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7 Easy Things You Can Do Today To Improve Your Health

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This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Chances are high if you’re a mother, you’re not taking good enough care of your health. We’re guilty of putting everyone’s needs above our own, too. But here are some easy ways we can all take small steps to improve our health.

This post is sponsored by Colgate.

7 Easy Things You Can Do Today To Improve Your Health

If you are one of the few mothers who are successfully keeping their health high on their priority lists, we want to hear about it and give you a virtual pat on the back, so please leave a comment. But for the rest of us, we can use a few reminders.

I admit that I struggle every day with trying to get enough exercise and keep my sleep on a regular schedule. As a single mother trying to juggle everything, it feels almost impossible to get the sleep and exercise I know I need. So when the folks at Colgate asked me to share some tips for National Women’s Health Week, I decided this was a great time to remind other women like myself how we can make small changes to improve our health.

We all know sleep and exercise are crucial to our health but working enough of both into our schedules can feel overwhelming and cause us to give up entirely on looking after ourselves.

I’m guilty of the “all or nothing” mentality, are you?

But I want to encourage you to not fall into that trap of feeling hopeless about your health because you’re not making it the gym regularly and you’re not getting 8 hours of sleep every night.

Here are 7 easy things you can start doing today that will improve your health…

  1. Carry a water bottle with you everywhere.

    And when you’re at home, have a tall glass of water near you at all times.

    Drinking tons of water is one thing I do really well. It won’t solve all your problems, but it is an easy way to improve your health.

  2. Meditate.

    I used to be intimidated by the concept of “meditating”. But there are simple ways to clear your mind with different meditation techniques.

    I struggle with anxiety and about a year ago, I actually took a few lessons from a specialist who taught me a basic but powerful technique. Even though I don’t take as much time as I should to sit and meditate for 20 minutes at a time, I use the process to relax and clear my mind at various times such as while I’m snuggling with my girls at bedtime.

  3. Breathe in the scent of a lemon.

    LemonsOur sense of smell is powerful. You can use essential oils and aromatherapy to help you relax and improve your mood, but if you don’t have any handy, simply cut open a lemon and breathe in the aroma.

    My daughter who struggles with ADHD and anxiety absolutely LOVES lemons. At homework time, a glass of water with some lemon juice helps her enormously.

    It amazes me how even smelling a freshly cut lemon helps improve her mood.

  4. Keep a container of washed, cut-up veggies ready to eat in your fridge.

    My youngest daughter prefers to eat her veggies raw, so I often have a bag of leftover carrots, cucumbers and broccoli in the fridge.

    It’s shocking how much easier it is to eat a few extra vegetables during the day when they are already washed and staring at you when you open the fridge.

    If you need a little dip to improve the taste, go ahead… it’s better than grabbing a cookie.

  5. Add Epsom Salts to your bath.

    Adding epsom salts to a bath is an easy and relaxing way to treat yourself and improve your health at the same time. The magnesium absorbs through your skin and helps your muscles relax. There are numerous health benefits and it’s simple and affordable.

    Epsom Salts Bath

    While I generally choose to shower for efficiency, I recently started a new habit of once a week soaking in a bath with epsom salts.

  6. Stretch.

    Stretch your muscles — they need it. A few times throughout the day, take a few minutes to stretch. If you can put on a yoga video to follow, that’s even better. My favorite way to stretch my back is using a Chirp Wheel. But at the least, get down on the floor and do some basic stretches.

    I find that it’s easy to do a little stretching while I’m down on the ground playing lego with my kids or watching TV together. And it’s a good way to let your kids see you taking care of yourself.

  7. Keep your teeth and gums clean.

    Obviously you brush your teeth regularly — you’re an adult. But did you realize how important oral health is to your overall health?

    The first time I learned about the correlation between oral health and heart health was when I took my dog to the vet. His poor oral health was literally affecting his heart. I was shocked.

    I’ve always brushed and flossed regularly, but I still struggle with poor gums. In fact, about 15 years ago I had to have surgery on my gums to remove a patch from the roof of my mouth and transplant it on to the gums below my lower front teeth. It was literally the worst experience of my life. And I’m at risk of having to have the surgery again!

    So I can honestly say how thrilled I am to have received a sample of Colgate Total’s New Gum Health Mouthwash which can provide advanced gum protection for 45% stronger, healthier gums. I will definitely continue buying and using it to try to strengthen my gums.

    Even a small change like switching to a Colgate Total regimen can help improve your oral health. Remember… a healthy mouth is key to a healthy body.

 

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7 Easy Things You Can Do Today To Improve Your Health

 

Photo Credits: Dollar Photo Club
Disclosure: Thanks to Colgate-Palmolive for providing me with products samples and sponsoring this post.
The information in this post is not to be considered medical advice.
Written by Susan Carraretto, co-founder of 5 Minutes for Mom
Talk with me: @5minutesformom and Facebook.com/5minutesformom
Pin with me at pinterest.com/5minutesformom

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We love using menthol crystals to make a homemade menthol rub. It’s a lovely way to relax and take care of yourself.

Menthol Crystals

 

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181 Comments

  2. I am going to start drinking more water a day and use my Waterpik more often when I brush my teeth.

    Reply

  7. The lemon, I will start buying whole lemons and lemon juice and drink a warm cup of lemon juice at night.

    Reply

  12. You just reminded me – I have heard about drinking water with lemon, so I’m going to start doing that every morning – I think it’s supposed to be warm water!?!?

    Reply

  14. I am going to eat healthier. We added 3 more beds to our vegetable garden. Being I prefer foods that I grow, I should have plenty of greens and tomatoes to eat.

    Reply

  15. Wow, I love blogs I stumbled on this one because of the give away ( not going to lie) but now I’m a follower. WhaT great pure do good blogging you rock!

    Reply

  16. I am going to be more active – more hiking and kayaking – things I enjoy so it isn’t something I dread.

    Reply

  17. I definitely need to drink more water. I need to start carrying a water bottle with me everywhere I go.

    Reply

  22. I am going to be more diligent to floss at least daily. Plus I have started logging my food daily to be more aware of what I am eating.

    Reply

  25. I’m going to get back to walking more…I lost 80 lbs that way and need to lose the rest!

    Reply

  36. I’m going to start drinking more water. That is the one thing I always have such a hard time with. I’m really going to try this time!

    Reply

  37. I need to remember to start taking time to relax and breathe, meditate. I over look it most of my life and I am just running around in shambles and never fully calm or relaxed.

    Reply

  49. I am going to try to learn how to meditate I have heard that it is great for your well being

    Reply

  54. I’d like to focus more on me. I.e. destressing myself through meditation, regular exercise. My goal is to set strict time and space for that during the busy day. I’d also like to take the time out to cook and actively engage in healthy and eco friendly eating.

    Reply

  62. My seven children are grown now and I have 10 grandchildren. Over the years raising them I took very little time for myself. Now that they are grown and out on their own, I have been working on my Bachelor’s degree in accounting and only have 6 more classes to go. I enjoy taking time for myself which still takes some getting used to, without feeling guilty, but it is getting easier over time. Good luck to everyone.

    Reply

  65. I’m practicing yoga and drinking more water to improve my health. I’ve also cut back on processed foods.

    Reply

  71. Where do I even start. I guess my first plan is to get more exercise. I get so busy, and my priorities never seem to be anyone else’s. But that is going to change. I am on it.

    Reply

  88. I have got to get active for even just 10 minutes a day, a fast walk, something. My sedentary life is killing me, literally and figuratively.

    Reply

  91. I’m spending more money on my walking shoes. There IS a difference, and good shoes help me walk longer and farther.

    Reply

  102. awesome giveaway…Im going to drink more water! Although I work outside in south texas and drink lots of water, Now im going to drink even more!

    Reply

  104. i am committing to getting outdoors and excercising with my boys every day after school

    Reply

  107. i always feel better when fully hydrated. I’m getting a new water bottle for the summer and taking it everywhere.

    Reply

  108. I work out every day using PiYo! Angela Stephens is my fitness coach. utotallyamazing dot com. i’m always energized and ready to take on the world 🙂
    #utotallyamazing
    #angelastephens
    @angelastephens

    Reply

  109. I am drinking more water and earring more veggies! Of course better oral hygiene. Hd a root canal and crown in past 30 days… I could have prevented it1

    Reply

  111. I am going to drink more water and walk more for my health. Thank you for this chance to win this awesome giveaway! connie danielson

    Reply

  116. One thing to improve my health is to spend more time outdoors, and less time in front of the television snacking on foods! LOL.

    Reply

  117. I’ve cut way back on sugar in my diet and am doing well with having lots of fresh veggies to eat.

    Reply

  118. I have quit caffeine, and only drink pop a couple days a week instead of 1-2 cans a day. I’ve been drinking more water and eating less.

    Reply

  122. I started Weight Watchers & have lost 50+ pounds. I just got a fit bit today to help with my fitness goals!

    Reply

  128. I’m willing to start immediately adding epsom salts to a bath! That will be a good place to meditate and calm down from the day.

    Reply

  129. I am moving more and sitting less. I have become more aware of this and try to park farther away, get up and out to walk and hike more often and encourage the family to join me.

    Reply

  131. I started to use a water drinking tracking app to help me get enough water. It reminds you to drink and you an enter what you have had throughout the day. You can also see your history up to 45 days.

    Reply

  132. I’m trying to do better on most of the suggested changes, but I’m especially working on eating better.

    Reply

  138. I’ve been trying real hard to cut a lot of sugar out of my diet. I love sweets but they are not helping. I’m also trying to cut down on caffeine. It’s been pretty good.

    Reply

  150. Carry a water bottle! I’ve been trying to drink 64 oz of water a day and it’s not easy.

    Reply

  151. I’ve been going on the treadmill 4 days a week for 40 minutes for the past several months!

    Reply

  160. I am always working on improving my health. I run 6 days a week and try to make healthy food choices, but I definitely NEED to drink more water!

    Reply

  164. I am feeding my family and I clean foods…no more processed or artificial foods. It’s more work on me but we find that food tastes better and we all have more energy and feel better overall!

    Reply

  171. I have changed my eating habits along with a minimum of 30 minutes of physical activity daily.

    Reply

  172. Reduce my intake of soft drinks, juices, and sports drinks that are full of sugar, and opt for water, milk and healthier options instead.

    Reply

  174. Great piece. I definitely want to try the mouth wash. I’m trying to load up on fruits and veggies in our meals. It’s not always a spot on effort, but one can only try. Good luck with your surgery.

    Reply

  176. I like the idea of keeping a container of washed, cut-up veggies ready to eat in your fridge to avoid snacking on junk food

    Reply

  177. I’m always carrying a bottle of water with me…Especially living here in Arizona. It is so important!

    Reply