Between school runs and chores, cooking and other childcare duties, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed as a mom. Add work to the mix, and you have a recipe for a stress-filled schedule.
However, you don’t have to accept stress as part of parenthood. You simply need to learn to manage it effectively so that it does not control your life or impact your well-being.
Not only does learning how to leave your stress behind benefit you, but it also means you’re setting a great example for your children. This means that they’ll grow up knowing exactly what to do when things get tough instead of simply trying to push through stress and anxiety.
Photo by Omar Lopez on Unsplash
Here are some great ways on how to leave stress behind a busy mom!
Get enough sleep.
While stress can sometimes be the main reason why we’re dealing with a sleepless night, it’s crucial that you’re getting the rest your mind and body need. After all, sleep helps to regulate your mood, which means it can be an effective way to reduce stress, anxiety and other negative feelings.
Being well-rested means that you’re able to think clearly and rationally, which could also help you to reduce stress, as it means you’re able to think of a solution to your problem instead of letting it overwhelm you.
There are many ways in which you can improve your sleep, including:
- Turning on the blue light filter on your phone and avoiding using it directly before bed.
- Keeping a consistent sleep routine, going to bed at the same time each evening.
- Creating a bedroom space that feels calm, relaxing, and peaceful.
- Avoid caffeine in the afternoon and evening.
- Listening to white noise or gentle music.
Find effective ways to manage your anxiety.
It’s common to experience some anxiety as a mom, which means that finding some way to manage your anxiety is crucial. For example, CBD products, such as Naturecan’s CBD gummies, are often used to help manage some of the symptoms of anxiety, as CBD can trigger your body’s production of happiness-inducing hormones, such as serotonin. As such, you may feel much calmer afterward or find it easier to fall asleep.
Build a support network.
Having a support network that you can rely on in times of need (or whenever you need to vent) can also prove to be an effective stress reliever. Your support network can include your spouse or partner, friends or family, though you may also want to join a local mom group. This way, you know you’ve always got someone to turn to when you need to talk.
Stay active.
Staying active or making time in your schedule for exercise can also help to reduce your stress. This is because exercise increases our serotonin and dopamine levels while also reducing cortisol (the hormone that triggers stress). Furthermore, exercise can prove to be a welcome distraction or outlet for stress by giving you something else to focus your attention on.
Don’t bring work home with you.
Failing to properly shut off outside of work hours (even if you work from home) can also leave you more prone to stress and anxiety. This is because your free time is never really free, especially if you’re still checking on work emails, answering calls, or thinking about an upcoming deadline. As such, it’s crucial that you find a way to leave work behind outside of your scheduled hours.
For example, it could be that you need to turn off your work phone and hide it away so that you’re not tempted to pick it up. You may also need to set stricter boundaries with your employer about your availability.
Dedicate time to your own hobbies and interests.
As a parent, most of your energy goes into ensuring your children are happy and healthy, which often means that you don’t leave any time in your schedule for yourself. However, it’s important to remember that you are still your own person in addition to being a parent – and you need to continue to do things for yourself, too, such as picking up a new hobby or exploring an old one.
Hobbies are excellent stress relievers, as they act as a distraction while also giving you something to look forward to during a busy or hectic day. As you get better at your hobby, you’ll also be filled with a sense of pride and personal satisfaction.
Practice mindfulness.
Practicing mindfulness is often touted as a great way to manage stress, but if you’re new to the wellness world, it can be hard to know where to start. For example, many beginners find it hard to remain focused during a meditation session, especially if you’re surrounded by distractions.
In this case, it’s best to start small. Instead of trying to throw yourself into a thirty-minute meditation, start with just a few minutes of deep breathing and reflection. You’d be surprised at just how useful this can be!
Spend quality time with your children.
Spending quality time with your children can also be an excellent way to fight off stress! As such, whenever you feel yourself getting stressed or overwhelmed, take a step back from whatever you are working on and participate in some kind of family activity. For example, you could head on a family day out, cook a meal together, or watch your favorite movie or series!
Figure out why you are stressed.
It can sometimes feel as though we are stressed for the sake of being stressed, with no clear trigger insight. However, while it may feel unpromoted, it’s important that you get to the bottom of your stress so that you’re able to do something about it.
For example, you could be feeling heightened stress and anxiety because you are consistently overworked in the office. If this goes unchecked, the problem will only get worse as one deadline is replaced by the next. However, if you are aware of this, you can put plans in place to reduce workplace stress in the future, such as asking for help.