When you’re rocking a positive mindset, feeling confident in your own skin and full of energy, you feel invincible, ready to tackle whatever life throws at you. Many of us strive for this and aim to live life in this ideal state. However even if we reach it, this can sometimes be a temporary phase – something might come up that throws us off course and may result in us feeling down, uncertain and unsatisfied, back to square one.
It’s not easy, keeping that positive vibe going. But there are some things we can all do, for ourselves, to win back that feeling of confidence, happiness and va-va voom; a lot of it is down to our lifestyle and the choices we make, from what we eat to how much exercise we do. Our bodies are amazing and powerful things, so let’s make sure we’re treating them right to help us get the most out them 🙂 In collaboration with Alive! and as a busy, active working mum, here are my top hacks that keep me happy and help me to perform at my best:
VARY YOUR FOOD
Eat a rainbow of fruit and vegetables, try a mixture of grains like brown rice, quinoa or buckwheat and enjoy different protein sources like pulses and tofu. Opting for a the right balance of healthy foods (while keeping it interesting!) massively helps to keep your immunity system fighting fit. Life’s too short to not enjoy some treats too, but take a look at your diet as a whole and make sure the bulk of it is going to fuel your body to give you the energy it needs to perform. I find slow release carbs like sweet potatoes and oats really keep me going when I’m running around after Tom, smashing workouts and doing lots of work.
GET OUTDOORS
It’s amazing how getting some fresh air and even some sunshine (if we’re lucky!) can make us feel better. Since Tom’s been born, I’ve been out with him in the pram on 5 mile walks every day just because it clears my head and gives me energy. You don’t need to trek miles but walking to work, getting out at lunchtime or going out for the day at the weekend with your friends or family can do us the world of good.
SUPPLEMENT YOUR DIET
Even if you eat a healthy, balanced diet, you might want to consider taking supplements. Your body needs calcium in particular to build strong bones and teeth, regulate muscle contractions (including the heart) and to support normal blood clotting. That’s why Alive! Calcium Soft Jells are ideal for meeting your daily requirements, as well and they also contain as Vitamin D and Phosphorus to support normal bones and teeth. Complete with a unique dried blend of 26 fruits and vegetables, they are suitable for vegetarians and come in a delicious natural strawberry fruit flavour. I’ve been taking 2 of these a day and am reassured my body is getting the extra vitamins and minerals it needs.
MAKE TIME TO MOVE
Finding time to exercise can feel impossible – but that’s not a reason to not do anything! MAKE time to move. You don’t have to spend hours in the gym – try a 15 minute high intensity interval training (HIIT) workout at home, go for a run in the park on your lunch break, or take the dog on a long walk in the evening now it’s light. Just being more active on a day to day basis can also make a difference to your energy and mood – every step counts! I work out from home in the lounge on a morning with some simple bits of equipment (kettlebells, a mat, free weights and a resistance band) while Tom’s playing next to me – sometimes I even use him as a weight!
DON’T SKIP BREAKFAST
It’s called the most important meal of the day for a reason – it boosts your energy levels to set you up for the day, aids concentration and helps stop you snacking before lunch, so it’s important not to skip it. Preparation is key, whether that’s getting the bowls, spoons, cereal and fruit out the night before, or soaking oats in milk or yogurt overnight so you have overnight oats in an instant – just add some fresh or dried fruit and nuts in the morning. Make a huge batch of granola on a Sunday so you have it for the week, or maybe make some healthy breakfast bars if you need to grab something on the go.
THINK POSITIVELY
We all catastrophise sometimes and it can feel like the end of the world. But focusing too much on the impact can really bring us down. Instead, take a step back and ask yourself what’s the worst that can happen? Put things into perspective and swap unhelpful thoughts for more constructive ones like ‘how am I going to sort this’. By turning the situation around and coming up with a plan, you’re bound to feel better!