How To Become A Planner And Become A Happier, Healthier You!

I know, I know. Who really has time to plan right? I mean, isn't that just one more thing to have to find time for? I mean who really wants to sit down and be overwhelmed with drafting up a to do list that never seems to end? Funny enough, I used to think like this and be the absolute worst at planning. But then one day, I tried it! I got out a note pad and a pen and I transferred all the chaos that was floating around and overwhelming me in my brain onto paper and then, something magical happened! I felt stress leave my body and I felt as if a weight was lifted off my chest. Just like that, and in a matter of minutes, I had a method to all of the madness! I had a plan to put out each fire in order of importance and I actually thought "oh my gosh...I can do this!"

But how does planning really come into play with health and wellness? How can taking just a few short minutes to write down a daily list of to-do's in a practical order ensure that I will eat better and move my body? Can it really ensure my mental, physical and spiritual health? I am here to tell you today that YES! It really can! You see, when life spins out of control as it often seems to do, we get overwhelmed and bombarded. We think "where do I even begin?". We get anxious and frankly, we often end up depressed. Why? Because, we start our day already feeling behind and like a failure. But the thing is friends, this doesn't have to happen! We can take ownership of our schedule and we can learn to juggle life and still keep our health in check. That only is however, if we take the time to plan.

It's no secret that most things in life that are worthwhile aren't just handed to us. They usually take time, dedication and hard work. Our health is no different. We have to work for it and we have to make it a priority. Otherwise it will fall through the cracks! Something will always take precedence over self care if we let it. If and when we fail to plan, we can easily find ourselves staying up too late, going back to old, unhealthy habits, eating our kids leftovers or out of a cereal box instead of eating balanced meals and skimping on water. Then we wonder why we crash and we get frustrated when our body back fires and yells at us "I can't do this anymore!".

My friend, caring for you your mental, physical or spiritual health isn't optional if you want to live your best life and succeed. It just isn't! So, one thing I practice, and I challenge my clients to practice as well is to take a moment or two to reflect on what I like to call their "5 non- negotiables". What 5 things are absolutely essential in order for you to stay healthy, fit and thriving? For me, it's simple and I have them down to a science. I need sleep, alone time with God, movement, whole foods and lots of water along with time for relaxation and fun every single day. When I skimp on even one of these it isn't pretty. I end up burning out much quicker and snapping at those I love and I also find that I stop enjoying life and it's activities as I once did. I also end up more often than not, with a weakened immune system and getting sick way more often than I have time for.

Okay, so what do I do to avoid this from happening? You guessed it. I take five minutes and make a list every single morning on a sticky note that incorporates all I need to do that day and in a practical order (that also checks off my mental, physical and spiritual health boxes too) once I have had my coffee! In the summer months and during the week, it usually looks something like this:

• 6:00 AM- wake up, stretch and start the coffee

• 6:30 AM- coffee, devotion and prayer time alone outside before the kids wake up (mental health and spiritual health)

• 7:30 AM- make and eat breakfast with the kids (physical health)

• 8:00 AM- do summer reading with Scarlett and review letters with Carter

• 8:30 AM- clean up the kitchen and start the dishwasher and a load of laundry (mental health- because cleanliness= less mental clutter)

• 9:30 AM- Pilates workout, fit20 workout or yoga (physical and mental health)

• 10:00 AM- eat a quick snack and then head on out to the pool with the kids (except for the days we have a doctors appointment or I work in the mornings when swimming usually takes place in the afternoon)

• 12:00/1:00 PM make and eat lunch (physical health)

• 2:00 PM rest time for me and both kids which usually consists of screentime for them and a few minutes of me laying in bed with my legs up the wall and me rocking my red LED face mask followed by a cat nap or a few minutes of reading (physical and mental health)

• 3:00 PM snack time (physical health)

• 3:30 PM house organization project or fold and put away laundry (mental health- because clutter and piles of laundry only add to a mama's stress! Am I right or am I right?)

• 5:30 PM start dinner

• 6:00 PM eat dinner as a family, talk about our day and then if time allows play a couple rounds of Uno (physical and mental health)

• 7:00 PM bathe the kids and get them ready for bed and leave the dishes for the morning (because at this point I give myself a free pass to relax and clock out for the day) (mental health)

• 8:00 PM put the kiddos to bed, take my magnesium capsules and then watch a show with Chris while sipping on a fruit flavored Bubbly seltzer water (physical and mental health)

• 9:30 PM read a few pages of my current book on my phone or Kindle (mental health)

• 10:00 PM set my alarm for the next morning, leave my phone in the bathroom (so I don't hit snooze the next day and miss out on my alone time) and go to sleep (mental and physical health)

...and there you have it- a day in the life of busy but healthy focused mama! Now how about you? What are your 5, non-negotiables for your health and how will you include them in your daily routine this summer? Let me know down below and for more on this topic of motherhood and self care check out my second book https://www.amazon.com/Mama-You-Still-Matter-Spiritual-ebook/dp/B093NR7H3J/ref=sr_1_1?crid=GBJ1P5WROVI8&keywords=mama+you+still+matter&qid=1657222124&sprefix=mama+you+still+matter%2Caps%2C124&sr=8-1!