Category: self-care

fitness, food, foodie, health, healthy, motherhood, motivation, self-care, sickness, workout

Motherhood Diaries (Food, Fitness, And Sick Day Essentials)

caffeinatedcarly

Hello, hello! My writing has been pretty sporadic lately, and my goal for the New Year is to be more consistent. Our little one is almost 10 months old, and keeps us on our toes, let me tell you! She has heaps of personality, and always makes me laugh. I mean, just look at that face. I couldn’t be more blessed.

Moving on to sickness….

There were a couple sick family members around us on Thanksgiving, and my poor baby got a nasty cold. Of course, being her mamma, I got it too. We are both much better now, and I wanted to share what I use when we are sick.

BABY SICKNESS ESSENTIALS:

*Nose Frieda-this item is amazing! Kind of gross, but it allows you to get SO much out of your baby’s nose.

*Breathe Frieda Vapor Drops-these are baby friendly essential oils. I use them in her bath and they smell so good!

*Humidifier-I use this during her naps and bedtime. When her cold is really bothering her, I add her vapor drops.

*Zarbees Chest Rub-it is basically Vick’s for babies. I put it on her feet and chest.

MOM SICKNESS ESSENTIALS:

*Apple Cider Vinegar-The health benefits are endless, and it seems to always get me better quicker!

*Saline Nose Rinse-I use this constantly to help clear out my sinuses.

*Zicam Nasal Swabs-These are a go-to when I have a cold!

*Essential Oils-I use eucalyptus, lavender, and lemon in my diffuser.

*Theraflu Tea-For me, this works better than other medicines when I am sick.

Those are just the things that work for myself and my family! I’m no doctor, just a girl who likes to research and find the best ways to keep her family healthy.

Moving on, this past week in FOOD:

Chickpea Pasta with meat sauce! I am loving this pasta so much. It definitely has a different taste, but I enjoy it a lot.

Jalapeno Chicken Sausage and Mixed Vegetables! I added a little soy sauce and lots of seasonings. It was delicious!

Grilled Cheese and Soup for when my sickness was peaked.

FITNESS THIS WEEK:

I was able to get to the gym twice this week. Once for RINGSIDE, which is a boxing inspired full body workout and a second time for SPINNING.

The rest of the week was workouts at home, including pure barre and the elliptical. The days I was sick I took it easy, just did enough to get my body moving a bit.

That’s about all for this update. We have a fun weekend planned! I will update again soon.

Have a great weekend, friends!

With love,

Carly

health, healthy, self-care

Easy, Affordable Ways to Bring More Self-Care to Your Day (Guest Post)

caffeinatedcarly

Hello, everyone! Today, I have an awesome guest post brought to us by Brad Krause at http://selfcaring.info

Hope you enjoy!

EASY, AFFORDABLE WAYS TO BRING MORE SELF-CARE TO YOUR DAY:

.We all know that self-care is crucial to a healthy, balanced life. Taking care of yourself can boost your mental, emotional, and physical health. According to Good Therapy, people who “adequately meet their needs are often able to better cope with everyday stressors.” In addition to boosting resiliency, self-care also reduces stress, fatigue, depression, and anxiety. 

 

Of course, it can sometimes be tricky squeezing “me” time into your day along with all your other responsibilities. That’s especially true if you’re on a tight budget and can’t afford a massage or a fancy day spa. 

Luckily, caring for yourself doesn’t have to be tedious or expensive. You can prioritize your needs without spending a dime or even leaving your house.

The following self-care tips can help improve your mental health on any budget. 

 

Get Enough Shut-eye

When you think about self-care, what comes to mind? An exotic vacation? A trip to an extravagant day spa? Perhaps even a luxurious yoga retreat? Believe it or not, taking care of yourself starts in the comfort of your own home. One convenient, cost-effective way to start prioritizing your needs is by getting enough sleep. 

 

Sleep keeps your heart, immune system, and mind healthy. According to Very Well Health, it boosts your memory, reduces inflammation, and may even prevent certain cancers. If you’re prone to late-night anxiety, insomnia, or have difficulty falling asleep, there are some things you can do. First, try going to sleep and waking up at the same time each day. Consistency helps regulate your body’s natural circadian rhythm. To help kickstart the process, you could also take natural supplements like CBD oil or melatonin, both of which can help you fall asleep. 

You could also turn your bedroom into a relaxing haven. To help get some shut-eye, paint the walls a soothing shade like green or blue. Next, purchase a few sleep-friendly products like comfortable bedding, memory foam pillows, or even a white noise machine. Look to stores like Macy’s or Bed, Bath & Beyond for great deals on quality linens, and don’t forget to scout around for coupon codes or discounts to help stretch your dollars. 

Physical Activity

Like sleep, fitness is crucial to self-care. In addition to making you feel more self-confident about your body, exercise can improve your mood, reduce stress, and ease anxiety. You don’t have to purchase an expensive gym membership to get more physical activity. Instead, invest in some at-home fitness gear like exercise balls, yoga blocks and straps, and a supportive fitness mat. 

Of course, if you’re the type of person who enjoys working out with other people, then you might benefit from splurging a little on a monthly gym membership. Of course, if you’re a senior who has a Medicare Advantage plan through a company like Humana, you don’t have to worry about this added expense. Many Medicare Advantage plans, Humana’s included, allow seniors to take part in the SilverSneakers program, which provides zero-cost gym benefits at different fitness centers around the United States. This is a good way for older adults to keep in shape and stay socially active, both of which are incredibly important as we get older.

 

Make Time for YOU

Getting some alone time is arguably the least expensive and most essential tip of all. Prioritize your needs by maintaining healthy boundaries. It’s okay to decline additional responsibilities to make more time for yourself. Reducing stress not only keeps you healthier and happier, but it also makes you better equipped to help others. After all, you can’t pour from an empty cup.

Use that extra time to rest and relax, even if only for a few minutes. Diffuse essential oils like lavender, or light incense or sage. Meanwhile, listen to some relaxing music. Purchase a meditative CD or search for playlists on Amazon, Spotify, or YouTube. If you’re stuck in rush hour traffic, satellite radio stations offer peaceful, commercial-free channels like Sirius XM’s Spa channel (channel 68) or Yoga music channel (channel 1092).


Getting enough self-care each day doesn’t have to be hard. Many overlooked practices, like the ones mentioned above, are easy and cost-effective to implement in your daily routine. Simply taking time for a few deep breaths, going for a walk in nature, or stopping to smell the flowers won’t cost you a dime. These daily self-care practices will leave you feeling refreshed and mentally ready to tackle whatever comes your way.