Five Things I Do Daily To Stay Healthy

Being intentional about my health is one of my biggest goals for this year. I have a huge task at hand - building a business while caring for my family - and the only way I'm going to succeed is if I'm at my very best. Pregnancy takes its toll on your body and mind and I was at a very low point with both last year.

As I've gotten older I've realized that my mental health is just as, if not more important than my physical health. In fact, the two are so intertwined that the word 'health' to me is so much greater than it was when I was younger.

I want to be a healthy mom and good example for my kids, so I have started doing these five simple things each day that have made a tremendous impact on my overall well-being.

Take a vitamin.

I started taking a prenatal vitamin right after I found out I was pregnant with Finn. I took one daily until I stopped breastfeeding him at around 8 months old. I didn't take one for the year between that and when I got pregnant with Reese and I doubt I'll stop taking them ever again.

Not only am I sick less often, but when I am sick, I'm not as sick and for a shorter amount of time. Even better? My skin, nails and hair are all so incredibly healthy, it's insane. I've never had my hair longer than I do right now and I'm obsessed with it. It's so strong and silky and I contribute all of this to taking a prenatal vitamin. I get comments on my hair a lot and when I do, I always mention that it's the vitamins! I recommend any woman of child-bearing age, whether you are planning on getting pregnant or not, to take a prenatal vitamin. There is magic in those things.

Drink my weight in water.

I recently heard a stat that felt like something I could totally get on board with - my daily intake of water should equal, in ounces, half of my body weight in pounds. For example, if I weighed 100 pounds (which I promise I haven't weighed since about sixth grade) then I should be drinking 50 ounces of water per day. Challenge accepted.

Since I've started doing this I can tell a positive difference in my energy level, in my mood, in my skin, and in mental clarity. I'm also eating less, which is awesome! It's fairly easy for me to make this happen, too. I found a jug that was given to me in the hospital when I had Reese and if I drink about three full jugs per day, I've more than reached my goal.

Move.

Once upon a time I was a college athlete and was running six miles per day. Now, I've got absolutely zero time to myself, but I know how good I feel when I do get out and move. Since having Reese and quitting my job, I've made a habit of getting out of the house and walking four miles at least three times a week. For the days that I don't go walking, I do a twenty minute YouTube workout.

I used to work out to be fit, but these days I work out for the mental benefits. I usually have an audiobook or podcast playing or completely let my mind wander. It's in these moments that my creative juices get flowing and I feel the most energized.

Count my blessings. Literally.

I've fully accepted that the power of attraction is everything in life and whatever attitude you put out into the world is what you will get back. I have started making a habit of taking time out of every day to reflect on everything I have in life. However, I try not to get too big with my thankfulness. For example, of course I'm thankful for my healthy and happy family, but I try to find a single moment out of the day that made me smile.

• Reese napped so well today and every time I went to get her out of her crib she had that goofy smile.
• Finn told the funniest story about his friends at school. He is learning new words every day!
• David brought me coffee in bed this morning and texted me out the blue to tell me he loves me. Gosh I'm lucky!

By focusing on the little things throughout the day, I find myself stopping in those moments to take them in. I go out looking for those small moments that I'm grateful for, which in turn creates more of those moments!

Rest.

I allow myself to rest. I have to. I need it. My body and my mind need to be completely distracted from motherhood and work and laundry and bills and every other aspect of crazy adult life. If I don't rest, I burn out. It's just a tendency I have. I become complacent and start to procrastinate and things start to fall to the wayside. I have been intentionally giving myself permission to take a break every single day. Nothing good was ever accomplished by forcing myself to do it.

How do I rest? Well, sadly I'm not a napper, because that would be my first choice. But I do love a good reality tv show. I watch way too much garbage tv to even care to admit, but by getting wrapped up into a world of ridiculousness, I'm so far away from my to-do list that I come back to it feeling fresh and ready.

If you are in some kind of rut in your life right now, I highly recommend taking a break from whatever it is that you have been doing and rest. It's by far the best thing you could do for yourself.

What do you do to stay healthy?