Finding balance as a busy mum | Tips and encouragement from Belinda Norton-Smith

As a busy Mum, Australian Polar ambassador Belinda Norton-Smith understands the importance of finding a healthy life balance. If you are feeling overwhelmed by what life is throwing at you, Belinda has put together some helpful tips and words of encouragement to help you be the best version of you!

HOW TO FIND A HEALTHY BALANCE

Finding a healthy balance as a Mum can be an arduous task. There is always so much to fit in and generally never enough time between work; kids and tending the house chores.

Whether you have a full-time working career, part-time work or are stay at home Mum, each role requires a juggling act.  Finding this healthy balance comes down to finding the balance for the whole family.

Many women tend to put their needs last. While they ensure the entire family is on track, it leaves no personal time to recuperate or rejuvenate which is an unhealthy space to be in.

CREATE A COMPLETE VISUAL FAMILY SCHEDULE

The organization and planning of a household needs to be a family discussion and schedule, set up as a roster system.

The trick is to make a conscious effort to get organized. All the people living in the house help and it must be a team effort, otherwise it will not work.

The family schedule will contain all details of the coming and going of people, as well as a dinner menu and chores to be completed daily/weekly. Search online for some easy to use weekly schedules, that can be downloaded free of charge.

FAMILY MEETINGS

Open communication with all family members is integral.

The best time to do this is at dinner on Sunday night. Use this time together as a family to discuss what each person needs to get done that week. Be sure to include sporting commitments, work meetings, catch ups with friends etc. and then discuss how everyone can contribute to achieving the plan.

This should also include writing in the time for Mum to go to the gym, run, walk, yoga or even have a long bath.

The kids will appreciate being included in the process and being part of the solution.

GET MOTIVATED TO FIT IN EXERCISE: 5 EASY WAYS

• Make the training session fun. Meeting with friends for a weekly set gives us more motivation to attend and we are less likely to let our friend down. Try to mix it up a bit and try new things like a new fitness class or new venue to train.
• Get sweaty – it makes you feel better and your skin will love you for it! Sweating helps your body detoxify and clears your pores.  Set a goal to get as sweaty as possible and reward yourself with a steam at the end of the session to really invigorate.
• Focus and move to the beat by listening to loud and bass style music.  To get into the zone, try training with headphones when you are alone.  It helps the brain to switch off to the outside sounds and puts you in a calm relaxed state.
• Plan ahead and prepare a training plan. Know what you are going to do before you begin the session. Write a plan or follow a well-guided fitness program.  Ensure you complete it all.
• Motivate yourself! Build up your confidence and motivation. Tell yourself:  “OK _______(insert name)______ you are not tired, you are not the victim, you can achieve and today you will! So get going girl!”

SET FITNESS AND FOOD FAMILY GOALS

Try to walk every morning as a family, 30 minutes before school or work, or in the evening go for a walk rather than sitting in front of the TV or technology.

This simple addition to your daily routine improves family communication, as well as having a host of health benefits.

Invite the children to offer healthy meal ideas when planning for dinner. And encourage a more hands on approach by letting them help in the kitchen one or two nights a week.

GIVE UP ON MUM GUILT

Remind yourself you are not wonder women and no one asked you to be.

The less guilt you put on yourself, the more relaxed you’ll be with the concept of not completing everything every day.

Take each a day at a time and if you begin to feel overwhelmed, take a moment to reassess what needs to be done. Ask yourself, can tasks be assigned to another day or is there something I can delegate.

You don’t have to do it all! Remember to “Share the load”. Assign jobs to the children; they are very capable. They will mess it up multiple times but let them do it wrong until they get it right. They will actually enjoy the responsibility and it will instil work ethic and pride.

AVOID TIME WASTERS

Avoid the dreaded time wasters called the phone and social media. Try to avoid the scroll and reteach yourself to scroll just once and then remove the phone from sight.

Set time limits by allocating ‘social media times’. Limit yourself to 15 minutes in the morning and 15 minutes in the evening. Encourage the whole family to do the same and try to initiate technology free nights, you’ll be amazed how much everyone will enjoy the interaction and conversation.

This Mum role is hard and finding the balance is key to being a healthy and happy role model for our self and those in our family.

Health and Happiness always,

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Information in this article is not intended as medical advice and is the opinion of the featured athlete. Before pursuing any physical activity or program, you should consult with a medical professional.