Simple Health Wellness Tips for Busy Black Moms - Health
Health and wellness are important, however, it can be an ever-growing challenge when you are a busy mom. For some, getting caught in the day-to-day hassle of being a busy mom – means making sure everyone else is okay while neglecting your own health.
Time is of the essence and most moms will agree that they don’t have enough of it. Fortunately, for those moms that are struggling to fit everything into a 24-hour day, we have some tips to help make the process much easier so that your health doesn’t have to take the back burner. CLICK HERE
The importance of health and wellness
In the United States, Black women represent 13.6% of the female population and 7% of the U.S. population. Despite this, they have shorter life expectancies and higher rates of maternal mortality. Black women are also disproportionally affected by chronic conditions such as anemia, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and obesity, according to the Centers for Disease Control.¹
The startling statistics don’t just stop there.
Black women also have a higher prevalence of stroke, cancers, diabetes, and stress, despite being younger than the overall average for U.S. women (36.1).²
This makes it especially important for Black women to prioritize their health.
How to prioritize your health and wellness as a busy mom 1. Enlist the help of others
Trying to take everything on by yourself will only leave you feeling burned out. As the old saying goes “it takes a village”. However, that “village” won’t know you need help if you don’t tell them. Write out your goals, schedule things you want to accomplish, etc., and coordinate it with your partner or “village”. Having a coordinated schedule in place will create more time for you to get to an appointment, a gym class, or get some quiet alone time. Being open to others about the struggles of being a busy mom will also relieve some of the tension that comes with trying to hold it all together.
2. Schedule your appointments
You probably have a lot on your plate because you are not only managing your health but the health of your family. Moms are usually the ones scheduling doctors’ appointments, managing prescriptions, and making sure everyone is well taken care of
Scheduling appointments for the whole family can get hectic and some of your important appointments may fall to the wayside if you don’t carefully plan them out. You can combat this by scheduling as many of your appointments as you can far in advance and placing them on your calendar so you don’t forget those important, mammograms, pap smears, blood checks, yearly physicals, etc.
Another way to keep things running smoothly is to schedule a recurring prescription pickup date for you and your family with Walgreens Save-a-Trip refills.
Additionally, The Walgreens app allows you to pick up your Rx through the drive-thru or same-day prescription delivery.
3. Check in with an online pharmacy expert
Sometimes a busy mom’s health may take the back burner because they simply don’t have the time to seek care. One way to help solve this problem is through an online pharmacy expert chat. By chatting with a qualified pharmacy expert, you can receive accurate and relevant health information straight to your mobile device or computer.
Experts are available to help answer your questions about
Health conditions such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, potential allergic reactions, etc.
Prescription medication side effects
Which over-the-counter option is best for your symptoms
Prescription prices
Pharmacy chat makes it simple for you to run questions by a pharmacist (i.e. an upset stomach) and get advice if you are unable to see your family doctor.
4. Set manageable goals
As a busy mom, it’s natural to want the best for your family, but remember to set manageable goals. Pay attention to your mental and physical energy. If you begin to feel overwhelmed, it’s perfectly fine to adjust your goals so that they better align with where you are. It is also okay to say no and set boundaries. Remember saying no is saying yes to prioritizing your mental health.
5. Find an outlet for yourself
Being in mom mode all the time can be taxing on your mental health. Try to think about who you were before you became a mom or who you are now and what you like to do. Once you find what makes you happy (i.e. reading, hiking, swimming, crafting, yoga, etc.), set some time aside weekly to do those things.
6. Try online therapy
While a girls’ night away from the kids can help, an online therapist can be the emotional support you need as well as help you formulate plans, life goals, and coping skills. They are also easily accessible from your home during nap time or at your work office on your lunch break, which is perfect for busy moms. One way to more easily find a qualified therapist or healthcare provider who can help you manage depression, stress, grief, anxiety, and more is through Walgreens Find Care.
Being a mom is no easy job and having the pressures of having to juggle everything at once can be challenging, but it doesn’t have to affect your health and wellness. Remember that in order to take care of your loved ones, you have to put your health first.
