Unfortunately, winter is the season for colds and flu and it is really important to support your immunity this winter. You can’t avoid them but you can be proactive with your health and immunity this winter. You can use my tried and tested tips to boost your immune system, stay healthy this winter and beat the winter slump.
In winter we escape the cold weather inside with heaters which recirculates the air from those who have the virus that causes the cold. Viruses are very sensitive to UV light, therefore, less UV in winter, more viruses. There is also a gene responsible for slowing down the body’s response to infection. This gene has been found to be more active in the summer months.
Tips to be proactive with your immunity this winter
Love your gut
Fermented foods contain probiotics and encourage the growth of good bacteria for a healthy gut. They help to eliminate toxins and boost your immune system. Fermented foods and drinks (such as sauerkraut, kimchi, kombucha or pickled vegetables) and the gelatin in homemade stock will decrease inflammation in your gut.
Get some vitamin D
Sunlight provides your body with vitamin D. Vitamin D helps to boost your immune system. Organise your days to be outside for even a small amount of time so you can take in some sun. It may be walking to work, walking the kids to or from school or eating your lunch outside.
Start with breakfast
Breakfast is important to maintain your sugar levels and reduce stress. If you put your body in a state of fight or flight you will lower your immunity. To make it easier to not skip breakfast you could get up a little earlier to ensure you have time for breakfast or better still organise your breakfast the night before. For example, soak some oats, make bircher muesli, add smoothie ingredients in bags and place them in the freezer.
Restful sleep
Melatonin is the hormone that your body releases to promote sleep and we need darkness to trigger the production of melatonin. This is why you feel sleepy in wintertime. Your body repairs and renews cells during sleep, which may be why skimping on sleep increases the risk of catching a cold. Bright lights from computers and televisions are disruptive to your sleep so try to turn them off at least one hour before bed and avoid sleeping with your phone in your room.
If you enjoyed these tips but are feeling like there’s never enough hours in the day to implement them. You’re always wishing you could just have a bit more time. Let me help you feel more organised so that you actually have time for the things that YOU want to do like being proactive with your health without letting anyone down.
Book a free 20 minute ‘Time Review’ NOW
Imagine being able to connect with other mums experiencing the same struggles without leaving the house? Wellness Hour is held once a month. It will help you connect and identify your biggest struggles, feel supported, discover the secrets to better wellness and finally, enjoy time without the distraction of life or kids.Click here to learn more.
For most kids, bad weather means boredom, especially in the winter when they couldn’t be having fun outside. When little ones get bored, bad behaviour sometimes ensues, which can lead to problems for everyone. That’s why it’s important to help them find ways to stay entertained indoors, but that’s not always easy to do, especially if you want them to be educational at the same time.
Fortunately, there are several educational online activities that will keep your child engaged and happy while he learns about various topics. From math and science to art and language, there are all kinds of great apps and websites just for kids that have safety features built in. Not only will they stay entertained for quite a while, but you’ll also have peace of mind that they’re using their time wisely.
Keep reading for some great tips on how to find fun and educational online activities for your kids when the weather is bad.
Photo credit adobe stock
Starfall
There are many learning sites out there, but one that has been popular over the last several years is Starfall. This learning website helps kids with reading and phonics and has a vast array of activities, from basic letter recognition to reading plays and comic books. Some classrooms utilize this site, so talk to your child’s teacher to find out if you can sync his activity time with the classroom’s.
EarthScienceJr.
If your kiddo loves science projects and experimenting, this site has a ton of great ideas that utilize things you may already have at home. Many of the games and activities mentioned have a creative element or involve building, so they are perfect for a variety of age ranges. Go here to check them out.
Balance free time with real-life math applications
Many kids say that math is their least favourite subject, but that could simply be because they haven’t found the right way to utilize it in the real world. Helping your child find ways to use math concepts that make sense to them will help boost their confidence and may even hike their grades up, so check out this site, which offers tons of great ideas on how to do just that for every grade range.
Get creative
Lots of children love to make art; in fact, if you give a kid a piece of blank paper and a crayon, the chances that he’ll ignore it are slim to none. Most kids have a basic need to create, but unfortunately, arts programs around the country have been cut to almost nothing. Fostering that creative spark is important, so consider finding some online art lessons for your child so that he can find his own style and potential.
Head to the museum
Many museums nowadays have virtual tours online that allow anyone to “walk” through the exhibits and explore them. Look at the Louvre or the National Gallery of Art, or check out the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History for dinosaur lovers. Technology has made it easier than ever to educate ourselves on history and art, so take advantage!
Finding the perfect fun activity for your child when the weather isn’t so nice can be difficult, but giving him a variety to choose from certainly helps, and it will help him stay entertained twice as long. Take his hobbies into consideration and work those into the sites and apps you pick for him to check out, such as sports, science, art, or animals. With a little preparation, you and your child can have a blast this holiday, rain or shine.
Thanks to Jenny for her guest blog and sharing fun and educational online activities for rainy days. She is a homeschooling mum to her 4 children. She has a blog with lots of useful educational ideas. Check out some more ideas on her website Special Home Educator.
If you want to survive these holidays and give your kids fun and engaging ideas that don’t require you to spend a small fortune, leave the house or hours of setting up then download my free holiday ideas survival guide below.
If you would like some more holiday ideas and inspiration then check out my Pinterest board HERE.
What twenty things make you happy? If you can focus on just two of these things each day you will feel more confident, motivated and recharge to give to those around you. Happiness is directly linked to your confidence and ability to love yourself. If you feel confident you will trust your own judgement and ask for help when you need it.
What twenty things make you happy?
Use the following questions to help you come up with your own list of things that make you happy. It is so important to incorporate them into your daily life for your own wellbeing and overall health.
What makes you smile?
When was the last time you laughed?
Do you enjoy reading or writing?
Are you a creative person?
Does singing or music light you up?
What type of movement do you like to do?
Are there new things you love to learn?
Have you got hobbies or interests?
What would you love to do?
Teya is a self-love coach for And So She Thought. She shared with me her tips for encouraging mums to feel more confident and love themselves. She also shared some of the twenty things that make her happy. If you would like to find out more about Teya and read her blog that explores intuition, self-love, mindset, and motherhood then click here.
As a mum, I know you’ve got a million things on your plate right? So, it’s no wonder that when you’ve called out to your kids 35 times to get dressed and ready for school, only to come out and find them still in their pj’s, breakfast half eaten that you snap and end up yelling and screaming. But then you see the look on their faces and you spend the rest of the day feeling guilty for losing it (again).
What if you had a way to quickly calm yourself down when you feel your blood starting to boil BEFORE you snap? What if you could get your kids to do what you’re asking WITHOUT having to turn into a CRAZY screaming mum? Learn how with my 5 quick ways to keep cool when the kids are driving you crazy, without having to yell.
Imagine being able to connect with other mums experiencing the same struggles without leaving the house? Wellness Hour is held once a month. It will help you connect and identify your biggest struggles, feel supported, discover the secrets to better wellness and finally, enjoy time without the distraction of life or kids.Click here to learn more.
Are you ready to love yourself and love your life but you’re wrestling with your inner mean girl? I am sharing 5 simple steps I use to love myself and my life.
We have 50,000 thoughts a day and 80% are negative. Negative thoughts are as natural as breathing. I use to beat myself up for every mistake I made as a mum and criticise myself constantly. My inner mean girl would take over and make me second guess everything I did as a mum. I would never be so disrespectful and speak to my own kids or a friend in the same way as my inner mean girl would talk to me.
Over the past several years I have been using these 5 simple steps to love yourself and your life. These steps felt natural, down-to-earth, and easy. I am now more in control of that inner mean girl, who only occasionally appears from time to time.
Simple steps to love yourself and your life
1. Knowing what was important to me has helped to protect me from the influences of others. The things that are important to me are my family, health and respect. These things have helped me simplify my decision-making, minimize stress and help me love myself and my life. I am constantly reminded of my values because I have written them down in my diary and also saved them on my phone. What are the 3 things that are most important to you?
2. I have used the VIA character surveyand the Gallup strength test to identify my unique strengths. Focusing on my strengths has allowed me to align my career and hobbies. My life is easier and more enjoyable now. What are you good at? What do you enjoy doing?
3. I now take time out from thinking. My mind needs rest and time to wind down. I still find this very difficult because I love to learn new things. Learning fills my cup and replenishes my energy. I have to set goals around this to keep me accountable and I constantly remind myself of the importance of rest. When do you schedule rest to show how much you love yourself?
4. My gratitude practice is to rub a mixture of essential oils and coconut oil on my body after a shower at night. I thank my body for the work it has done for me that day. It is a great way to feel calmer, happier and more connected to yourself. How could you incorporate gratitude for the work your body has done into your day?
5. I use a positive affirmation on my mirror to remind me that I am enough. No need to do or be anything more. When I look in the mirror in the morning I also say something I love about myself. I am reinforcing positive things about myself so I can reprogram my brain to love myself and increase my confidence. What do you love about yourself?
What simple step would you like to start using in your life to love yourself more? I would love to hear which one is your favourite.
Imagine being able to connect with other mums experiencing the same struggles without leaving the house? Wellness Hour is a held once a month. It will help you connect and identify your biggest struggles, feel supported, discover the secrets to better wellness and finally, enjoy time for you without the distraction of life or kids.Click here to learn more.
Essential oils are safe, effective, affordable and easy to use in your home to help calm the chaos. They are made up of pure extracts from plants. The scents from essential oils produce different effects on the nervous system. They stimulate the body’s immune response and have various healing properties.
Essential oils can be diluted in fractionated coconut oil and used in a roller bottle to apply to your chest, back of your neck, wrists or feet for really quick results. A diffuser is a great way to inhale essential oils and can really calm the chaos in your home.
Essential Oils for every home
Peppermint
calms the stomach and head tension
increases alertness and focus
cools the body
Lavender
soothes irritated skin
calms stings and bites
soothes emotions
supports sleep and breathing
Frankincense
good for nourishing the blood and the brain
good for aches and pains
supports immunity
Lemon
neutralises odour
antioxidant and detoxifier
elevates mood
Tea tree
nourish the skin and scalp
good for skin and mouth
great for feet
nourishes sores and rashes
Sarah is a kinesiologist for Free Me Kinesiologist she shared her tips for using essential oils to calm the chaos in your home. Her tips are really practical and simple to use.
Sarah Tynan, a kinesiologist for Free Me Kinesiologist has an undeniable love of alternative and preventative medicine such as essential oils. She is passionate about empowering herself with knowledge and sharing with others. If you would like to find out more about Sarah and her work check out her website.
As a mum, I know you’ve got a million things on your plate right? So, it’s no wonder that when you’ve called out to your kids 35 times to get dressed and ready for school, only to come out and find them still in their pj’s, breakfast half eaten that you snap and end up yelling and screaming. But then you see the look on their faces and you spend the rest of the day feeling guilty for losing it (again).
What if you had a way to quickly calm yourself down when you feel your blood starting to boil BEFORE you snap? What if you could get your kids to do what you’re asking WITHOUT having to turn into a CRAZY screaming mum? Learn how with my 5 quick ways to keep cool when the kids are driving you crazy, without having to yell.
Imagine being able to connect with other mums experiencing the same struggles without leaving the house? Wellness Hour is a held once a month. It will help you connect and identify your biggest struggles, feel supported, discover the secrets to better wellness and finally, enjoy time for you without the distraction of life or kids.Click here to learn more.
Mums are constantly putting their needs after everyone else’s because they feel guilty. This is the number 1 reason I hear from mums every day as a wellness coach. It is understandable why some many mums find it challenging to put themselves first and make time for self-care. Guilt is not a nice feeling. To deal with guilt we avoid things that cause it. No wonder so many mums struggle to incorporate self-care.
Why mums need self-care
You will feel calmer and more energized. When you are feeling overwhelmed with a to-do list as long as their arm your body goes into fight or flight mode which affects your health. You can’t think straight, your immune system shuts down, and your digestive system stops absorbing the nutrients it needs. If you can incorporate movement into your day you will decrease the feeling of stress and have more energy.
Your mood flows onto the whole family. Mums are the centre of most families if you are feeling happy then everyone around you will also. Happiness is contagious.
A happier, less stressed mum is more fun to be around. You really can’t be present with your kids or enjoy time with them if you are rushing and juggling too many things.
You are able to give again to those around you. Mums are constantly giving their time, energy, and patience. You can’t sustain the act of constantly giving. Eventually, that feeling of frustration and of being overwhelmed can push you to snap!
The number 1 reason mums need self-care is to be a great role model. When kids see you prioritizing yourself they will start to do the same. If we are always giving we are telling our kids that to love someone you need to sacrifice yourself and your wellbeing.
The number 1 reason WHY mums DON'T take time out for themselves. These are 5 BENEFITS you might be surprised to hear. Use an emoji to show how full your cup is?
As a wellness coach and a mum to two kids, I know the importance of putting yourself first. I work with mums all the time that feel overwhelmed by having so much on their plate. I help them deal with the challenges and still be the best version of themselves. I have designed the Mums’ Revive Retreat so that you can start to put yourself first. Clickhere to find out more.
I know you’ve got a million things on your plate right? So, it’s no wonder that when you’ve called out to your kids 35 times to get dressed and ready for school, only to come out and find them still in their pj’s, breakfast half eaten that you snap and end up yelling and screaming. But then you see the look on their faces and you spend the rest of the day feeling guilty for losing it (again).
What if you had a way to quickly calm yourself down when you feel your blood starting to boil BEFORE you snap? What if you could get your kids to do what you’re asking WITHOUT having to turn into a CRAZY screaming mum? Learn how with my 5 quick ways to keep cool when the kids are driving you crazy, without having to yell.
My kids are growing up in the era of the ‘super busy’ family. I remember thirty years ago when life was more relaxed and carefree. I don’t remember my parents ever using the word ‘busy’ to describe our lives. ‘Busy’ is the new epidemic of the modern family. Just ask any mum how she is and the first word she will use to describe her life is ‘busy’.
The secret to getting things done is planning and organisation. Having a system in place to follow helps to eliminate feeling overwhelmed and puts you back in the driving seat of your life. You will decrease brain clutter, start to prioritise what is important, feel calmer and improve your overall health.
Secrets of organisation
Allocate a small amount of time to organise your week. Make sure you have no distractions like phones. Have your to-do list with everything you need to do on it. Remember, it is a living document that you will ‘never’ complete. Now go through your list and apply one of the four actions:
Do It- If it takes less than two minutes, do it now. You could schedule it for later, but it might take you a minute just to do that. Save yourself the hassle and do it now.
Defer It- if it takes more than two minutes, and you’re the right person for the job, defer it. Put it on a list of things to do later or when you have more time. It is important to write it down so it is out of your head. Your brain doesn’t need to be continually trying to remember it.
Delegate It- Who could be better suited to that job? Could you ask for help? Could you outsource and get someone else who would enjoy doing that much more than you would? Let’s play to our strengths and think collaboratively. For example:
Hire a cleaning when you have a really hectic week or get the family to do some extra jobs around the house.
Buy precook meals from healthy wholefoods business for a couple of nights of the week to take the stress out meal preparation.
Share school drop-offs and/or pick-ups or after school activities with other families.
This is one of my favourites, to barter babysitting with a group of close friends.
Delete It- Ask yourself do I need to do it? Is it important?If your answer is no then delete it and give your brain the space to focus on the important stuff. I suggest you write down you’re top five most important things. It will help you decide whether you will make time for it or delete it.
Jo creator of Life Sorted app shared with me her secrets of organisation for super busy families.
Jo created the app Life Sorted a single app that keeps everything in one place (diary, birthdays, ‘to-dos’, shopping) that everyone in the family can access, update and use on the go. If you would like to find out more about Jo and the app Life Sorted check out her website.
If you want to plan your entire week in just a few minutes each Sunday so that you can actually stay on top of things and not feel like you’re always frantically trying to keep up then grab the simple one-page plannerthat I use. You will be able to get rid of clutter and feel more organised so that you can start your week off on the right foot.
Do you want to organise and declutter your kitchen with ease? It so hard to move forward and get clarity on things like eating more nutritious meals when you are surrounded by physical clutter. You feel overwhelmed because your brain is overloaded and you struggle to make changes. I hear lots of reasons why people can’t move forward and declutter.
Reasons for not decluttering:
it is sentimental
they have young kids
too overwhelming to know where to start
too busy
Do these sound like reasons that have been stopping you?
The reality is though that your life is being affected by clutter. You lose things, you waste time looking for things, you waste money buying things you really don’t need, you buy more storage instead of decluttering, you get distracted easily and you can’t prioritise efficiently. So that healthy eating plan goes out the window.
Who would have thought that clutter is stopping you from starting to eat better?
Claire from Claire K Creations shared with me tips she uses to eliminate the overwhelm when decluttering the kitchen or any space in the home.
Photo credit @ziink_interiors
Claire from Claire K Creations helps busy, overwhelmed mums to simplify, declutter and organise their homes and create personalised systems to follow to make running the household as easy as whipping up a smoothie with a toddler balancing on your hip. If you would like to find out more about Claire and how she keeps her kitchen simple and organised, have a peek at the Kitchen Household Revolution or check out her website.
If you would like to strip back and declutter then join my Facebook group Simply Happy Mums. There are also lots of shared quick recipes, interviews and tips that help mums prioritise their wellness.
Imagine being able to connect with other mums experiencing the same struggles without leaving the house? Wellness Hour online will help you connect and identify your biggest struggles, feel supported, discover the secrets to better wellness and finally, enjoy time for you without the distraction of life or kids.Click here to learn more.
Are you the family Uber driver and PA to everyone in your house? Juggling more balls than a clown. Running from one thing to the next, your job, taking kids to sport, and not to mention maintaining a house and getting dinner on the table. No wonder you are craving some time out yourself. I wonder though…is there any time left for YOU in the juggle? How do you manage to find your bliss with so much on your plate?
Even if there was a little time for you, you are probably feeling exhausted at the end of each day and wondering how you could include another thing like ‘me time’. Or is it the guilt of doing something for yourself?
As mums, we are constantly giving our time, energy, or patience. No one can sustain the act of constantly giving. Eventually, that feeling of frustration and of being overwhelmed can push us to snap! We may even start to resent the ones we love the most. That is why we need to prioritise some time out to switch off, to replenish and recharge.
When we invest in ourselves we are calmer, happier, more fulfilled and energised. When we are feeling calmer and happier we able to give again to those around us. Our mood flows onto the rest of the family. A happier, less stressed mum is more fun to be around. It is also great role modelling for children to see us prioritising ourselves and demonstrating self-love.
Ultimate Mums Day Out
The quickest way to put a smile back on your face is to talk to a girlfriend, either in person or over the phone. Scheduling some time with a girlfriend is the ultimate way to find your bliss that will leave you feeling calmer, replenished and recharged.
Once a term I schedule to catch up with three girlfriends. We all leave feeling calmer, happier and more connected. We also provide each other with a safe place to vent without having to provide a solution to each other’s problems.
Last month I scheduled the ultimate Mums day out with my three girlfriends. We spent two hours on a food and cultural walking tour around the South Melbourne market. Isabel from, “The Visitor”, was our knowledgeable, friendly guide. She shared South Melbourne Market’s story and introduced us to market vendors where we sampled and heard about their produce. We finished the tour with a cheese board and wine tastings. It really was the ultimate mums day out that helped me find my bliss.
When was the last time you spent time with a girlfriend?
As a mum, I know you’ve got a million things on your plate right. So, it’s no wonder that when you’ve called out to your kids 35 times to get dressed and ready for school, only to come out and find them still in their pj’s, breakfast half eaten that you snap and end up yelling and screaming. But then you see the look on their faces and you spend the rest of the day feeling guilty for losing it (again).
What if you had a way to quickly calm yourself down when you feel your blood starting to boil BEFORE you snap? What if you could get your kids to do what you’re asking WITHOUT having to turn into a CRAZY screaming mum? Learn how with my 5 quick ways to keep cool when the kids are driving you crazy, without having to yell.
Imagine being able to connect with other mums experiencing the same struggles without leaving the house? Wellness Hour online will help you connect and identify your biggest struggles, feel supported, discover the secrets to better wellness (this months focus is meal planning with ease) and finally, enjoy time for you without the distraction of life or kids. Click here to learn more.
Guest Blog – Daniel is a single parent to my daughter (9) and son (6). He shares resources that have worked for him single parenting on his website Dadsolo.
These days, most parents barely have enough time to keep up with everyday responsibilities. Making time for themselves is so difficult that many simply give up. For single parents, it’s twice as difficult because they’re always on the clock. When your kids need help with homework, you’re their only option. When they have a bad dream, you’re the one they wake up for comfort. When your kids are fighting, there’s only one adult on hand to play referee. You don’t get to hand off a situation to a partner and take a break. Somehow, you need to find ways to take a breather for you and your children’s sake. An evening on the couch watching TV may be unrealistic, but there are opportunities throughout the week to practice self-care.
Quiet time when Single Parenting
Take a few minutes to think through your daily routine and identify some quiet moments you can take advantage of. With a little ingenuity, you can make it work for everyone. After work or on weekends, take your kids to an indoor playground that offers plenty of activities. While they’re having fun in a safe, enclosed space, use the time by reading that book you never have time for. Call a friend you’ve lost touch with, or find out what’s happening on Facebook. Sometimes, a little thought and organization are all you need to preserve your mental health and improve your outlook, even in the midst of a busy day.
If you spend 40 hours or more at work, that means you probably have a few hours of lunch and break time that can be used for some physical or mental exercise, or just for meditating and relaxing. If time allows, head to the mall for some “retail therapy.” Or get some co-workers together for Pilates or a group yoga session. You might be surprised how much good a few hours of restorative activity can do.
Outsource
Some single parents feel guilty about hiring a babysitter so they can go out for a little rest and recreation of their own. There’s no need to feel bad about it – your kids may even enjoy having someone new to have fun with for a while. For a few dollars, you can spend the evening doing something you enjoy. It’s good for you and for your kids. They’ll reap the benefits by having a more relaxed and energetic parent, one who’s engaged and more focused on their needs and interests. If you’re nervous about leaving your children with a stranger, there are services and websites that provide background information and customer reviews of babysitters and nannies in your area.
Dual role
One of the hardest things when single parenting is trying to play a dual role, to be both mother and father. That’s a tall order for anyone when it’s hard enough just being a good mum or dad. Trying to wear both hats only adds stress and strain to a situation that’s burdensome enough for one parent. Instead, focus on being a loving and supportive role model. Demonstrate what it means to be a good person. Be honest with your children and let them see that while you’re their source of security and love, you can also be vulnerable and need their help.
Find support
We all need help now and then. Finding a support network, whether through a formal group or with friends, gives you a chance to share your frustrations and worries with people who care about you in a safe, non-judgmental environment. It’s also important for your kids, who need to rely on you for emotional support rather than being your only source of support when times get tough.
Good choices
Being an effective single parent for your children is about making good choices, both as a parent and as an individual with hopes and dreams of your own. Remember, it’s important not to neglect your needs as you provide support and guidance for your children.
Which tip do you want to try? Let me know in the comments below.
What if you had a way to quickly calm yourself down when you feel your blood starting to boil BEFORE you snap? What if you could get your kids to do what you’re asking WITHOUT having to turn into a CRAZY screaming mum? Learn how with my 5 quick ways to keep cool when the kids are driving you crazy, without having to yell.
Once a term I schedule to catch up with three girlfriends. We all leave feeling calmer, happier and more connected. We also provide each other with a safe place to vent without having to provide a solution to each other’s problems.
Which tip do you want to try? Let me know in the comments below.
