We all know that December and January can be a marathon slog for parents. There is the terrible weather, the workload that somehow seems to increase at the worst possible time, and the need to get everything absolutely perfect for the holiday season. And as soon as the holidays are done, you are staring down the barrel of the new year with plenty more rain and cold, short dark days and seasonal illnesses still to come. It is no wonder that this time of year takes a toll on us as we grit our teeth and tell ourselves that there is not that much longer to wait until spring.
However, there is no reason why we should all just cocoon ourselves in our blankets and crank up the heating until the sun comes back out. As parents, we know that this is never really an option anyway, don’t we? What we need to be doing is finding ways to take care of our families and take care of ourselves at the same time. With that in mind, we have put together a few pointers to help you work on your health and keep you on the top of your game until the spring.
Look At Your Supplies
Let’s start by taking a look at your medicine cupboard and associated supplies. We are guessing that your stocks will have taken a bit of a hit over the festive period, especially with the widely reported rise in bad colds and flus in the run up to the new year. With that in mind, this is a great time to get stocked up on all those products and medicines that you use on a regular basis. We are talking about the cold and flu remedies, the cough medicines, the packs of tissues, and those herbal tea bags that keep you going when your throat has decided that it has had enough.
Keep Everyone Getting Outside
This one can be tough when the weather is absolutely vile, and the sun does not come up until after you have started work and goes down before you are done for the day. But it is so important that you and your family continue to get plenty of fresh air and exercise even when the weather makes it seem pretty unappealing. You need to remember that there are mental health benefits to exercising too.
This point is not necessarily suggesting you get the whole clan together for a run every morning (although there is no reason why not) but getting out for a long walk or a bike ride at the weekend is a great idea to keep everyone happy and healthy. You should also make sure that you are getting at least 150 minutes of exercise every week. Try and carve out some time in between your work and family commitments to get your heart rate up.
Find Natural Remedies That Work For You
If you are looking for ways that you can take the sting out of that stress or aches and pains, then healthy natural remedies could be just what you are looking for. One of the most popular options out there right now is CBD. If you are not familiar with CBD, it is a therapeutic compound derived from the hemp plant that contains no intoxicating properties. Instead, it has been shown to help with a number of different health issues, including stress, insomnia, and pain, and is a great all-natural addition to your daily health regimen. CBD is available in several different forms, including oils, jelly dots and balms. If you want to learn more about how CBD works and you want to buy CBD oil UK, then visit The Good Level. Their products are made from plants that are grown and cultivated in the UK, and they have a wealth of resources to help you learn more.
Take A Look At Your Diet
One of the great joys of the holiday season is that we all get to indulge ourselves a little (or a lot). But when January rolls around, it is time to take a step back and start to make some healthier choices. If you want to improve your general health quickly, then cutting down on or cutting out alcohol is one of the best choices that you can make.
Alcohol contains loads of empty calories, it is a depressant that can affect sleep, and reports show that we have all been drinking too much over the last couple of years. But it is not all about the booze. Sugary snacks can give you a quick burst of energy but there will always be a crash to follow. We should all be looking at how much red meat we are eating, not just because of the impact that it has on our cholesterol and heart health, but because of its environmental impact.
Switch off your mobile before going to the bed, or at a minimum avoid checking it during the night at least 30 minutes prior to going to bed, so that you can relax and prepare yourself for a solid sleep.
Instead of establishing a specific time to go to bed (for yourself) every evening, which can result in stress if do not stick to it, consider setting an interval of 30 to 45 minutes for the time you’d like to be asleep.
When you’re done for the night, take a moment to relax by reading in a book or recording a few thoughts regarding your life in your notebook.
Consider investing in blackout curtains as well as an audio machine that can whiten your room to ensure your bedroom is set up for good sleep.
Buy an oil diffuser with essential oils (generally $10-$30 from Amazon) and browse the many calming scents available, such as lavender or blends that are specifically designed for sleep, to enjoy a spa-like environment within your own home.
If you are having trouble sleeping, or are consistently tired, speak to your physician. You could be suffering from sleep apnea, or another health issue.