Though the pandemic is far from over, the world is reopening. People are returning to the workplace, the kids are back in school, most activities and events have resumed, and everyone is attempting to adjust to the new normal.
While it should be good news, you’re having a difficult time. You’ve developed some habits that make it hard for you to get back into the swing of things.
Being home all those months had its advantages, but as a mother, it was also stressful. With your kids in the house all day, balancing your work, household chores, relationship, and parental responsibilities is overwhelming.
So, you turned to coping mechanisms and habits that probably weren’t the best. You’ve got to get back on track, but you have no idea where to start.
Fortunately, you can turn things around so you can get back to enjoying life and being the mom, wife, professional, and woman everyone remembers.
Under or Overeating
Some women admitted to developing poor eating habits. When feeling overwhelmed, some mothers turn to unhealthy foods for comfort, eating way more than they should. Others reported that the stress prompted them to skip meals. Both of these habits are harmful to your health and wellness. Your mind and body both need proper nutrition to function efficiently.
To overcome this habit you’ve developed, you have to resolve the core issue – stress. Identify what has stressed you out, then come up with a way to eliminate or reduce the problems. For instance, if parental responsibilities are too much, ask your partner, relatives, or friends for assistance to lighten the load. Once you’ve reduced the stress, begin making an effort to eat three well-balanced meals and healthy snacks every day.
Drinking Alcohol
It’s not uncommon for people to have a glass of wine, a beer, or some other alcoholic beverage after a long day. Be that as it may, when one drink turns into a bottle or more, you may begin to develop an unhealthy relationship with alcohol. If you don’t break this habit, it can lead to dependency or the development of alcohol use disorder. If you’re able to quit cold turkey, perhaps it’s best just to stop drinking.
If you’d like to change your relationship with alcohol, it’s best to get help. Talk with your doctor or a therapist about your options. Solutions might include online therapy, medication to stop drinking alcohol, or an outpatient rehab program.
Lounging/Laziness
Life before the pandemic was already hectic for many households. So, when the world was shut down, and no one had anywhere to go, some moms took advantage of the opportunity. Realizing that they didn’t have much control over the circumstances, they threw caution to the wind and took a much-needed break. They lounged around in their pj’s, spent time with the kids, and pretty much threw all routines out the window.
Though there’s nothing wrong with taking a reprieve from everyday life, too much lounging leads to disorganization, slowed productivity, and lack of structure. It makes handling necessary matters a lot easier to avoid and complicates getting back to “normal.” Not to mention, lounging around all day can also increase risks for diabetes, heart problems, high blood pressure, weight gain, isolation, and even depression.
It’s time to pick yourself up off the couch or out of bed and get back to it. Create a schedule and routine based on your current lifestyle. Get up and get dressed, prepare meals instead of ordering takeout, set a work schedule, complete household chores, and of course, make time for yourself and your family. It can take time to get back on track, but as long as you strive to do something productive every day, you’ll break that lazy habit in no time.
When life as you know it seems to be falling apart, it’s easy to turn to unhealthy habits to cope. Unfortunately, once you start, it’s hard to stop. If you’ve been guilty of undereating, overeating, drinking alcohol, or simply being lazy amid the pandemic, you’re not alone.
Now that everyday life is changing once again, it’s time to get it in gear and let go of the things holding you back. Hopefully, these suggestions will help you get back to being the amazing woman you are.
Photo by Lala Azizli on Unsplash
