How to Have More Energy When You’re a Busy and Tired Mom
“So, how do I have more energy when more sleep isn’t an option?”, an exhausted mom asked me as I finished up my presentation to a room full of women and about one hundred more on a webinar.
I felt frozen. I didn’t actually quite know how to respond, because the truth was, I was dealing with that exact same issue.
I was a brand new wellness coach at the time and one of my mom friends had connected me with her corporate moms group at her company to come give a talk. I was so excited and so scared at the same time. It was the largest group I had spoken for yet.
At the same time, I also had two small children and sleep wasn’t a regular thing in our house yet (let’s be honest, it’s still not really a regular thing).

Being a Mom is Tiring, Period.
I don’t remember how I responded to her, but I remember feeling complete solidarity for her at that moment. What I wanted to say was, “I’m right there with you, mama. Sleep deprivation sucks.”
Since that moment, it’s a question I get all the time. So, I’ve had more time to ask more questions, research, brainstorm ideas, and do plenty of coaching around how to have more energy as a tired mom.
Creating a Daily Routine for More Energy
When it comes to dealing with less sleep, everyone handles it a little differently, so there’s not a one-size-fits all answer.
I once worked with a client that found an energy boost in her day when she was able to get a 30-minute brisk walk in every morning, no matter what the weather was outside. It helped her wake up and feel more alert to start her day.
On the other hand, I’ve also worked with a mama who was more of a “slow wakeup” style person, and she thrived in waking up 45 minutes early to make a cup of tea and write out things she was grateful for and get her self-care in first thing in the morning before her kids woke up. She noticed that it helped her feel more present and relaxed with her kids in the morning, therefore not completely exhausting herself by the time she got to work from fighting with her toddler.
Find The Energy Boosting Routine That Works For You
Both of these morning routines are drastically different from each other, and what worked for one mama would not have worked for the other. This just speaks to the power of having an experimental mentality when it comes to finding which energy boosting option works best for you. (of course, a coach is a great person to help you figure out what that might look like for you.)
So, finding your daily routine is incredibly helpful when it comes to boosting your energy, but what about those moments that catch you off guard? Or, the afternoon slump that kicks in after lunch and you still have a ton of things to do for the day?
Quick and Easy Way to Have More Energy When You’re Feeling Tired
In those cases, there are a few proven energy boosting hacks that might work for you. Some of these tips can even be worked into a morning routine if you think they would work well for you. Try them out for yourself and track how you feel before and after each activity. You might just give the trick that will help you get through those moments when you need energy most:
5 Energy Boosting Hacks for Tired Moms
1. Girl, Wash Your Face
Alright, you don’t have to read the book or become a Rachel Hollis fan to have more energy (although she does talk about this topic as well). If you need a quick wake up call, washing your face with cool water can definitely do the trick.
Try splashing some cool water on your face and taking a few deep breaths while you’re at it to see if it gives you the energy boost you need.
2. Get moving
Any length of moving can help to get your blood pumping a little bit and give you more energy, so choose the option you like most. Maybe it’s a dance party with the music turned up, maybe it’s a plank contest with your colleague, or maybe it’s an after lunch walk outside. Any of these options work great to turn your energy dial-up.
3. Drink Up
Our body doesn’t function at its best when it’s dehydrated. Not getting enough liquids in your system can cause all sorts of side effects, and a common one is low energy. Try drinking water regularly throughout the day, and if you need a quick wake up call, grab a glass of ice cold water and drink it down.
4. Eat a (small) energy-boosting snack
Grabbing a quick snack like a banana or an apple and pairing it up with a few nuts or some almond butter is a great way to get a quick boost of energy. You can find more ideas for energy boosting foods here.
5. Laugh out Loud (LOL)
Have you ever noticed when you have a really good conversation it can feel totally energizing? Know who those people are in your life that you can have a quick chat with and they will make you feel completely energized. Try actually giving them a call (Who does that anymore?!), get a good belly laugh in, and then be on with your day, with more energy and probably a smile to boot.
Wellness Coaching for Tired Moms
Like I mentioned above, different tricks work better for some than they do for others, so don’t get discouraged if some of these don’t give you the energy boost you need. Keeping an experimental mentality around this is key until you find the trick that works best for you. Once you find what works for you, remember to go back and try it again the next time you’re feeling low on energy and see if it works again.
And, if you’re just feeling like you don’t know what would work best for you, or you think you might need to work on creating a healthier routine in your life for more energy, let’s chat. I’d love to listen to what’s going on in your life and see if I can offer some insight to help you live that healthy, happy and fulfilled mama-life you’re looking for!
Energy Boosting Summary:
Having consistent energy as a mom can be tough, let’s face it. Sometimes, the best we can do it give ourselves a little grace and know we’re doing the best we can do in that moment. However, if you need a little boost of energy to get your through the afternoon slump or the morning sleepies, here are a few hacks that might work well for you:
Way to get more energy in less than 5 minutes (For Moms who Need a Boost)
- Wash your face with cool water
- Move your body
- Drink a glass of cold water
- Eat a small energy filled snack (see above for ideas!)
- Have an energizing conversation with a friend and laugh!
At the end of the day, just know you’re doing an awesome job, mama. Whether you’re running a business, working a job, keeping those kiddos happy all day, or any of those things in between, being a mom is a tough job, so give yourself some credit today and know that being tired if also a sign that you are doing your best and you care. <3
And, I’m sure there are a few of you out there that have the perfect tip for when you’re feeling a little low on energy, so please share with your mama friends in the comments!
About the Author - Jen Wright
Jen Wright, Wellness and Success Coach
Jen Wright is a Mayo Clinic trained Wellness Coach, Certified Cycle Instructor, mom, and wife living in Minneapolis, MN. With over 10 years of experience in Marketing, Project Management and Leadership for corporations, Jen became passionate about helping others through their health and wellness journey after overcoming her own health challenges. Jen has since helped hundreds of others create healthier, happier and more fulfilled lives through her caring and strengths-driven approach to coaching.
For more wellness and success tips, follow The Driven Mama on Instagram: @TheDrivenMama