Guest Post from Family and Life in Las Vegas: 3 simple changes to your daily routine that will create a happier you

3 simple changes to your daily routine that will create a happier you.

It has taken me two years of adjusting to a stay-at-home mom lifestyle to figure out that there are 3 simple changes you can make to your daily routine that will result in a significant boost in happiness and energy levels.

Really, these changes are so simple and so basic that I almost felt silly not realizing them sooner.  But as soon as I began to implement them into my daily routine my energy levels were higher, my self-esteem was boosted, and I got more accomplished.

If you are only able to make one change to your daily routine, this would be the one.

1. GO TO BED AT THE SAME TIME EACH NIGHT.

I am a total night owl.  I always have been.  After I had Squishy and I began blogging, I found myself stretching my bed-times. I felt like that was my only time to get in some “me” time.  Pretty soon I was only getting about 4 hours of sleep a night.

I gained weight, was constantly tired, and pretty much didn’t want to do anything.  I even considered myself to be an insomniac.  I often had times falling asleep, and laying in bed for hours would frustrate me beyond belief.

In an effort to change this I have recently implemented a 12 o’clock curfew.  Meaning, that every night at 12am I have to unplug, and put myself in bed.  I do allow myself to read, but even then find that I am ready for sleep 20-30 minutes later.

This is huge for me.  After a week of doing this, I was waking up on my own around 8am (I have a late sleeping toddler), and having more energy through out the day.  I am sure as we add more children to our family I will have to tweak and tailor my bedtime and wake time to accommodate our growing family, but getting a full 8 hours is really important.

Added bonus?  Sleeping 8 hours promotes healthy eating.  I swear it is true!  When you aren’t sleep-deprived you make healthier eating choices and won’t grab that sugary treat for a boost of energy.

Obviously, there will be circumstances as a parent that are beyond you control with this, but the more you do it, the better you will feel.  I try and strive to make “bedtime” at least 4-5 days a week.  As I get used to it I hope to make it an all the time thing!

Now that you are waking up refreshed, and not laying in bed praying for extra minutes before the kids rise you can implement your next change.

2. WAKE UP EARLY ENOUGH TO FINISH YOUR MORNING ROUTINE.

Shower, pick out your outfit for the day, blow-dry your hair, and put on your make-up.  Or whatever it is that you did prior to having kids.  Back when I wasn’t sleeping and praying for spare moments in the am, everything was rush rush rush, go go go…

Without fail, the first thing that always got tossed out of the routine was me.  I would hurriedly get presentable, and most times showers were foregone too.  Then I would stay up late at night because I wanted some “me” time.

Getting a full night’s sleep allowed me to get up before the Squish woke up and go about my routine just like I would have prior to being a stay-at-home mom.  And honestly, doing my hair and putting on some simple make-up went a long way to set my mood for the day.  Plus I get a half hour of “me” time first thing in the am.

All right, are you ready to implement your last change??

3. EAT A FULL BREAKFAST EVERYDAY

Breakfast is your way of telling your body it is time to start the day and jump start your metabolism.  Skipping it puts your body into a panic state and it begins holding on calories you put into your body instead of using them for energy.

Basically you are missing your best chance at giving your body the fuel it needs to keep you going through the day.  Better than coffee, better than diet coke.  Breakfast sets the tone for your day.

Try and eat within an hour of waking up and choose something rich in fiber and loaded with protein.  My favorite go-to breakfast is Chobani Greek yogurt, Kashi Go Lean, and fresh or frozen berries.

If I am in a hurry, I throw chocolate protean powder mix, a frozen banana, a tablespoon of almond butter, flax seeds, wheat germ, and almond milk in the blender.  (If you banana isn’t frozen use some ice cubes.)  Super yum!!

Okay, so why has this made for a happier, healthier me?  It is simple.  Getting a full nights sleep, taking time for myself in the morning, and jump starting my day with a healthy breakfast all give me the energy and support I need to make smart choices through out my day.  It starts my day off on the right side of the bed, and I know if nothing else I already got in some quality “me” time.  I use the energy gained from these 3 changes to make sure I get a work-out in, spend more time playing with my son, and taking care of my to-do list around the house.  And that makes me happy.

Family and Life in Las Vegas

Take a glimpse into the world of a woman, wife and mother, living life and raising a family in Sin City. Follow along as this stay-at-home mom, slightly crunchy mama, finds family beyond the neon lights and all the wins and losses along our way. This is Las Vegas; Our Way!

Emily is an east-coast born, mid-western raised girl, who followed her heart west. She’s a wife to an amazing man and mama to Squishy, a silly and happy little boy. She is a baby-wearing, cloth diapering, going organic, sleep deprived, stay-at-home mom who is learning the ropes as she goes.