Moms are feeling more stressed than their mothers were. The world is a much different place for moms today. We have so many responsibilities and expectations that it’s hard to find time just to be ourselves. Here are twenty ways you can destress without feeling guilty about it!
This post is all about ways for moms to destress.
Stress relief ideas for stay at home moms and working momss
Self-care may not be a priority for most moms, but the benefits speak for themselves. Taking care of yourself will make you better able to make good decisions and love your children more deeply.
Taking time for yourself doesn’t come naturally when juggling kids with home responsibilities (especially when the kids are little.). But making sure you have time to destress will help you be better at everything.
You are your children’s world, and you need to prioritize yourself. Your family will grow stronger with less stress, and you’ll have more patience for them because of this.
Remember that the best way to destress is not always going to be the same day in and day out. Look at this list and decide which one seems the most appealing to you, and let that be your guide.
1. Get some alone time
Even if it’s just a few minutes, spending time doing something just for yourself can help to reduce stress and give you a break from your responsibilities.
Find time for yourself, even if it’s only a few minutes.
Schedule your day to include some ‘me time. Every mom needs time to herself now and again.
2. Get fresh air and sunlight
Open the curtains, open the windows, spend time in the sunniest places of your home. Natural light can help you feel more relaxed and happier.
3. Drink plenty of water
I’m sure everyone already knows how important this is, but drinking water helps with stress and your whole body. There’s no substitution for hydration, and it’s one of the simplest ways to keep your spirits high so you can manage stress better.
4. Spend time with positive people
We all have certain people in our lives who are just… stressful. Don’t let them bring you down! The people we surround ourselves with influence our happiness and well-being, so make sure the people in your life lift you up.
5. Build good morning and evening routines
We often feel too rushed in the morning and overwhelmed at night, but setting up a routine can help you start your day feeling more prepared and organized and calm you down before bed, so you don’t stay up for hours worrying about your to-do list.
❤️ Read more about a morning routine for moms and the perfect mom evening routine.
6. Get enough sleep.
Sleep is essential for looking and feeling your best, so try taking a nap or relaxing before bed if you start to feel overwhelmed.
Schedule time for yourself throughout the day.
7. Set boundaries (even with those you love the most)
When you take care of yourself, you’ll be better able to care for the people around you. Try setting boundaries with your family and friends so that they know when it’s okay to ask for help. (Hint: it’s not every minute of every day.)
Learn to say no, and do it nicely! Say “no” when people ask for too much of your time or expect things you can’t give them. You’ll be happier if your schedule isn’t chock full all the time.
Stress management is part of a healthy lifestyle.
8. Do one thing at a time.
Multitasking can actually make you feel more stressed and overwhelmed, so try to focus on one thing at a time. Don’t stress about it; just take a few deep breaths and refocus.
9. Keep your surroundings pretty and functional
A messy room can make you feel stressed out, so try cleaning it up! (Don’t worry if it feels overwhelming. Just take it one step at a time.)
If your spaces are decluttered and neat, you’re less likely to feel overwhelmed. You’d be amazed how your physical surroundings can affect your mental health.
❤️ Related: is warm minimalism for you?
10. Take a few minutes a day to plan your time
Planning doesn’t mean you need a color-coded planner
Instead of having a huge to-do list filled with things that don’t seem possible to accomplish within 24 hours, break it down to smaller tasks, so they seem more achievable. You’ll feel less stressed and more accomplished when you check things off your list.
11. Join mom groups
Online parenting groups or in-person gatherings are a great way to meet people in the same stage of life as you. These friendships often can even grow from online into in-person friendships when the women meet in person. You need to talk about what’s important to them and continue being supported by other moms. When you find a good support group that you click with, it will help you in so many ways.
12. Find a new hobby (or restart an old one)
Hobbies are not just for fun; they’re good for stress relief, too.
When a baby is born, a lot of moms forget they were their own person first. Some moms play chess, knit, color, dance, singing or play an instrument. There is satisfaction when we do something we love and do it well.
Busy moms are often tempted to stop any hobby they had before kids, but hobbies help reduce depression and anxiety, among other things. Try picking up your old hobby again. It doesn’t have to be expensive or time-consuming–just something you enjoy doing that’s separate from caring for your baby.
❤️ Read this list of the very best hobbies for moms.
13. Ask for help…nicely
It’s hard for many women to be in charge of the house and managing a family when they often feel like it should all fall on them. And to be honest, if you are a stay-at-home mom and your husband works, you should do most of the housework and childcare. But everyone needs help now and then, and your husband will be happy to help if you ask nicely. (Or ask your best friend or another family member to watch one of your kids for a few hours. Make sure you return the favor!)
14. Get outside
Get outside every day. EVERY DAY. Even if you take a short 10 minute walk around the neighborhood or to the mailbox, it can make a difference.
Sometimes it’s beneficial to go outside to change the scenery around you and breathe clean, fresh air. Walking is also a great exercise, and it also makes us feel better about going outside. More studies show the impact of being within nature around trees, bodies of water, and plant life on our mental well-being. The more we have access to the natural world, the better we feel.
15. Get exercise
Busy moms feel like one more thing on their plate is the last thing they need to destress. But adding exercise to your schedule, even a few minutes of it is always worth the time. The human body releases endorphins in workouts making fit people generally happier than couch potatoes.
16. Find small, affordable indulgences
You can put these on your schedule once a week or use them as rewards when you meet specific goals. Some ideas:
- a small box of dark chocolate
- a bubble bath
- fresh flowers
17. Hire a babysitter or mother’s helper
If you can afford it, I promise it’s worth every single cent. A mother’s helper is usually a younger teenager who comes to play with little ones so busy moms can pay attention to other things or have one-on-one time with other children. This is an excellent option for the stay-at-home mom who just needs a little quiet time.
18. Meditate to destress
A simple meditation is all it takes to lower your heartbeat and blood pressure in no time. You can find some great apps that guide you through this process.
Meditation can be even simpler if you just focus on breathing in through your nose and out of your mouth.
These simple meditation tricks are helpful for busy moms who have a million thoughts running through their minds. Meditation might sound weird or not your style, but it’s worth trying.
19. Get enough sleep
Sleep is the most critical step towards restoring yourself. Naps are great, too, but more sleep at night will help your moods immensely.
Of course, you should always get enough rest. When kids are little, they’ll be up several times a night, so it’s hard to have a full 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep. But, if you can make it happen, you’ll see a significant difference in how you feel during the day.
20. Busy moms, be nice to yourself
Did you get a stain on your shirt? Did a kid have an accident? Did you forget to buy eggs…again? It happens to everyone. Would you yell at your best friend for something like that? Of course not. Be gentle with yourself.
Moms are feeling more stressed than their mothers were. The world is a much different place for moms today, and it’s hard to find time just to be ourselves. Whether your stress comes from financial insecurities, parenting styles, or high expectations of children’s success-these tips will help reduce your stress levels so that you can enjoy life a little bit more each day.