As a mom (of two active kids), a personal trainer, and a freelance writer, I'm up to my ears in family duties, clients to greet, and deadlines to meet. There's not a lot of downtime. But I've learned that without regular breathers, I get run-down and then, inevitably, I get sick. So I start my day at 5 a.m. (okay, it works for me because I'm a morning person), and I grab some peace and quiet and a cup of coffee the only time it's available -- before my world wakes up. My best friend uses the same strategy, only at night, with chamomile tea. Whatever works.
You can wash your hands and take your multivitamin every day, but that's not always enough to keep your body and mind humming. What can make a difference:
1. Follow the rule of 3
"Staying well means eating well," says Melinda Johnson, of Phoenix, a nutritionist and mom to Phillip, age 3, and 4-month-old Cameron. To make it easy to eat healthfully, Johnson says she chooses from three food groups at meals (and at least two for snacks) -- for instance, a turkey sandwich with baby carrots and grape tomatoes for lunch, and string cheese and an apple for a snack.
2. Give yourself a time-out
With three kids under age 9 and a busy teaching/coaching career, Shannon Danaher of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, relies on mini-breaks. On days that promise to be hectic, she picks a parking spot that's a five-minute walk from her school. "It gives me quiet time to clear my head as I go into work," she says, "and five more relaxing minutes after school, when I'm returning to pick up my kids."
3. Air out the house
"Even when it's cold out, I open the windows when I'm running a quick errand," says Ida Hinojos- Mahorsky of Austin, Texas, mom of Merick, 2.
And turn on your kitchen exhaust fan for at least ten minutes every day. It's an easy way to clear out dust, allergens, chemical buildup from common household cleaners, and even the pollutants we carry in on our clothes and shoes from outdoors.
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