13 Healthy Ways Moms Can Relieve Stress

Over the many years of being a Mom, I’ve learned many easy tips for relieving stress. I hope these 13 Healthy Ways Moms Can Relieve Stress will help you too! If you are trying to manage your Self Care while taking care of others, you could use this Printable Daily Self-Care Checklist plus 40 Easy Self-Care Ideas for Moms.

Life can just be so stressful! From the day-to-day busyness to the absolute hardships we encounter. Anxiety can overtake us!

About a month ago I got a new job working as a Substitute Para Educator (aka teachers helper) with our local school district.  I had really mixed emotions about this, as my new Virtual Assistant Business (aka online secretary) has been really taking off. 

I went back and forth as to whether I should take the job or not and decided I would go ahead and take it because it’s super hard to get in with the school district here and since I’m not watching my grand kids anymore, it has been a pretty huge income loss.  And I’ve been on a waiting list for quite some time.

13 Healthy Ways Moms Can Relieve Stress

So along with my Blogging Business, VA Business and Para Educator job…I’ve been a little STRESSED OUT!  Oh, sorry to shout…just relieving a little stress.

Oh wait, that’s not the only stress I have  in my life…Teenagers!  One in particular, the 16 year old.  She thinks she is all grown up but acts like a toddler.  Yes, if you’ve ever had teens OR a toddler, you know exactly what I mean. 

Let’s see, then there is the everyday stuff, like my husband wanting to spend some time with me….the house needs to be cleaned…the kids have sporting events…groceries need to be bought and meals prepared…etc.  You know LIFE!

I’m finding I have reached my limit! 

Now what?!

This isn’t the first time that life has seemed overwhelming and I’m sure it won’t be the last, however over the years I have certain indicators that have helped me to realize when I’m overwhelmed, over tired and starting a downward spiral to burnout.  I have a tendency to take too much on….have you noticed!?

Indicators of being over-stressed are:

These are just a few indicators of being over-stressed as a Mom or really anyone. I’ve found that these are the indicators for me when I’m starting to Spiral (they may be different for you):

• Being grouchy a lot
• Not sleeping well, can’t turn the brain off
• Lack of Patience…especially with teens and toddlers.
• Want to isolate and everyday little problems seem more overwhelming than they really are.

So what do I do?

Solutions to being over-stressed:

I hope that these 13 ideas will help you to find your way back into a more peaceful balanced life. I’ve had to come back to them over and over for years.

1.  Stop

Stop and realistically re-evaluate my time, my commitments, my passions and my goals.  Anytime is a great time to do this as it is a time for new beginnings and new starts!  Spend time with the Lord to truly hear from Him and decide what must stay and what must go.

2.  Journal

For me journaling is a huge stress reliever…umm obviously I like to write.  After journaling for the past 30 years…I find answers and hidden gems that God shows me..in His word.  I write them down so that in my busy, busy life, I don’t forget what is spoken to my heart and I go back over and over to the wisdom of God for comfort. If you are interested in learning how to journal you might enjoy this Journal Learning series!

3.  I take a break that is out of the ordinary.

Do something I really love that has nothing to do with busyness or business!  Today my daughter is taking me out to lunch!  So fun.  The sun has been shining and I was out in the yard the other day for hours.  It felt so good to let my mind go and just enjoy the smell of the dirt and get rid of those weeds.  Awww

4. Take a break from Social Media

As a Blogger and VA I need to be on Social Media quite often. I’ve cut way back so that I have a little breathing room, thus cutting back on the stress of always having to be “present”

5.  Create a very simple schedule

I am in the process of creating a schedule for myself.  Maybe you have one…but I’m sort of a “free spirit” LOL I like to do things when I want to.  Most of the time this works super great for me, but right now… I need to get focused on a few things or I will burn myself out.  This will alleviate the stress of having too long of a to do list every single day.  I’ll only be doing the things I really NEED to be doing. 

6.  I’m not sure how many of you know this, but I am a recovering alcoholic/drug addict.  I’ve been in recovery for 40 years this May, by Gods’ amazing grace.  Anyway, I never ever take unhealthy pills, drink or do any kinds of unhealthy behaviors to relieve stress.  Instead over the years I have sought out more healthy alternatives and natural and healthy ways to relieve stress.  

7.  Take a nice long hot bath…

with candles lit or lights off.  This is a huge stress reliever for me at the end of a hard day.

8.  Go for a walk or workout. 

We all know the stress relieving benefits of exercise.  So on my simple little schedule I’m making…I’m going to fit in what is important, exercise.

9.  Create margin in my day! 

Pretty much every minute of my day is scheduled.  Margin is a non scheduled time for those “emergencies” or just plain down times we need in our days…or week.  It’s a must to relieve stress so that I don’t always feel like I’m “on” every second of every day.

10.  Get healthy sleep. 

When I’m overwhelmed and stressed I don’t get good sleep as I said above BUT, by doing the above things I WILL get healthy sleep.  It’s one of those catch 22 things.  So doing the first 9 things will help me to do number 10! Make sense?

11.  LAUGH MORE! 

Put on a comedy movie, tell some silly jokes, watch funny videos of kids or animals…whatever makes you laugh…DO It!

Proverbs 17:22 says “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”

12.  Spend time with friends. 

This can be a huge stress reliever as you share your heart with them. Here are some fun ideas you can do for Self Care with friends…try them all!

13.  Cry it out…

Really, it’s ok. Crying is a great stress reliever…just don’t stay there.

That’s my list…these 13 healthy ways Moms Can relieve stress really DO work, but first we must DO them. I’ve learned the hard way what can happen if we don’t get our stress under control.   Stress is super bad for us, so let’s do what it takes to live a healthy life spiritually, mentally, emotionally and physically.  Ok!?

There will always be a certain amount of stress in life, but take charge and change what you can and find ways to live with the others.

You CAN get a handle on stress…you really can, so don’t give up hope.  Try some of the above steps and let me know what how you are doing.   Or maybe one or two of them. 

What about you…what do you do to relieve stress or when you just plain feel overwhelmed?