Being a mom is one of the most fulfilling roles you can have. However, it does have its own quirks and turns, which can overwhelm you at times. Nonetheless, these don’t have to take their toll on you. Here are 10 ways to remove stress and worries.
Meditate.
This can be done in 5 simple steps. First, sit up straight with your feet flat on the floor. Second, close your eyes. Third, recite a positive mantra—like “I am happy” or “I am at peace”— aloud or in silence. Fourth, sync the mantra with your breath by placing one hand on your belly. Lastly, let distracting clouds go by like bubbles. You only need a few minutes of this a day in order to ease anxiety.
Get a move on.
This can be challenging for new moms who have to juggle domestic tasks as well as work. Nonetheless going for a walk, jogging, or even just stretching can lessen stress. Exercise facilitates the release of endorphins, which is associated with happy feelings or improved mood. It can be a diversion as well from all the challenges of being a mom. In addition, doing cardiovascular exercises increases your stamina and improves your sleep quality.
Be present.
Relish the moment. Parenting can be taxing if you lose sight of why you’re doing it in the first place. If you’re child asks you to play catch with him/her, focus on that activity. You’ll realize how pleasing it is to slow down and just enjoy being with your child. After all, the simple things are what make up for lasting memories. Never lose track of your simple joys.
Take some time off.
Motherhood is 24/7, but it doesn’t have to feel like a job. Stress and worries pile up when you don’t have time to re-energize. You have to find time to nurture yourself. You can ask your spouse, a friend or a relative to watch over your toddler while you nap or indulge in a hobby.
Crank up the music.
Engage your senses by listening to soothing music. Research shows that doing this lowers heart rate, blood pressure as well as anxiety. Your playlist can include nature sounds (rustling leaves, birds chirping, the ocean, and the like), classical pieces, and tunes that help you relax. Focus on the instruments, singers, or melodies in the piece. You can likewise up the ante and blow off some steam via upbeat tunes or singing your lungs out.
Try water therapy.
Since you have been winding the music up, why not sing in the shower as well? One of the best stress relievers includes showers and baths. Let your cares float like bubbles and envision your stress and worries go down the drain. You’ll feel relieved stepping out of the shower.
LOL. Laugh Out Loud.
Want to lower stress hormones or cortisol? Have a good belly laugh. This will not only lighten your mental load, it will also improve your mood, thanks to endorphins. It’s as easy as enjoying a comic book, watching a sitcom, or chatting with a friend. Speaking of chatting, you can also…
Reach out.
There’s a reason why you have a social network (not just online). Reach out to other moms or parents. Talk to them face to face or on the phone and share what you are going through. You can establish a deeper connection and get a dose of perspective. You can also join a support group to ease your worries.
Talk to a doctor.
If connecting with other parents and member of your social network doesn’t cut it, seek professional help. Some anxieties or stress can be worked out best through therapies and medication.
Be grateful.
Keep a list of blessings or better yet, have a journal or several of them (one at your headboard or bed, another at work, and another in your purse). This will remind you of all the good things in your life.
Counting your blessings helps create a positive outlook and cancels stress and worries.
Write down sweet memories in your journal. It may be as simple as your child’s smile that brightens your day or a once-in-a-lifetime experience of seeing your baby’s first steps. Be sure to scribble down your accomplishments such a indulging in a new hobby or doing a new task excellently. All of these simple details add up.
When you begin feeling worried or stressed, get your journal, browse through your blurbs and recall what truly matters.
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Katie Horgan is the Co-Founder and marketing-haven of Giving Assistant, a coupon and deals website that provides discounts to visitors from almost any industry. You can check out their latest list of health coupons.
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