Life

5 Daily Habits That Can Help Busy Moms Look & Feel Their Best

They’re all *way* easier than you’re expecting.

by Rebecca Hastings

Tell me if I’m alone in this feeling, but every time I look at my calendar, I’m overcome with the sudden desire for more calm in my life. All it takes is one glance at my schedule of meetings and lack of downtime before my brain flips into a fantasy of what it would be like to have a smoother family life, a lower stress level, and more time to do things that help me look and feel better about myself.

And while, sure, a complete overhaul of my day-to-day life would be *chef’s kiss* ideal, it’s also not realistic for me or my family. Those meetings and appointments are important, and I’m not in a season of life that allows me to step away from the structure I’ve carefully created. But what I can do is use my meticulously timed daily calendar in my favor by penciling in a daily habit that can make a difference in my mood.

Below, I’ve come up with five game-changing daily habits that can either save you time and stress, help you look and feel better, or all of the above. Keep reading to check them out, then set that daily recurring meeting in your calendar as a reminder to add your favorite habit to your day. You’ll be glad you did.

Habit #1: Sip This Stress-Relieving Drink Daily

Fun fact: When we feel stress, our body responds by depleting our magnesium levels, which isn’t great news considering magnesium is essential for over 300 cellular processes in your body. To help maintain healthy levels of the mineral, try incorporating Natural Vitality CALM® Raspberry Lemon powder into your daily routine. The magnesium citrate supplement is absorbed three times more easily than commonly sold magnesium oxide, and not to mention this anti-stress drink mix actually tastes refreshing whether you enjoy it hot or cold.

Habit #2: Try This Quick Meal Tip

There will always be days when we’re left with no time or energy to cook a fabulous meal. Plan for them. One of my favorite bloggers has an ethos that, when you boil it down, encourages you to pick a couple of days in your week when you know you’re going to need to grab fast food or serve up a frozen meal. Take a look at your schedule, plan something easy and convenient for your busiest days, and don’t stress about it all week and feel guilty for it. Your future self will thank you!

Habit #3: Simplify Your Skin Care

One of my favorite social media trends of all time is watching actual experts debunk the lies we’ve been fed by non-experts over the years. Case in point: You’re (probably) putting on too much skin care. Dermatologists have been coming out of the woodworks from all corners of the internet to confirm that your skin actually doesn’t need anything more than a good cleanser, an antioxidant, sunscreen, a retinoid, and a moisturizer. What’s more, adding in a rotating cast of all of those trendy serums and toners could potentially be doing more harm than good, since skin care is not one-size-fits-all.

Habit #4: Lean Into Fall’s Easiest Style Trend

Spoiler: It’s sneakers. The dad shoe has been considered on-trend among fashion influencers for a few years now, but the look has officially made its way to the mainstream and everyone from your favorite celeb to your PTA bestie will be elevating their go-to looks with a pair of crisp sneakers this fall. Find a pair you love, then wear them out with your favorite leggings and sweatshirt, or even a printed mini dress. I promise you that the options are limitless.

Habit #5: Set A One-Minute Sleep Practice

It’s no secret that more sleep equals less stress, but clocking your eight hours can feel easier said than done. But it’s not impossible. The key is to create a pre-bedtime ritual that signals to your body that it’s time to go to sleep. A one-minute meditation or prayer, a simple stretch, or repeating a phrase in your head as you lie down could all work — just make sure you stick with your chosen habit for at least a week so your body begins to recognize the habit.