with almond butter, fruit and chia and ground flax seeds.
- Smoothie using a variety of different fruits, veggies, oat, coconut or almond milks, collagen/protein powders and MCT or coconut oil.
13. Work On Having Good Posture.
Having good posture not only helps eliminate pain and discomfort but it can help digestion and improve blood flow. Maintaining good posture is a constant conscious effort and takes practice and awareness.
Feel the difference between slouching and sitting or standing in alignment. What do you feel? Having good posture should make you feel more attentive, happy and confident.
14. Get Sunlight.
Getting daily sunlight is incredibly beneficial. Things like improving sleep, reducing stress, strengthens your immune system, fights depression and anxiety, aids in weight loss and keeps your bones strong. This is a very simple thing to do to keep your body and mind healthy. Remember sunscreen to protect your skin. Here are a few CLEAN sunscreens to try:
- Pipette Mineral Sunscreen. (By the way, we use ALL the Pipette products for my boys and we LOVE them all.)
15. Handle Your Finances.
Financial stress can be incredible scary and create a huge amount of emotional and physical tension. Some things that can help decrease stress around your finances are:
- Creating a plan of action. checklists can help you see what you need to pay and when.
- Plan for the unexpected. Save a little bit every paycheck for those unexpected things that pop up in life. They happen and it feels good to be able to take care of it and not stress.
- Communicate. Keep an open conversation around money and bills with your partner. Having these discussions can actually help relieve stress.
- Set up Automatic payments. This can help when life gets hectic. It’s always a good idea to make sure the payments are correct and not just blindly pay what they ask. Sometimes things get mixed up and is incorrect. But, overall automatic payments can be a lifesaver.
- Tackle your debt. This can be a major stressor, but the more you plan, and budget, you will be surprised how quickly you can get rid of your debt. Skip that Starbucks coffee for a few months, or cook dinner at home instead of eating out. You can do it!
16. Read Ingredient Lists Before You Buy Foods.
Reading and understanding a food label is critical these days. There are so many processed and packaged foods out there, being knowledgeable about what ingredients are being used can assist in your overall health drastically. Is the ingredient list 5 items long or 15? Is it filled with preservatives or whole, natural foods?
It is better to have less saturated fats, trans fats, sodium and sugar and more fiber, vitamin a, calcium, iron and proteins. Do your diligence and read those labels. Your body will thank you.
17. Use Mineralized Salt.
Salt gets a bad rap, but salt isn’t the real problem. The form that salt is in and the high amounts of salt that is added to processed foods to stabilize it becomes the problem. Table salt is 98% sodium chloride along with additives. Pink Himalayan and sea salts are also 98% sodium chloride but they also contain important minerals and electrolytes.
When you are buying a salt, please make sure it is a naturally mineralized salt. One that I have found that is from a good quality source is the Redmond Real Salt.
18. Go Barefoot.
Walking or standing barefoot on the ground outside (also called grounding or earthing) can have a serious effect on your wellbeing. Being in contact with the electrons on the surface of the earth can help recharge your body, putting you in a better mood, have better sleep at night and reduce pain and inflammation in your body.
Remove those shoes and let yourself get grounded.
19. Drink Water.
Everyone knows that it is important to drink water daily, right? But, do you do it? and are you getting enough? These are the questions you should be asking yourself. It is so easy to grab for something other than water when you are thirsty, however this year, make it a point to drink half your body weight in ounces… EVERYDAY! and if you are looking for an educational, interesting book, grab a copy of You’re Not Sick, You’re Thirsty.
20. Practice Daily Affirmations.
If someone tells you something often, you may start to believe it, right? That is why affirmations are so powerful. They reshape our beliefs and shift our mindset. Practice a daily affirmation, write it down and have it in a visible place so that you see it multiple times a day. Keep your affirmations positive and in the direction of where you want to go.
“Affirmations open the door, it’s the beginning point on the path to change.” -Louise Hay.
Click here for the Good Vibes, Good Life 2023 Calendar.
In Summary…
With a new year comes a time to figure out ways to enhance your life. This looks different for everyone and improvements are always a work in progress, forever revolving and constantly changing. Who knows you better than you? Trust your intuitions and trust the process. It’s time to be the best version of yourself and next year we get the opportunity to again reflect on what worked and what still needs some love and attention.
It’s ok to unleash your badass-ness and create a great 2023. There is no doubt in my mind, that you can do it.
Love, Trista
Cheers to another parenting win. Wishing you success and lots of patience!
Also, be sure to check out my other parenting blog posts. Hope they help make your life a little easier!
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