It wasn’t too long ago that I was pregnant with my first child. It actually turned out to be children, twin girls. We were shocked and excited, to say the least; there were no twins in either of our families. While things started off well, they unfortunately took a turn. Long story short, I ended up on bed rest only to deliver my girls too soon. They fell just a few days shy of being eligible for life-saving measures, so we spent some time with them only to bury them a week later.
Talk about a difficult time. I was off from work for a few weeks, but soon I was back juggling my demanding career, days filled with meetings, weekly airport stays, and endless to-do lists. I thought I was managing it all quite well until one day, I found myself exhausted and burnt out. It wasn’t just the physical fatigue; I felt mentally and emotionally drained too.
Fast forward 3 years, I finally gave birth again to a beautiful baby boy who is thriving today. He’s the greatest gift to our family and brings so much joy to our lives. And there I was again, a busy mom, running from one thing to the next, with an even more demanding career, more meetings, and more items on my to-do lists.
The Challenge Was…
The challenge was that I had put everyone and everything before myself. I’m not sure I even let myself truly grieve the loss of our girls and I still carry that loss with me every day. I thought I was being strong and a successful professional by sacrificing my needs, but in reality, I was heading towards a breakdown. My energy levels were at an all-time low, I was constantly feeling overwhelmed, and my patience was wearing thin. I realized that if I continued on this path, I wouldn’t be able to give my best to my family, my work, and at this point, my business.
What Worked for Me
What worked for me was a complete mindset shift. I had to accept that prioritizing my health wasn’t selfish, but necessary. I began by making small, sustainable changes. I started waking up just 30 minutes earlier to have some quiet time for myself. I used this time for a quick meditation, some reading or journaling, and intentional planning in my calendar, which set a positive tone for the day. I also made an effort to prepare more home-cooked meals and fresh snacks, ensuring I had the best options readily available. Drinking more water, getting more sleep, and taking short breaks during the day became non-negotiables for me. I used supplements to support me when I knew I wasn’t taking the best care of myself. I became a part of a wellness community that has become my family, my friends, my business partners, my accountability.
My Advice Making It Work For You
My advice to other busy, high-performing moms is to recognize the importance of self-care and stop feeling guilty for things you shouldn’t. It’s easy to fall into the trap of believing that we don’t have the time or that our needs can wait. But the truth is, when we prioritize our health, we’re better equipped to handle the demands of our daily lives. We become more resilient, focused, and present for our families and work. Stop sacrificing your health for the sake of others. Stop focusing on all the things you aren’t doing. You aren’t a better woman because you have a longer to-do list that you celebrate you finish every day. To-do lists are designed to be never-ending, so let it go. I created my community to give women the space to understand how to use supplementation to support them in prioritizing their health and making time for themselves.
Already feeling overwhelmed and exhausted? Start by making small changes. Find moments in your day where you can focus on yourself, even if it’s just for a few minutes. Incorporate movement into your routine, even if it’s a short walk or a quick yoga session. Pay attention to your nutrition, both macronutrition (the food you eat) and micronutrition (the supplements you take), ensuring you’re fully fueling your body. And never underestimate the power of a good night’s sleep.
Benefits of Prioritizing Your Health
When you take care of your health, you’re not only benefiting yourself, but also those around you. Your energy and positivity will reflect in interactions with your family, colleagues, and friends. Prioritizing your health also sets a powerful example for your children, teaching them the importance of self-care and balance.
Practical Tips to Get Started
- Schedule Your Self-Care Time: Just as you schedule meetings and appointments, schedule time for self-care. It could be a workout session, space to journal your thoughts, or simply reading a book.
- Prepare Your Meals at Home: Home-cooked meals can often feel time-consuming I know, but I use services like Hello Fresh to make it easier to cook daily. Often preparing your own meals reduces the temptation for overeating and unnecessary snacking.
- Stay Hydrated: Keep a water bottle with you and set reminders to drink water throughout the day. I also like to use apps like Waterllama to help me keep track of hydration.
- Get Enough Sleep: Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep per night. Create a bedtime routine to help you wind down and improve sleep quality. I love to make hot tea with one of my gut health supplements and then get in my sauna mat for at least 10 minutes.
- Move Your Body: Find an exercise routine that you enjoy, whether it’s a morning run, a dance class, or yoga. Consistency is key. My favorite right now is Grow With Jo on YouTube.
Prioritizing your health is not a luxury, but a necessity. By making your well-being a priority, you can lead a more fulfilling and balanced life. Start small, be consistent, and remember that taking care of yourself is the best thing you can do for your family, your business, your relationships, and your career. When you feel good, you perform better in all areas of life, creating a positive ripple effect that benefits everyone around you. If you’d like more information about my Stop Sacrificing Your Health Community, message me here or book a call, and let’s make our health a priority together.
Talk soon,
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