Healthy habits for busy women
How to Make Wellness Fit Your Life
Real-life strategies for women juggling family, work, and everything in between.
Let’s be real...between work deadlines, school pickups, family dinners, and the ever-growing to-do list, your wellbeing can feel like just one more thing to juggle or as one client called it, 'another thing on my to-do list'. Maybe you’ve told yourself, “I’ll start when things settle down.” But let me ask you...when was the last time that actually happened?
If you’re nodding along, you’re not alone. And you’re definitely not failing. You’re just living a very full life and that means your wellness habits need to be realistic, flexible, and designed to fit your life, not compete with it.
Here’s the good news: you don’t have to overhaul your life to feel better. In fact, the biggest changes often come from the smallest shifts - ones that feel doable even on your busiest days.
1. Start with What’s Doable, Not What’s Perfect
We often aim for the “ideal” routine...90-minute workouts, homemade meals, early bedtimes. But life rarely lines up that neatly. Instead, ask yourself:
What’s one thing I can do today that supports my wellbeing?
That could be adding a handful of spinach to your smoothie, walking during a phone call, or shutting your laptop 5 minutes earlier to breathe.
Small wins count. And they compound.
2. Rethink Self-Care - It’s Not a Luxury, It’s a Necessity
Many women I work with feel guilty for taking time for themselves. But here’s the truth: when you’re depleted, everyone around you gets the leftovers.
Self-care isn’t selfish, it’s what allows you to show up as your best self at work, at home, and in your relationships.
Whether it’s 5 minutes of journaling, a walk in silence, or saying no to something that drains you, it matters.
3. Fuel Your Body Without the Pressure to Be “Perfect”
You don’t need to follow a strict diet to feel better. Focus on adding in simple, nourishing habits:
- Don’t skip breakfast (even something as simple as protein shake or eggs on toast sets the tone for your day)
- Stay hydrated. Carry a drink bottle and aim for 2 litres a day
- Reduce the guesswork. prep a few go-to meals and snacks so you’re not stuck choosing between drive-thru, Uber Eats or skipping meals.
Remember: food is fuel. Just like your car needs petrol to run smoothly, your body needs nourishment to function at its best. You wouldn’t berate your car for needing a top-up, you’d just fill the tank and keep going. It’s the same with you. Eating isn’t about being “good” or “bad”, it’s about giving your body what it needs so you have the energy, focus, and resilience to show up for the things and people you care about. Let’s ditch the guilt and start seeing food as a form of self-respect, not self-judgment.
4. Work With Your Schedule, Not Against It
If your days are full, trying to squeeze in hour-long gym sessions may only leave you more stressed. Try these instead:
- 10-minute stretch or movement break in the morning
- Walks while your kids are at sport
Change that coffee date with a friend to a 'walk and talk' - Short duration home workouts
Remember that what gets scheduled gets done, so schedule in your wellness habits just like you would an important appointment.
5. Stop Waiting for the “Right Time”
Let’s call it out: there is no perfect time. Life will always be busy in some way. But the truth is you can start small, start messy, and still make progress.
If you wait until life is calm to take care of yourself, you might be waiting a long time. Instead, ask: “How can I take care of myself in the middle of the chaos?”
Ready to Take One Small Step?
No matter how full your plate feels right now (figuratively and literally!), remember: small, consistent steps lead to real, lasting change. Your wellbeing doesn’t have to mean overhauling your whole life, it's about creating habits that feel good and fit your reality.
If you’re ready to take that first small step, join my free 5 Day Reset - a simple, supportive kickstart to help you boost your energy, reduce overwhelm, and feel more in control of your life. You don’t have to overhaul your life. Just start with one tiny step.