Well, it happened.
Just like that we returned to our pre-pandemic behavior and let life get
really crazy again. When people ask me
how I am, I find myself answering, “Just crazy busy.” I wasn’t going to let that happen.
Then marching band season happened, and since I have a senior and a freshman this year, we let things get away from us. Early morning practice and nighttime events, along with tough course loads and the homework that goes with them have transformed my girls into walking zombies. My husband and I find ourselves volunteering for more than we had planned and going to every night rehearsal, concert, fundraiser, etc. that we can. We’re all stressed and tired, but I honestly wouldn’t change it for the world. We get one year where they are both in the same school, playing on the same marimba, no less, and I’m not going to miss a minute of it.
Every time I watch them play, I get goose bumps. Every. Time. I can’t contain the smile
on my face watching the two of them working so hard and yet looking like they
are having the time of their lives. They
are spending time with their friends, they’re getting some exercise and
sunlight, and they’re not staring at computer screens all day. I'm a proud, happy, mama.
After the last year and a half we needed this. We really did. And yet, I find that many of the things we
did to keep ourselves sane and centered are falling by the wayside. I can’t tell you the last time I sat down and
journaled. My meditation is only
happening a couple times a week. My
Italian friend Duo keeps asking me where I’ve gone, and there’s a layer of dust
on my piano keyboard.
I know a lot of you are dealing with the same thing. You’re being asked to go back into the
office. You’re driving kids to practices
and events. You’re volunteering again. They’re mostly good things, but they take up
time and energy that you might have used for other pursuits.
At times like this we have to stop and refocus. What are the things that really matter? What can we realistically accomplish in a
day? What can we do to make it easier to
get those things done?
For me it always comes down to the Big Four: sleep, nutrition, stress, and exercise. If I can hold on to my habits in those areas,
then I have the strength and stamina to deal with all the rest.
1. Sleep is the
basis of everything. If we don’t sleep
well, then we don’t feel like exercising, we crave sweets and other carbs for
the quick energy, and everything starts to feel a little more stressful. Making that a priority over everything else
is tough, but for me it’s a non-negotiable.
Setting a bedtime for yourself is important. Mine is nine o-clock, which is tough when you
have teenagers in the house. I am
usually in bed before they are, and hope they will follow my lead, but that’s a
lesson they are still learning for themselves.
I love to exercise first thing in the morning, but if I can
sleep an extra hour on days they don’t have morning rehearsal, then my workout
will just have to happen later in the day.
2. Nutrition is also
a big deal for me (obviously—if you’ve been around for any length of time! 😊) When our cortisol goes
up in stressful situations, we often crave the sweet stuff (although some lucky
people feel less hungry). Eating it sets
us up on the blood sugar roller coaster where we keep chasing the highs and
feeling the lows in between. Staying away
from sugar and making sure we eat plenty of protein and healthy fats keeps our
bodies and brains on a stable path. We
have more energy throughout the day, we sleep better, and we’re able to break
through the brain fog. I also find that
my hormones are more stable when I eat low-carb—and I’m sure I don’t have to
tell you how hormones can affect our stress and mood!
Meal planning has become even more important, as well. Blocking time out for meal prep each weekend
is essential, including building time into each day to make home-cooked meals. Sometimes our meals are super early, but it’s
really important to me that we all eat at least a few meals together at home
each week. If you want to see what I do
to prep, read more here. If you’d like
my guide to easy meals and my meal-planning checklist, grab it here.
3. Ahh, stress. I wish I could tell you that I’m still
meditating every day, journaling every morning, and playing music every
afternoon, but that would not be true.
The best I can do is to make sure that the other three pillars are in
place, and that I spend a little time planning and organizing each day.
4. Exercise is a
huge stress reliever, as long as I’m not trying to train for anything big and
wearing myself out. Some walking or
running 4-6 times a week, weightlifting a few times a week, a little daily
stretching, and a weekly yoga class keep my body strong and my brain happy.
If we don’t prep and plan for our exercise, however, it
won’t happen. Block time on your
calendar for it. Put your exercise
clothes out the night before (mine are in the kitchen so I can change while the
coffee’s brewing!) Stretch while you’re
making dinner or waiting for your kids to get ready. Lift weights while you’re watching TV. Make it a part of your routine so you don’t
even have to think about it anymore.
You may have noticed that I haven’t mentioned health coaching in a while. Like I said, I’ve been a little busy. 😊 I’m still at it, though, so if you need someone to help you kick the sugar habit and build healthier habits around food and lifestyle, I’m here for you.
Peace, friends!
I'd love to talk to you about the program, so please book a free consultation with me by clicking the Calendly button. I look forward to talking to you!
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