We live in a go-go-go society. From appointments to errands to our kids’ events there is always somewhere to go or something to do.  With the everyday hustle and bustle it’s so easy to lose sight of our own particular needs.  Our bodies can’t run on Starbucks and energy bars alone!  Here are five ways to keep your energy up so you don’t lose pace with society…or your child’s social calendar!

-Get plenty of rest. It’s recommended that adults get an average of 7 to 8 hours of sleep every night.  Your body needs time to regenerate and repair itself. The more rest you get the better you will feel.  Set a realistic bedtime and stick to it even if it means missing that juicy reality TV series!  Besides, that’s what DVR is for!

-Eat well. When I say this, I don’t mean the 4-day old salad from your local fast food chain that’s drenched with three packs of Ranch or Italian dressing! I mean sit down and have a sensible breakfast (which truly is the most important meal of the day), lunch and dinner. Eating three nutritious meals eliminates the desire for snacks.  However, if you snack, opt for fresh fruits or vegetables instead of what’s on the dollar menu.  If you know you’ll be out on the town pack a snack bag.  Not only will it prevent you from choosing something unhealthy, it will keep you energized and save you money.  Can we say more change for the kids’ bank?

-Exercise. Believe it or not, this doesn’t require spending $49-$99 a month on a gym membership.  If you need the push from a personal trainer it’s an investment well spent. However, you can accomplish this in the comfort of your own home. Rent some exercise videos to workout to.  Look for workouts on YouTube.  You can even turn up the radio and just move around!  Whatever gets your heart rate up, your body moving and your energy flowing is what you need to do. Make it a family affair with the kids. You’ll feel better and look better and your kids will love the attention.

-Learn when to say when. Everyone needs us, our bosses, our husbands/significant others, our children, our family, our friends, etc., etc.  This part wasn’t listed in the parenting manual.  If it was, I skipped that chapter!  For most of us our overextended arms are pulled by dozens of people in different directions.  However, there will come a time when we need to use one of the first words we learned as children…no!  We cannot please everybody and as mothers we shouldn’t try to. Overextending ourselves will cause nothing but stress, burn-out and resentment.  Every once in a while put yourself  first. Simply say no.  Your sanity will thank you later!

-Schedule “Me Time”. While we’re on the subject of saying “no”, you also need to say “yes”…to some personal time. The world survived when you weren’t a parent. It will continue to survive if you take a much needed time-out. This is easier said than done.  However, if you plan it right you should have at least 30 minutes to rejuvenate your mind, body and spirit.  Send the kids to bed early, tell your hubby to watch the pre-game, demand your right to some peace and quiet.  For more ideas on relaxation and how to spend your free time read the article, ”When You’re Feeling ‘Overwhelmed.”

By simply following these rules you can go from Frazzled-Mommy to FlyMommy in no time.  You’ve already done the ultimate job; you brought life into this world. Who says you don’t deserve a break every now and then?!!