Rebecca A. Muminovic, M.D. A cool mom and a great doc.
I once heard someone say that raising children was like being pecked to death by chickens, and although that could be true, at times I really think it is more like basking in the glow of a sunny day, eyes closed and relaxing while the wind gently blows across your face, just before a Mac truck hits you full on only to back up and run over you again and then continue on its way.
Motherhood can bring out the very best in you and the very worst. Some days it may even seem that the person you once were has been lost amongst the chaos of everyday life stress.
Sleep deprivation, car pool, music lessons, soccer practice, homework, colic, trips to the ER (yes I have boys), housework, and let us not forget the duties of a life partner or spouse. Ladies I don’t know about you, but I know that after a long day at work that started with packing lunches for school and watching playhouse Disney at 5:30 am, I am not so in the mood to break out the stripper pole and party all night with my husband when the kids are finally in bed. Let me shout it from the roof top, being a woman, a wife, and a mother in today’s world is hard and your body will pay the price for the constant on slot of stress unless you learn how to do two important things. Take care of yourself first and foremost, and be sure that you see your doctor regularly to ensure your health is on the right tract.
First, ask yourself an important question. Do you know what works for you to relieve stress? This answer may be different for everyone, but the one physiologic way to relieve stress in every person is exercise.
Exercise releases your body’s own natural morphine like substances to make you feel good and there is no way around the fact in that. At first it is often overwhelming to imagine fitting something else into your day, but think outside the box. How can you incorporate more activity into your existing schedule? Walk instead of drive, take the stairs not the elevator, ride bikes with your children, the possibilities are endless. Also remember that children learn what they live.
If they see you exercising, they will exercise. You are giving them a gift when they realize that exercise is an integral component of daily life and they will carry that into their adulthood. A recent study asked college students in a gym what was the reason they exercised…any guesses as to what the number one answer was? Drum roll please….”because my parents do.” I rest my case. So, if your health is not enough reason to exercise, then do it for your children’s… JUST DO IT! In addition, soak in the tub, get together with girlfriends for lunch, garden, laugh, and love. Make time for anything that brings you joy and rejuvenates your spirit!
Ben Franklin said it best, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” It is so true. Please be sure that you are taking time to see you doctor for all of your preventative care. For all of you ladies who are busy childbearing, that does NOT mean that your trip to your OBGYN counts as your yearly checkup. You need to remember that you are more than just your uterus!
Be sure that you see your primary care physician, dentist, and any specialist you have for other health issues. Heart disease is the number one killer of US women today and the damage does not start magically at 50, it starts in our 20’s when we aren’t even thinking about it. Be sure you are making smart lifestyle choices early on.
When you take care of yourself you are teaching your children to do the same. Live, laugh, love, and kick some butt doing it ladies!
If you need ideas on how to get started with an excercise program, check out our friends at American Family Fitness and Mom’s Treehouse for ideas.
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