By Eloise Wellings, Olympian, philanthropist and mama
The juggle is real! In between my work responsibilities, training and being a mama, keeping up my energy levels is a must if I have a hope in hell of keeping up with life’s demands.
HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR DAILY ROUTINE
1 // DIET
Keep it simple… plenty of fresh, unprocessed foods, with a good balance of carbs and protein that are rich in iron and B-vitamins. Iron is essential for transporting oxygen in the blood and for energy, and B-vitamins are responsible for energy production. Tuck into some dark greens and legumes, lean meats and wholegrains, which are packed with energy-boosting nutrients. My fav meal right now is a piece of steak with baked sweet potato and steamed broccolini and baby spinach. Yum!
2 // SLEEP
Getting enough rest is a given, which is sometimes easier said than during mamahood. In an attempt to get 8 hours of sleep, I make sure I get to bed nice and early, not long after tucking my daughter into bed, and leave the chores for early the next day, when I’m feeling much more refreshed and not half asleep the night before. It’s all about balance, and as you know, no one day is ever the same – but early morning rises gives me more peace and quiet, and a bit of mama me time.
3// SUPPLEMENTS
Even though I have a pretty well-balanced diet, I also normally take two supplements for an added boost. The first is Ubiquinol (the active form of CoQ10), which is responsible for energy production in the cells of our body and helps support our energy levels. It is a potent antioxidant found naturally in our bodies, but from about the age of 30 it starts to decline! Yup! I also take Magnesium as it helps to relax my muscles and helps with managing muscle fatigue and cramps.
4 // EXERCISE
Exercise releases ‘feel good’ chemicals called endorphins which can greatly affect both our mood and energy levels. For mamas looking to get back into an exercise routine, make sure you listen to your body’s signals and don’t be hard on yourself. Everyone should try to fit in at least half an hour of exercise each day. Even if it is just a brisk walk to and from the bus stop, or a walk around the block – it’ll make you feel so much better and far more energised.
5 // HYDRATION
Many mamas are walking around in a state of dehydration (without even knowing it). If you’re feeling thirsty, you’ve actually already lost 2 to 3 percent of your body fluid. And have you noticed dehydration makes you feel tired and lethargic? That’s because of lowered blood volume. So make sure you’re drinking 8 cups a day, and if that’s a struggle, add some fresh lemon or orange for flavour or invest in a reusable water bottle and take it with you EVERYWHERE.
