Stressed out? Join the club, most moms are. When you have kids to care for, dinners to make, houses to clean, emails to answer, and work to do, it is hard not to feel stressed. Busy moms tend to feel more stressed than the average person because they do not take time to sit back and relax. They always have another thing to do, and an additional thing to add to their never ending list. So, what are some little things busy moms can do to bust stress? Try the following:
Keep a journal: Journals can be quite therapeutic and can really help you bust stress. You should simply find a quiet place and time, and begin your journey within. There are no rules, and you can write whatever you want. Be honest, and use your journal as a tool for venting frustration. A journal also helps you to process the experiences in your life; for some reason, writing them down puts them in perspective, and helps you figure out how you feel about it. Buy a journal that you’ll enjoy writing in each day, that is cute, or that captures your personality. You may also want to buy an assortment of pens to fit your various moods. Then, each day take some time out and write. Write about anything you feel, your plans, your experience, anything you want.
Exercise: If you want to beat the stress one of the best things you can do is hit the gym, or do any sort of exercise you like. If you get moving your body will respond in a positive way. For one, regular exercise results in higher energy levels, and this alone can help reduce stress because you will feel more up to the challenges of being a busy mom. Hundreds of studies have shown that exercise is one of the most beneficial stress-reducers around. Not only does it improve blood flow to the brain, which increases the brain’s alpha waves which means more relaxation and calmness, but it also reduces blood pressure, decreases muscle tension, and raises endorphin levels. One of the best parts of exercise as a stress buster is that you can do it with your children in tow. Take your kids for a nice long nature walk. Take them swimming. Take them to the gym sitter while you work out. Take them on a bike ride. Push them in a stroller while you jog. And, on top of that, a lot of times the exercise will wear your children out, and they will take a nice long nap afterward.
Listen to music: Believe it or not, music is a great way to reduce stress. Find some music that fits your mood, and allow the beat and rhythm to melt your tension away.
Sing: Another great way to get rid of stress is to do it vocally. Sing in the shower, yell at the top of your lungs the lyrics to your favorite song. Usually it will bring a smile to your face and help you feel better.
Dance: This is like the combination of exercise and listening to music. However, something about the sway of your body to the music helps to let stress out. Even busy moms can dance while they do dishes, or clean the kid’s rooms.
Eat: Stress eating is not a good idea because you might put on the pounds, but for those times you are feeling overly stressed, something like a big green salad followed by a piece of your favorite chocolate cake can really do the trick. It is amazing how comforting food can be and how savoring a good meal can let stress go.
Enjoy life: Life is busy and hectic as a mom, but if you want to bust stress you have to start with the little things, like enjoying the few moments you have to yourself in the morning before your children wake up, or enjoying the hot water in the shower, even if that shower is at noon. Taking time to savor the moments, and enjoy those little things, like spending half an hour watching your favorite television show, are going to help you shed off stress and enjoy motherhood.
Parenting viewpoints from parents in the trenches, because parenting doesn’t come with a manual. In addition to