Oldie but Goody Newsletter – From the days my girls were in school.
When school resumes each fall, the women in my neighborhood are split into two distinct camps. The first camp is composed of women who have been known to throw a Margarita party (mind you at 8:00 am). These women celebrate the days when everyone is out of their house early in the morning. The school year schedule actually gives them more time for themselves. The second camp is
composed of women who prefer the lazy days of summer. They get together and mourn the start of school with its rushed mornings, not followed by a sense of relief, but followed by a rushed day at work then home to a rush of activities, homework, squeezing in meals and chores and strict bedtimes laced with the frequent surprise need to bake something for a class or to execute some themed project for a class at a moments notice. This tight schedule allows very little “me” time. Since I have been a lifetime member of the mothers who mourn September, I am writing this article for the second group who like me wonder how will they find
time to eat healthy, exercise and maintain their sanity during the school year. I not only have years of experience trying to pull off this feat, but I also over the years have learned tips from my patients.
TIP #1
Time for you will never just magically appear on the schedule, you have to put it there Hey, go to that Margarita party even if you are a member of the mothers who mourn September. When the bleakness of a 9 month school year looms ahead of you, schedule some fun. Set a goal of maintaining fun in your life and put it on your calendar.
TIP #2
If you start the week unorganized, you will end the week unorganized. Plan ahead for your week since once it starts, there is no looking back. I set aside time on Sunday to make my plans, shop, cook ahead, etc.
TIP #3
It’s easier to eat healthy when your family is not involved. Breakfast and lunch are the two meals you can orchestrate easily for yourself.
When toddlers and picky teenagers and husbands who want man-sized meals are included, it’s harder to eat the healthy diet befitting a midlife woman. So make sure that your breakfast and your lunch are tailored to your needs. I make up quinoa for breakfast and I buy the prewashed salad greens, chicken breasts, nuts and cranberries and keep them at work for a healthy lunch. Do your best to eat healthy at all meals, but in my experience, I hedge my bets with a healthy breakfast and lunch since at dinner when the family is included, I find my careful planning is often obstructed.
TIP #4
Pack a bag. How many hours have you spent camped out on bleachers not just watching a sport or activity, but sometimes waiting hours for it to even begin? I learned years ago, when my daughters took dance and you were not even allowed to see into the dance room for the 1-2 hours they spent in class, to pack a bag. In this bag I put tennis shoes and I would walk the neighborhood or if it was at the school I would walk the schools track. I also put health reading, menus to plan, etc. in this bag so that I could organize for my good health. Don’t just sit there waiting, do something for yourself.
TIP #5
Seek out “me time” in creative ways. My favorite is to use time in my car as quiet time. No news, no cell phone, just a good tea and good music or I would turn the music off and actually see the world and scenery around me. It’s a great way to destress on the way to work and home from work.
TIP #6
Schedule time away from home. When a woman enters her house, she is in charge. Even if she is sick or tired, the family will gravitate toward her. So when you find yourself needing to get things done like exercise or socializing, schedule these activities away from the house.
TIP #7
For your health- say no. The woman with 4 children who works and who is president of the PTA in my experience is not a healthy, happy woman. Set boundaries starting with your essential activities then schedule the activities you need to maintain your health then see if you have time to volunteer yourself for extra activities. Don’t’ put yourself last or you will end up last.
TIP #8
Stay away from negative chatter Mental health definitely affects physical health. Gravitate toward women who are positive and upbeat and shy away from those who want to only complain. Despite your hectic schedule, take time at the end of the day to
jot a few things in a gratitude journal. A positive attitude can go a long way in helping you navigate a hectic schedule.
