* You may have read this blog entry months ago on my other blog, www.urbanmamasong.com. I have decided to import the blog posts that resonate more with the theme of mamahood and living well so that you can access them here.  I have decided that urbanmamasong will be reserved primarily for my music work. 

Hey Mama, It’s not your focus–it’s your self care

A lot of you may be walking around wondering if the reasons you are not getting things done, as you’d like, have to do with a lack of focus. I have wondered the same thing myself. I can be highly motivated, but sometimes, I can’t seem to get motivated to do much of anything. I thought about what could be behind this feeling of blah that I can be immersed in.

I thought it was my focus—that if I willed myself enough, then I would get things done. There are sometimes we have to push ourselves during those times when we’d rather surf the net or watch TV, than work. But sometimes it’s something else going on. Sometimes it’s about how we are caring for ourselves that keeps us from being able to move forward with our work. So when I began making slight changes in my life and how I cared for myself, I came to the conclusion that my inability to focus was about how I was caring for self and not because I wasn’t motivated or ready.

If you are trying to figure out why things seem to not be clicking into place for you, here are few suggestions I have incorporated into my day that have made a dramatic difference in my level of productivity.

Get more sleep:

Sleep is essential for our health and well-being. Being a breastfeeding mother of a baby, this can be a challenge. So sometimes I rest when she’s asleep or I pump so that my husband can wake up in the middle of the night while I sleep.

If you have older children, you may want to ask them to play quietly while you take a short nap or incorporate a “Family quiet time.” Try getting everyone in bed early, including yourself. Getting more sleep will make a world of difference in your mood.

Go for a walk, run or bike ride

You’d be surprised what 15 minutes of fresh air can do for you. Having

children makes getting outside easier because if they are life our son, they will be eager to run around and play. If you don’t want to take your children with you, go while they re either in school or being cared for by someone else.

Have someone take care of the kids

My husband is one of my biggest advocates for taking care of myself and is always willing to take the kids provided I’ve left him milk for the baby. Check in with your partner or family member about supporting you in taking care of yourself or try doing a timeshare with friends.

Take time for yourself daily—make this a non-negotiable

Many of us make sure to schedule in play dates and the needs of other members of our family. Make sure to squeeze some time in there for yourself, even if it’s fifteen minutes.

Drink more water:

Reading this, you may think it is a no brainer, but many of us do not get enough water. Dehydration can make us feel sluggish, unwell and is dangerous. Many of us are dehydrated and may not know it. Staying hydrated makes a world of difference in how you feel. Sometimes when I am feeling low energy, a glass of water helps to bring things back into balance.

Make a green smoothie:

This is one of my favorite ways to get my energy up. When I discovered green smoothies many years, I fell in love with them. Everyone in this house drinks them!!! It is great way to get the vital minerals greens provide in a quick and delicious way.

Here’s a simple starter recipes for those of you who are new to green smoothies:

1 handful of Organic spinach greens

1 cup frozen mango

1 banana

1-2 cups water

honey or agave nectar to sweeten (optional)

If none of these suggestions work, check in with your health care provider to make sure there isn’t any underlying issue causing your feelings of exhaustion.

What are some of the things that you do for your body/mind and spirit that help you feel energized?