As you already know, parenting changes everything, from the daily routine to the definition of self-care. Honestly, it pretty much changes how you handle day to day health and wellness, right? Besides, before kids, looking after your health might have meant gym classes, balanced meals, and long stretches of sleep. Once you’re a parent, there’s the occasional deep breath between “Mum, where’s my shoes?” and “Can you hold this?” Well, that’s if you’re lucky enough to get that of course.
This is a collaborative post
Now, you see, it’s not that parents stop caring about their health, that wouldn’t make any sense, right? Well, instead, it’s just that everything becomes about convenience and getting through the day. The issue is that some of those shortcuts quietly turn into health mistakes that no one really talks about (or maybe just no one really realises). They build up slowly, leaving you drained, foggy, and wondering why you feel ten years older than your age.
So, if life’s been feeling like one long stretch of tiredness, there’s honestly a pretty good chance that one of these health habits might be to blame.
Are You Running on Coffee and Leftovers?
Okay, so for starters, there’s nothing wrong with caffeine, well, for the most part, there isn’t. But it does become a problem the second it becomes your main food group. For example, coffee replaces breakfast, biscuits count as lunch, and dinner is whatever the kids didn’t finish. So yeah, it’s easy to justify when you’re busy, but it wrecks your energy levels.
Caffeine might give you a short burst of focus, but without proper meals, the crash hits hard. No, really, just think about it, you’ll have to deal with low energy, irritability, and constant fatigue becoming the norm. Overall, you seriously need to keep in mind that coffee works best as a boost, not a meal replacement. So it’s best to just pair it with actual food, even if it’s something quick.
Scrolling to “Relax”
Ah, the sacred post-bedtime scroll, honestly, who doesn’t do it? Like, think about it for just a second; it feels like the only peaceful time in the day, catching up on messages, watching a few videos, pretending to shop online without buying anything. It’s comforting in the moment, but it’s not the kind of rest your body needs. Okay, okay, maybe you know that, especially if you’re seeing overstimulating content, and you’re guilty of just doomscrolling too.
Maybe you already know this, but blue light is bad for your eyes, also using screens at night can mess with your sleep schedule and your eyes in general. Honestly, you’re better off just reading a book. But some people prefer their phones, so if you’re inclined, just lower the screen brightness at least, and just give your eyes a real break. Plus, you also need to keep in mind that a gritty, dry feeling is a sign they’re exhausted.
Sometimes it helps to buy contact lenses that are designed for comfort during long screen hours. But seriosuly, a tiny change can make staring at a phone at midnight slightly less punishing.
Sitting Like a Pretzel
Well, not necessarily like “criss-cross applesauce” style, but more like how you’re sitting and the posture itself. So, between work, feeding, cleaning, and playing with kids, posture becomes an afterthought usually, right? Like, there’s the hunched shoulders, twisted hips, awkward sitting positions while balancing a baby on one arm, and yeah, it all adds up. So, before long, back pain sets in, and no position feels right anymore.
Just keep a closer eye on how you sit and stand, just try not to hunch, that’s all you really need to do here.
Forgetting that Rest isn’t Just Sleep
Everyone knows parents don’t get much sleep, at this point it’s just a fact in life. But even so, rest isn’t just about hours in bed. It’s about giving your body and mind moments of calm throughout the day. Okay, mayeb that sounds so horribly generic, but it really is true. Maybe give yourself like two minutes of quiet, a short walk, or even a deep breath at the sink can make a real difference. But you can’t postpone actual rest (and doomscrolling doesn’t count). Usually, the problem is the fact that parents often postpone rest, convincing themselves they’ll relax once everything’s done. The problem is, that time never comes. The to-do list just resets. It can’t be stressed enough here that rest isn’t a luxury, but it’s maintenance. But really, without it, burnout becomes the default setting.
Accepting Burnout as a Phase
Well, speaking of burnout (from above), that actually needs to be addressed here too. Now, you absolutely need to understand here that burnout isn’t a season to power through. Like, you absolutely need to see this as s a signal that something needs to change. Usually, parents often mistake it for normal tiredness or assume it’ll pass when the kids start sleeping better or school begins. But burnout doesn’t fix itself, like it never can and it never will. Instead, you’re just going to be dealing with that lingering feeling that doesn’t end.
Sometimes the solution is simple, like saying no to a commitment, asking for help, or taking a guilt-free break. Parenthood is demanding, but it’s not meant to feel impossible.
Treating “Tired” as Normal
While yeah, it’s true that tiredness becomes part of parenting, but that doesn’t mean it’s healthy. Just because sometime is deemed normal, it doesn’t immediately mean it’s healthy, or safe, or whatever. There’s the usual sleep deprivation that comes with babies, but then there’s chronic fatigue that lingers for months or even years. It affects hormones, focus, and mood, and it’s not something that fixes itself.
Skipping Health Appointments Until “Things Calm Down”
Alright, who actually hasn’t been guilty of any of these sort of things? Yeah, it’s pretty much the classic parent trap. So, there’s the health check-ups, dental appointments, and eye exams keep getting pushed back because life’s too busy. Except life never really slows down, does it? Sure. you make sure that your kid gets all of their checkups, you make sure of that. But what about you?
Well, putting off these small appointments might seem harmless, but those little delays can turn into years of ignoring small issues. Yeah, health doesn’t always demand dramatic changes; sometimes it’s about keeping the basics in check before they spiral into bigger problems.
Confusing Productivity with Progress
It’s easy to feel that being constantly busy equals being successful. Honestly, that’s what people already thought before parenthood, right? But yeah, it does seem to be a bigger deal nowadays too if you think about. Parents fill every spare moment with chores, work, and responsibilities, leaving no time for recovery. Oh, and social requirements too of course. Sure, it feels satisfying in the moment, but being productive 24/7 keeps stress levels high and energy low. But you know, less is more, so why not just do less? Well, maybe try to do less sometimes.
How did I do?
Did you enjoy this post? If so, you should check out more of the ‘usual’ type of stuff I write. Honest, relatable rants about parenting three young boys. With a touch of swearing and a lot of sarcasm. You’ll like it! Check out my Mum Life section or head to my Travel Section for some UK family holiday and days out inspiration.
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