How to Beat Stress as a Busy Mom
How to Beat Stress as a Busy Mom
Did you know that women are more likely than men to be diagnosed with an autoimmune condition? This can include Lupus, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, Grave’s disease, and more. The reasons behind this are still unknown but what we do know is that there are lifestyle and dietary habits that can prevent or lessen the effects of these conditions.
As a mother, and someone who was diagnosed shortly after having me and my husband’s first child, I’ve learned how to best manage my condition — and it starts with lowering emotional and mental stress! You can check out my background story on my About page.
I’d like to offer a few tips that have helped me and so many others better manage their health while raising a family.
Get the kids on a schedule. The best thing that every mother can do for herself is to get her kids on a schedule and keep them on it. When you try to stick to a routine you’ll feel more comfortable handling breakfasts, lunches, naps, and bed times. When you don’t have a schedule, you may begin to feel scattered or disorganized and your stress levels will increase exponentially! Things are always unpredictable when kids are involved, but when you have even the simplest structure, your days will be a little more predictable and you’ll save your sanity!
Don’t be afraid to put yourself in time out or give yourself ‘me time.’ Many mothers feel like they just have to keep pushing forward when they are about to come unglued. Moms get stressed and often need to take a breather, just like kids! Instead of continuing to push forward when you are about to snap, walk into another room and just breathe deeply for a few minutes. While you are breathing, picture how you would like to respond to the situation and then remind yourself that it is important for you to follow through in a calm manner. After all, you’re a role model for your children. A minute or two in “time out” can make for a great day for the whole family!
Eat healthy. If you ask 100 moms what their diets are like, at least 85 of them will look at you and cringe. Unfortunately, there’s a tendency to just eat what you can, when you can. Indeed, a lot of moms are eating on the go and this can wreak havoc on the digestive system. When we eat too fast, we tend to choose unhealthier foods, but also neglect to break down foods and can’t absorb enough nutrients. It goes without saying that even if you are on the go you need to make a conscious effort to eat well. When you eat nutritious foods, you are providing your body with the energy it needs to keep up with your kids and cope with the stress you encounter every day.
Create a support system. Teaming up with other moms makes a great support system. Even if you can’t get together every couple weeks, it is nice to know that you have someone you can call who won’t question your abilities but will just listen and empathize. All mothers feel the stress that comes with the job, so make sure to surround yourself with other moms that will be happy to listen to you when you need a shoulder to lean on; and be sure to return the favor!
Make time for yourself. As a mom, you may forget that you’re important, too! This is why you need to make time for yourself every day. You may think that there is no time, but there is if you get help or if you sneak in some relaxation after the kids go to bed or before they get up. Give yourself a manicure or pedicure, drink that cup of tea slowly, read a book, take a long bath, or get a massage. Your relaxation time doesn’t have to be extravagant, but it needs to be there. Even 15 second or 15 minutes every day can make all the difference!
