Move More, Stress Less: Simple Ways to Add Movement Into Mom Life

Before I had my two littles, Max and Zoey, finding time to exercise was easy. Now? The struggle is real. Between laundry, dishes, snack requests and cleaning up endless messes, working out often takes a back seat. As moms, we naturally put our kids’ needs first – but what if we shifted our perspective? What if, instead of aiming for perfection, we simply prioritized movement in a way that fits our season of life? When we make time for fitness, we’re not just taking care of ourselves, we’re showing our kids that movement matters.

Why I Prioritize Movement

If you’re wondering whether it’s worth squeezing exercise into your already packed mom life, here’s why I make it a priority. Movement boosts my energy and helps fight off the fatigue that creeps in throughout the day. Let’s be real – motherhood is a full-contact sport! Strengthening your core and pelvic floor can ease back pain from constantly lifting and carrying little ones. Daily movement also builds the strength we need for everyday modern mom life, like hauling groceries, chasing toddlers and everything in between. Plus, it helps regulate mood and increase patience (because we all need bit more of that)! But my number one reason? Mental health. Moving my body makes me a better, happier mom.

I’ll be honest – working in a gym Monday through Friday makes it easier for me to prioritize exercise. It’s built into my environment, which isn’t the case for every mom. But on the weekends, when I’m home, I face the same struggle so many moms do: finding the time and motivation to move. It’s a constant battle to prioritize my own fitness amid the chaos of family life, but I’ve learned that even small efforts make a big difference.

Here are my top tips to get movement into your life.

1. Let Go Of The “All-or-Nothing” Mindset

Before kids, I had time for the perfect workout – warm-up, supersets, conditioning and cooldown. Now, I focus on getting it done rather than making it perfect. Fitness can happen in small chunks, like 5 or 10 minutes, and that’s okay! Five minutes of jumping jacks and squats is always better than zero. Think of them as “movement snacks” to fuel your day.

Often, my workouts at home are stop-and-start as I tend to my kids’ needs. It’s far from perfect and sometimes stretches much longer than I planned. But in the end, I still moved my body, and that sense of accomplishment is what matters most. Learning to embrace the imperfect workout is a game-changer.

2. Get Your Kids Involved

It’s so valuable for them to see us prioritizing exercise for reasons beyond aesthetics. Take them for walks or bike rides, or instead of sitting and watching at the park, get involved in their play – climb, chase, swing! Dancing together is another fun (and often hilarious) way to stay active as a family.

3. Don’t be Afraid to Use Screen Time

Let’s be real – sometimes, you just need to get it done. I’m not above using screen time to fit in a workout. One snow day, I knew my mental health desperately needed movement, so I set up Max and Zoey with their iPads, handed them Ring Pops, and rolled out my yoga mat for a 30-minute workout. By the end, I was sweaty and happy, and my kids had bright blue mouths –everyone was satisfied!

I truly believe movement makes us better parents. When our kids see us exercising, we set a powerful example of prioritizing health. Plus, our moods improve, our patience stretches a little further, and we feel stronger – both physically and mentally. You don’t need fancy equipment or a perfect routine. Bodyweight movements get the job done, and even five minutes is always better than nothing.

Keep it simple, mom – you’ve got this!