Running a business and being an entrepreneur is hard work, add being a mom into the mix and suddenly your day gets swallowed up. So I created an infographic, “Healthy Lifestyle Tips” to help you remember to take care of yourself. It takes just a few moments to do, but we just don’t schedule the time to look after ourselves.

.Health tips

Let’s start with the most important one, SLEEP! As mom’s of little people who have needs and nightmares during the “sleep hours” and husbands with their own agenda. Getting enough sleep can be a tricky balancing act, but without at least 6 – 8 hours, you run the risk of many health problems. We also tend to be more prone to grumpiness and the more tired we are the bigger problems feel. That same problem, that same misbehaviour by the little people can be handled much better and with more grace and ease on 6 – 8 hours sleep. Let hubbster know if he wants “any” then earlier bedtime is required, allow hubster to do one of the nightmares or help fulfill a little persons need, take turns.

REFLECTION or meditation or prayer time. Those precious moments that allow you to look ahead, or behind and process. Time to plan and strategize, but also time to check in on yourself, How are you today? I missed my reflection time recently, between hubby and the mini being sick, and then bubby off on work related travels and I slipped into a depressive state. This got me into serious trouble with a dance colleague, as it was clearly evident in my performance! But because I had missed my check in, I had missed that I wasn’t just tired, I was actually depressed.

EXERCISE, I believe in doing what you love, that way exercise doens’t feel like exercise. But that doesn’t work for everyone! I know mom’s who hate to run, but love the solitude and reflection time that doing so brings them, so they walk run. Find that thing that will get you up and moving and just do it! 2 – 3 times a week, just 30min get yourself moving. It’s the best way to combat stress related to life in general! Blood pumping; endorphines flowing, it’s mostly free feel good vibes.

FOOD, for many of us (I include myself) eating is a way to cope. It’s not the best way to control your environment, but for many of us, it’s about the only thing we can control. Extremes range from over eating to extreme calorie control. Over the years, I have done a lot of soul searching and some counciling to help. My biggest “aha” moment was when I sat down with a dietician and we looked at what I was eating, how I was eating and came up with a plan that works for me.

DOWN TIME, for me my non work, family day is Sunday. I had to work really hard to boundary that time. But am so very glad, that although it was difficult these precious moments are now secured and the family knows its our time.

I have a passion for making order out of chaotic numbers and papers. With 20 years experience, I have mastered getting those admin ducks to obey and stay in their rows.

Melanie Standing with her laptop