Between getting everyone fed and dressed, packing lunchboxes, remembering PE kits and making it to work on time, it’s easy for parents to put themselves last from the moment each weekday starts. But while there may not be time for a long workout or making a home-cooked lunch, small, consistent habits can make a real difference to how you feel for the rest of the day.
Whether it’s turning the school run into a chance to move a little more or prepping a healthy breakfast the night before, looking after yourself doesn’t have to mean overhauling your routine. Centrum has a few simple ideas that can slot into your day, rather than adding more to your to-do list.
Ready to make your wellbeing a priority? Here are five ways you can support your health without putting extra pressure on yourself.
1. Don’t skip breakfast
When the morning rush takes over, you probably end up focusing on everybody else’s breakfast while you’ve barely had time to finish a cup of tea. Starting the day with a balanced meal can help you fuel your body and keep your energy levels steadier throughout the morning though.
If you’re already making food for the kids, make an extra portion for yourself, too. Yogurt with fruit and nuts, wholegrain toast with peanut butter or scrambled eggs are all quick options that don’t take much effort. If mornings tend to be a whirlwind, prepare overnight oats or a chia seed pudding the night before so breakfast is ready and waiting for you in the fridge.
2. Set yourself up for snack success
Most parents know the feeling: it’s 3pm, you’re hungry and the quickest thing to hand suddenly seems like the best option. Making a few healthier snacks easier to grab can help take the decision-making out of hectic days.
Keep mixed nuts, fruit, oatcakes, yogurt or hummus with chopped vegetables in the fridge, your bag or your desk drawer so they’re always within reach. Spending just a few minutes prepping them in advance means you’ll have something satisfying to keep you going when the afternoon slump strikes.
3. Take a moment to move
Whether it’s at home or in the gym, fitting in a full workout isn’t always realistic when you’re juggling family life. The good news is, it doesn’t have to be all or nothing when it comes to exercise.
Walking the school run when you can, parking a little further away, taking the stairs instead of the lift, or having a kickabout in the garden with children are just some of the ways you can weave movement into your day – and those little bursts of activity soon add up!
4. Go with your gut
Adding supplements to your diet can help support your nutritional intake without feeling like another chore. Centrum Multibiotics Complete combines scientifically researched live cultures with 18 vitamins and minerals in one convenient, easy-to-swallow capsule.
Backed by Centrum’s 40 years of nutritional expertise, each capsule contains up to one billion live cultures from 18 bacteria strains that are proven to reach the gut alive. It’s also gluten-free, GMO-free and can be taken alongside antibiotics.
5. Give yourself permission to rest
A full night’s sleep can feel like a luxury when you’re a parent, especially with little ones who still wake in the night. Rather than aiming for perfection, focus on making the most of the sleep you can get.
Try going to bed 15 minutes earlier, leave the housework until tomorrow or put your phone down before lights out to give yourself the best chance of a good night’s sleep. You won’t always have a smooth night, but small changes can still help you wake up feeling a bit more refreshed.
Find your Centrum
Each multivitamin in Centrum’s range contains a variety of nutrients tailored to diff2erent needs. This includes Centrum Multibiotics Complete, a carefully curated blend of live cultures, vitamins and minerals, including vitamin B12, which can help contribute to normal energy-yielding metabolism and the reduction of tiredness and fatigue, along with Vitamin D for normal immune function.
Shop Centrum Multibiotics Complete at Amazon, Boots or your local supermarket.