At the end of last year, Sonia Lloyd from Rasasara showed us some special ways to stay young . We were so inspired by her ideas that we researched even more ways to feel youthful today.

So here’s our Take 2: our own brainstorm for ways to stay fit, healthy and happy. It isn’t all about the food and the exercise. Turns out embracing your wild side and letting go to have a bit of fun can be just as beneficial!

1. Treat Yourself

The main take away from any conversation with a nutritionist, is that cheeseburgers and cheesecakes are okay in moderation. So, stop kicking yourself for scoffing down that cheeseburger yesterday.

Mums are always taking care of everyone else, and they often forget to look after themselves. When mums do treat themselves they are overwhelmed with guilt. STOP THAT!

Be nice to yourself; remember to treat yourself like you would a close friend. You wouldn’t slap a cupcake out of your friend’s hand and call her a fatty, so don’t do it to yourself!

You might not have the same metabolism as you did as a teenager, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the things you used to. By treating yourself occasionally, you are soothing your soul.

If you really want to treat yourself without feeling a pang of guilt, pick up that bottle of Merlot and a block of dark chocolate.

Red wine and dark chocolate have been found to have a positive effect on blood pressure – plus they’re high in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. So why not indulge a little … in moderation, of course!

2. Sleep, Nap, Doze

Sleep is important. You know that, we all know that, and yet parents still aren’t getting enough sleep. We just don’t value sleep as highly as we should.

Your body needs eight hours of sleep every night. I’ll say that again, because the new mums dozed off for a second there and missed it: EIGHT HOURS!

New mothers are likely only to getting four hours or less. Trying to fit in a full night’s sleep when you’re caring for a newborn is next to impossible.

But all mums need to start paying attention to their sleep health. Researchers have found that while you sleep, your body is repairing itself . When you don’t get enough sleep, it can lead to chronic illnesses and weight gain. Ouch!

So, start prioritising sleep: nap while the kids are napping. Get your rest – all other work be damned!

3. Eat the Rainbow

Eating a colourful diet is recommended so highly because it guarantees variety. It’s hard to find the time to measure everything out and calculate calories.

Calorie counting might work for some, but for many people it’s just stressful! Eating healthy is imperative to feeling young and vibrant. But if it adds more pressure to the cooking process, what’s the point?

A variety of fruits and vegetables contains a range of vitamins, minerals, fibre and antioxidants that will not only make you healthier … The rainbow also tastes good too.

Health is important to feeling young, but restrictive diets don’t make you feel young, that’s for sure. From red tomatoes to green capsicums, eating a colourful array of vegetables and fruits is easier and much more enjoyable.

4. Be Mindful, Act Young

Mindfulness is all the rage right now, but this is more than just a passing fad. Mindfulness is a pretty simple concept to grasp; it’s basically the practice of being mindful, conscious and aware of your actions and surroundings.

Harvard Psychologist Ellen Langer has performed some interesting experiments using the principles of mindfulness. To say her findings were interesting is an understatement.

In the 1980s, Langer took eight men in their seventies to a retreat in New Hampshire. They walked in with arthritic limps and canes, showing all the ravages of ageing. But this retreat was special; it took these eight men back in time.

The research team recreated the world of 1959 – that’s fifties clothes and furniture, black and white TVs, and Perry Como on the radio. Then they asked the men not just to reminisce, but to pretend like it was in fact 1959.

Within a few weeks, the group showed amazing improvements both physically and mentally.

Another study convinced housemaids to start looking at their physical labour as exercise and – you guessed it – they began to lose weight!

So, what does this mean for busy parents? Start thinking positively, start thinking youthfully, and start being mindful.

Everything you do in a day can add up to a great work out, so if you’re not seeing the results, start thinking about it differently.

By changing your mind set and living in the moment, you can in fact change how you feel, physically and mentally.

5. Be a Social Butterfly

As we get older, we begin to lose touch with old friends. Sometimes we just don’t make enough time for them, or they don’t make enough time for us. Either way, it can be difficult to deal with.

When you’re a kid, you have all the time in the world to spend with friends. But between work and taking care of the kids, it’s hard to find time to be sociable as you enter your mid-life … situation!

To stay young, we need to take time out from looking after the kids to spend time with adults. Spending all your time with little ones can start to drive you batty, so start building your own social network.

Socialising is important for your mental and even for your physical health. Join parent groups, catch up with friends for brunch, throw movie nights … Whatever makes you most relaxed and happy.

This goes for relationships as well. Go on date nights and spend quality time with your partner. Even if you have to schedule it, it’s better than nothing!

Do you have any ideas of your own to wash away your age for the day and feel energised again? We’d love to hear your own techniques in the Comments section below. Meanwhile, be sure to read plenty more advice – and a good dose of fun stories! – on the Bobux blog today.