How To Reduce the Stress Mom

Do you remember the song sung by the 7 dwarfs in the Snow White movie? They were mining for diamonds and were singing "We dig dig dig dig dig dig dig in our mine the whole day through". We mothers are not much different. Our song would be "We work work work work work work work for our family the whole day through".

We fill our time "manning the ship" (so to speak), after a while, we start to feel worn out. As important as it is to take care of the family, it is doubly important that moms take care of themselves too.

DON'T EVER FOREGO YOUR PERSONAL TIME.

Like a car that needs gas to run, you need to replenish your "fuel" too. You know it's time to schedule that personal time when you get irritated by small things, loss your temper too quickly, feel like screaming, feel unappreciated, feel like crying, feel trapped etc.... In other words, it's time for a break when your negative emotions are starting to get the better of you.

Don’t be ashamed to sit for fifteen minutes doing nothing. In the springtime, relaxing in a hammock under a tree is the perfect getaway from the pressures of the day. Reading a book for 30 minutes can also seem like heaven to many moms.

Here are a few tips to help you fit in much needed “mom” time:

1. Get up early if you have to. When you have kids, the day begins at a hurried pace. Once you hit the ground running, there is no stopping you. Waking 30 minutes to an hour ahead of time means quiet solitude to drink your coffee, read a book, meditate or listen to music.

2. Turn ordinary experiences into major events. When you take a bath, add candles, bubble bath, quiet music and/or an inflatable bath pillow. Your regular bath has now become a spa level experience. If you watch a movie, turn out the lights, pop a bag of microwave popcorn and curl up on the couch.

3. Ask your significant other for help. Kids love their mothers but time spent with dad is important too. Let them bond with dad while you go shopping for a new outfit or root around in the garden. Since the time is yours, do whatever you like.

4. Use the Boy Scout motto. Always be prepared and you can spend more time in a relaxed mode. Fix lunches the night before. Iron clothes for the next day and place backpacks by the front door so kids can grab them on their way out. The fewer things you have to do throughout the day, the calmer you will be with your family and not experience burnout.

5. Take exercise breaks. When you get a few minutes the last thing you want to do is exercise but getting a little physical activity in your day has far-reaching implications. Exercise helps you to think clearly and stretches the muscles. Also, stress will drain away as powerful endorphins are released into your system. Do jumping jacks during a television commercial or jog to the bus stop to pick up the kids.

6. Laugh at regular intervals. Keep a funny calendar cube on your desk or subscribe to a daily joke site. Laughing releases stress and can lift your spirits significantly. It also keeps the abs tight.

So, when is your next me time? And what is your favorite me time activity?

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Tired of feeling like you have to be superwoman, caring for everyone but yourself? Be real and start your Journey to Joy now. You and your family will thank you for it.