Parenting is a rewarding but chaotic life event that no one can fully prepare for. It’s a full-time job you do for free, and you may even have a full-time career layered in between. Juggling numerous tasks and responsibilities can easily cause even the strongest parents to feel overwhelmed from time to time. If you need more energy or productivity boosts during your day, you’ll benefit from a few simple yet powerful changes to your daily routine.
Fix Your Bedtime Routine
Getting more energy during the day is as simple as changing up your bedtime routine. It may seem like staying up late to get chores done or relax is the only way you’ll have time for them, but you’re hurting your productivity for the next day. Aim for a bedtime that allows you to get at least seven to nine hours of sleep each night. If your kids interfere with getting enough sleep, consider adjusting their bedtimes to be earlier so everyone gets more sleep. Make your bedtime routine a time of comfort and relaxation. Brush your teeth, practice meditation, read a book, or do whatever you need to unwind. Try to avoid heavy screen usage before bedtime, as it can mess with your body’s natural internal clock. Make the temperature comfortable enough for uninterrupted sleep. White noise, such as the sound of a fan or ocean waves, can provide a regular, soothing background to help you fall asleep and mitigate restlessness. When you get enough restful sleep, you may be surprised at how much energy you have during the day.
Don’t Get Too Hungry
If you’re getting hungry between meals, you may not be eating enough. Your body is likely trying to tell you that it needs more energy to cope with your hectic schedule. Don’t be afraid to snack in between meals so you don’t go hungry. Snacks high in protein, such as nuts, lean meats, and Greek yogurt, can help you feel more energized. Natural sugars found in fruits and vegetables can give you an energy boost, too. If you’re on a keto diet, you can combine proteins, probiotics, and keto-friendly foods like a keto snack mix to maintain peak energy levels. When planning your larger meals, ensure they’re hearty and nutrient-rich to help balance your energy levels and keep your body strong for your long days. Food is your fuel, so you don’t want to go without it even in small intervals.
Move Every Day
You’re likely running around doing a lot of errands and chores for your kids every day, but do you get enough cardio and exercise? Take a small opportunity each day to flex your muscles and get your blood pumping in any way you can. Going for a walk, stretching your limbs, lifting weights, doing yoga, and dancing are all excellent and popular ways to stay fit and active. If you don’t use your body’s energy reserves sufficiently, it can lead to restlessness and anxiety, leaving you tired and off your game. You can even let your kids join if you can’t get alone time. Dance with them, go on a nature walk, or teach them the power of yoga. If your kids are too young, take advantage of nap times for a quiet yoga or stretching session. Every bit counts!
Schedule “Me” Time
When you’re juggling parenting and often a full career, the thought of personal space or time sounds far-fetched. While it’s true you won’t have as much time as you used to for individual freedom, it’s imperative that you make time in your schedule for it. Lighten your career workload, hire a babysitter, or squeeze in an extra naptime for the kids so you can focus on yourself. Plan a self-care date that brings you happiness, whether that’s a trip to a nail salon or an intense gardening session. If you don’t enrich your body and mind with hobbies or activities that spark joy, you invite fatigue, stress, and disappointment into your daily schedule. These activities can be thought of as a recharge of your energy battery. When you can’t practice self-care, that battery will stay depleted for parenting, work, chores, and any other responsibilities you’re carrying.
Share the Workload
You don’t need to do everything yourself, despite what you may believe. Even if you’re a single parent, you likely have friends, family, neighbors, or even coworkers willing to lend a hand with parenting or work tasks when you need them to. If you have a romantic partner, let them help you more. Be honest about the stresses you have. When you lighten the load, you’ll have a lot more energy to invest in not just parenting, but also in what makes you happy. You can also hire a babysitter, enroll your kids in extracurricular activities, or ask them for help with certain household chores.
Take a Break Together
While your daily task load as a parent is important, rest is equally so. If you don’t take time to rest properly, you’ll risk burnout, depression, and anxiety that can severely limit your energy levels—or even deplete them entirely. Take breaks often, even when you don’t feel like you need to. Take a power nap when your kids do. Use school time as an opportunity to relax on the couch for a while. Take your full lunch break to breathe and eat a nice meal. Rest breaks set a healthy example for your kids, too.
Create an Effective Schedule
You may be experiencing heavy workloads and plummeting productivity due to insufficient scheduling practices. Make sure to create a daily or weekly schedule, either digitally or physically, that helps you plan your day, especially when you need to keep track of your kids’ schedules as well. Block out time each day dedicated to specific tasks. Share a group calendar with your family to stay on the same page. Make to-do lists or set alarms to remind you of your schedules and due dates. When you maintain a set schedule, it’s easier to prepare for each day.
Conclusion
Parenting is difficult; there’s no easy button to make everything less stressful. When you set your schedule and your body up for success, you can handle the messes and unexpected chaos a lot easier. Get enough sleep, keep your body fuelled, and make sure you’re staying fit and active. Scheduling rest and private time is just as important as your busy work. Don’t be afraid to share the load. “It takes a village” isn’t a popular phrase for no reason.
