Being a mother is demanding, and even Supermoms can get stressed out. Kids require a lot of time and energy, and while they should be a high priority, sometimes stress gets the best of us. Too much stress is harmful for both our mental and physical wellbeing.
Constant stress can take a toll on your body, mind, and emotions. It weakens your immune system, makes it harder to think clearly, and can reduce your ability to cope with challenging situations.
Everyone experiences stress at some point in their lives, and it can have serious consequences if not managed properly. When you’re under a lot of pressure, it’s easy for those feelings to bleed into other areas of your life, impacting your work, home life, and health. In fact, stress has been linked to heart disease, depression, cancer, and a host of other conditions. Learning how to manage your stress is crucial to maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
It’s important to schedule time each day to de-stress and manage your stress levels. Here are some suggestions:
• Each morning, set aside some time to do something that will help reduce your stress levels. This can be something as simple as meditating, praying, or writing in a journal. Taking some time each day to focus on your inner peace can help to reduce stress and bring awareness to what’s going on inside.
When it comes to reducing stress, there are a few different things you can do that can be effective. Meditation, prayer, and journaling are all great ways to connect with yourself and work through your worries. All three of these activities can be done either during the day or at night before you go to bed.
• Exercising regularly is one of the most effective ways to reduce stress. You don’t need to exercise for hours every day to see results; even a brisk walk or a trip to the gym a few times a week can help.
One way to help relieve some pressure is by getting your body moving with some exercise. Pop in a dance DVD and spend some time dancing in your living room, or if you have a young child, strap them into their stroller and walk around the block a few times. Any exercise you can do will help reduce stress. If you can make time for exercise every day, you’ll find that your stress levels will come down naturally.
• As important as it is for you to spend time with your kids, you need time for yourself, too. Get out of the house every once in a while! Schedule an afternoon every other week, or even once a month, to do something fun–whether it is going for a jog in the park, volunteering at the art center, or catching up with your best friend. It’s okay to leave the children with a trusted sitter so that you can have some time to yourself.
• It’s important to take some time for yourself every once in a while. If you can, see if you can get some alone time and treat yourself to a bubble bath. Draw yourself a hot bath, light a candle, and put on some soft music. Relax and enjoy the peace and quiet. When you’re done, pamper yourself even further with a manicure or pedicure.
Being a mommy is hard work, and sometimes it’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the demands of motherhood. To be the best mommy you can be, it’s important to take care of yourself too. Consider what ways work best for you to de-stress and make an honest effort to schedule those activities into your life. You’ll feel better, and you’ll be able to handle all the challenges of motherhood with a clear head.
