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Being a mom is the most rewarding yet at times one of the toughest roles we play as women. So it is critical that we find ways to take care of ourselves. Try some of these helpful stress relief tips for moms…
Motherhood is hard. Our days begin early and are filled with the duties of caring for our families and our homes as well as working outside jobs in many cases. Many of us are caring for elderly family members as well. But too often, self-care comes dead last on our list of priorities and stress relief seems impossible.
Nobody is going to take care of us and we’ve got to carve out the time to nurture ourselves so that we can nurture our families. Vehicles run on fuel and if the supply isn’t replenished, they eventually won’t move.
Now, as women we aren’t going to stop moving but if we keep taxing ourselves and pushing past our physical limits, we will eventually begin to pay the price with adrenal fatigue or other physical disorders.
7 Stress Relief Tips for Moms
- Find time to nurture your spiritual self. You can easily make it a part of your day by keeping devotional books by your bedside, apps on your mobile device, listening to music or podcasts while driving or taking a walk. Even five or ten minutes of meditation and prayer will help clear your mind.
- Get moving. Physical activity in some form at least four or five times a week is an important part of managing stress. Exercise will energize you and you’ll feel the stress slip away. It may be hard to put everything aside to go on a walk or get to the gym but you will always feel better afterwards.
- Find creative outlets that you enjoy. Writing, gardening, crafts, knitting, cooking or painting are all stress relief activities that give your mind a change of pace. Try taking an outside class and learning something new.
- Find time to laugh. Watch a funny movie or TV show with your family, get together with friends or even just find some fun Pinterest boards to follow that make you smile.
- Manage your social media time wisely. Avoid the temptation to always be connected and check your messages at set times. Take social media breaks and fully engage where you are. Be a “no drama mama” and avoid online conflicts as they are stressful and draining. Be engaging and encouraging.
- Learn to meal plan. Making the time to meal plan will help you avoid finding yourself at 4:00 in the afternoon wondering what you are going to make for dinner. Investigate meal planning services. Eating nutritiously is part of managing stress.
- Get enough rest. This is one of those stress relief tips that seems obvious but cutting out sleep is the most common way moms try to get everything done. But moms need their sleep! Don’t stay up late watching TV after the kids have gone to bed. Take a quick nap when you need it. Observe a weekly day (or afternoon) of rest. It’s so important that you take the time to recharge.
Take the time to care for yourself and you will find you are a more patient mom, wife and friend.
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Written by Marya Mesa and first published here at 5 Minutes for Mom on October 10, 2013.
Marya is a mother of 4 children with multiple special needs. She blogs about special needs and faith at www.suncoastmomma.com.
Victoria says
Beneficial Tips for me. Thanks for sharing with us.
Loop pedal says
Good tips really being mother is toughest job specialy when you have toddler
Caryl Anne says
Excellent tips of advice! I love how you mentioned to take the time out to care for yourself. Once you do this, in my opinion, everything else will fall into place. Thanks for sharing!
Dawn Cullo says
Great tip about “get moving”. I am trying to get back into joining a gym and getting rid of some stress.
Emily says
I am doing SOME of these but what good encouragements in all areas! I love the funny Pinterest board idea. I will give that a try!
Thanks for the great article!
Susan says
I need to work on so many of these areas!!!
I definitely find walking helps me deal with my stress and I also love to unwind with a funny TV show or movie.
But I need to make more time to nurture my spiritual self.
Nolie says
Fantastic post. I need to work on getting more rest. I mean to go to bed earlier every night but I enjoy the kid free time oh so much.
Lisa- The Domestic Life Stylist says
Getting to bed on time has been the worst for me recently. With a new infant in tow, a 3 year old and many activities all striving for my attention… let’s just say that I could do much better on the sleep part.
Jennifer Sikora says
Loved these tips. I am the WORST when it comes to social media. I am forever checking my email or Facebook. I need to start setting limits on that.
Andrea says
Such great tips, Marya! I started meal planning years ago and it definitely keeps the stress to a minimum at dinner time.
Penny Raine says
Excellent article! About 3 years ago I came to the realization that I needed a plan very similar to this. Pretty much everyday my children see me head for the treadmill where they know I am “praying and getting my thoughts in order.” Often it is a walk down our very long country drive for the same reasons. I am a much better mother because of it. All of your other points are great too and will definitely help keep a mom healthier. As an added benefit I have also shrunk down from an extra large to a size small 🙂 . Yay!!!
Anna says
These are awesome tips! I’ve found if I make time for prayer in the morning before anything else, I’m much more relaxed the whole day. 🙂