From A Mom of 4
Hey there, tired warrior — it’s me, a mom of four, waving at you from my very cluttered kitchen table.
If you’re anything like me, health and wellness can sometimes feel like one more thing to juggle in an already overloaded day. Between diaper blowouts, snack negotiations, and mysterious sticky surfaces (why is everything sticky?), taking care of myself used to feel like a fantasy.
But here’s the truth: if we don’t take care of ourselves, we eventually run out of everything — energy, patience, joy. And that doesn’t serve our babies, our toddlers… or us.
So today, I’m sharing realistic ways parents — especially moms — can weave a little more wellness, fitness, and sanity into the chaos of everyday life.
🧠 Mental Health: Tiny Moments Matter
Before we talk treadmills and green smoothies, let’s start with what really matters: your mind.
Parenting is beautiful, but it’s also heavy. It’s okay to admit that.
Here’s what helps me keep my head above water:
Five-Minute Mental Breaks: Hide in the bathroom. Sit in your car. Breathe deeply for five whole minutes. (Lock the door. Trust me.)
Voice Notes to Myself: I record pep talks when I’m feeling good, so I can listen to them on the hard days.
Saying “No” Without Apology: If your plate is full, it’s full. “No” is a complete sentence — and it’s healthy to use it.
You don’t need an hour of meditation. You need permission to take a breath when you need it.
For more tips, check out our post on destressing with your kiddos here.
🏋️♀️ Fitness Routines: The Survival Version
I’ll be honest — “fitness routine” sounds a little… organized. (Spoiler: My life isn’t.)
Instead, I aim for movement moments:
Dance parties in the living room with my toddler (30 minutes and a lot of laughs = cardio win).
Walks with a stroller — bonus points if there’s a coffee stop involved.
YouTube 10-minute workouts during nap time. (Search “no equipment mom workouts” — you’ll thank me.)
- If you can’t get a nap workout, there’s a great YouTube channel that works out with kids!
Fitness isn’t about having a perfect routine; it’s about adding a little more movement into your real, messy day.
🌿 Wellness Retreats: Dreamy... and Doable?
When you hear “wellness retreat,” you’re probably picturing a luxury spa somewhere in the mountains with no children in sight. (Honestly? Sounds magical.)
But real talk — retreats don’t have to be far, fancy, or expensive. Here are a few ways I make mini-retreats happen without packing a suitcase:
A solo morning at a coffee shop + bookstore
A full Saturday kid-free (swap babysitting with another mom!)
Booking a cheap hotel for one night alone to sleep, read, and breathe.
One day, yes, I dream of doing a real wellness retreat (hello, massages and quiet meals!). But for now? Small escapes keep me sane. And that’s enough.
💬 Final Thought: You Deserve This
If you needed someone to tell you today, you deserve to feel good. Here I am, screaming it across the internet.
You are worth the tiny mental breaks.
You are worth the wobbly workouts.
You are worth the quiet cups of coffee and the five-minute dance parties.
Taking care of yourself isn’t selfish — it’s survival.
And mama, survival looks beautiful on you.
✨ Stay strong, stay real, and stay kind to yourself. You’re doing amazing — even if the laundry says otherwise.
With love (and lots of coffee),
A Mom of 4 Who Gets It
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