Why Mums Need To Stop Waiting Until They Feel Unwell To Prioritise Their Health

As Mums, we’re often the last person on our own to-do list. We make sure everyone else gets their food first, get to school on time and has everything they need. Even as I write this right now, I’m about to go on holiday and with a list of 100 things to do, I packed for my daughter first, and help her be ready for the trip. But when it comes to our own health, it’s easy to think, I’ll deal with it later.

I did exactly that. I ignored my gut symptoms for longer than I should have because I was busy working, raising two children and trying to keep everything else running. I didn’t think I had the time to look after myself.

Why Do So Many Mums Put Their Health Last

As mums, many of us experience guilt when we take time for ourselves. Whether it’s exercising or simply taking a break, it can feel like we’re taking time away from our families.

Right now, I don’t know any mum that isn’t busy. Whether you work full-time, part-time or stay at home with your children, there’s always something needs doing. If you are not spending time in the kitchen cooking meals, you’re cleaning, catching up on laundry, rushing to after school activities, buying birthday presents or remembering everything they need for school trips. The to-do list never seems to end and before you know it, your health slips to the bottom of the list.

After a long day at work, we get home at its straight to our other job, cooking, cleaning, sorting out/dealing with the kids. We are simply exhausted and just want to rest.

Becoming a mum changes everything. Suddenly, someone else’s needs come before your own. You make sure your children are fed, happy and looked after, before you even think about yourself.

When I was struggling with gut health, I convinced myself that bloating, digestive discomfort and low energy were just things that I had to live with. I was busy and stressed, juggling work and family life and because these changes often happen gradually, we start to accept them as our new normal, instead of questioning why they are happening.

Many mums keep waiting for life to calm down before they focus on their health. We are constantly telling ourselves, we’ll start looking after our health when the children are older, after the school holidays, when work is less busy. But those moments rarely come because in life there is always something we have to do and before you know it, months or even years have passed.

My Wake-Up Call

I have been on quite the journey with my gut health. It started from my early teens with anxiety stomach pains and had always felt I had a more sensitive stomach because of the way my digestive system would react to foods and environmental factors. My brothers are both lactose intolerant too, so maybe it’s in my family.

In my 20’s I started to get bloated and gassy a lot. Then eventually other symptoms started creeping in like low energy and diarrhoea. And as life got busy I just accepted it to be my norm for many years, I’ve actually lost count!

(To find out more about my gut health story check out my blog post Why Is gut Health So Important)

What made me finally do something about it

Getting older, raising two kids and working while you are constantly dealing with bloating,  discomfort and low energy is both physically and mentally exhausting. That was when I knew I just couldn’t continue living like that. My kids were getting the moody, irritable, tired version of me and that, was not the kind of mum I wanted to be. That’s when I knew I had to change. I needed to stop putting my health at the bottom of the list and start making it a priority. Looking after myself wasn’t talking anything away from the family- it was one of the best things I could do for them and me.

I Didn’t Need More Time- I Needed Different Priorities

I know, sometimes it feels like we don’t have enough time in the day and I’m not saying we suddenly have loads of spare time. However, you make the time to cook and clean, you can make time to look after your health. You have to add health to your priority list. To be honest, I noticed that whenever I did have a moment, I would end up on my phone, messaging or doom scrolling! So instead of 30mins on my phone, I do something that would benefit my health.

I didn’t make massive changes. I focused on small changes that altogether made a difference to my gut health.

Small changes, that eventually becomes habits and a part of your life.

Looking After Your Health Isn’t Selfish

I realised that I wasn’t being a better mum by neglecting my health. Instead, I was making my life harder. I was tired, uncomfortable and exhausted, with little energy left to give.

Looking after my health didn’t take anything away from my kids- it gave a them a healthier, happier mum. I had more energy to play with them and more patience during stressful moments.

What changed when you started looking after yourself?

Self-care isn’t always glamorous

Looking after yourself doesn’t have to mean spending lots of money on expensive spa days, weekend getaways or luxury treatments- I mean, don’t get me wrong, they are all great ideas too.

But actually sometimes, it’s simply:

I’ve realised that looking after my health isn’t selfish- it’s necessary. When I feel healthier, I feel stronger and ready for anything- I have more to give! My Kids don’t need a perfect mum who does everything. They need a mum who is healthy enough to enjoy life with them.

Here’s a question to ask yourself…

If your friend told you she was exhausted, constantly bloated and not feeling her best, would you tell her to keep ignoring it? Or would you be encouraging her to look after herself?

So why do we not show ourselves that same kindness?

Thanks for taking the time to read! If you enjoyed this post, head over to my website for more simple habits and budget-friendly tips to help you support your gut health without breaking the bank.

👉Read more at: guthealthonabudget.com