The other day I read this statistic: 70 percent of U.S. moms say mothering is “incredibly stressful” while 96 percent also feel that they are far more stressed than their own mothers were!
That is a HUGE number! But am I surprised? No, not really.
Juggling your responsibilities as a mom along with the many other duties you have is challenging. There are so many different demands and pressures of motherhood, work, business, family, etc. and, as much as I hate to say this, it feels like all that pressure mostly falls on the mom.
The problem with having so much pressure being put on moms all the time is that it makes you feel so overstretched, leaving the mothers’ stress levels super high. In turn, this constant stress and pressure affects your relationship with the people around you, with yourself, and can be harmful to your health.
Furthermore, being stressed out constantly can also make mothers lose their productivity and focus at work which adds even MORE stress!
This is why it’s really important to find effective stress management tools that fit your needs. It is all about finding a rhythm and a routine that works for you while also learning your stress triggers.
So today I will be sharing 10 ways to reduce stress for moms while sharing what has worked for me.
10 Effective Ways To Reduce Stress For Moms
Deep breathing
This is my go-to when I’m about to lose my cool. A few deep breaths help me quickly deescalate and slow down. Deep breathing helps me manage stress levels and it gives me time to think about the situation at hand. The few minutes I gain when I deep breath helps me determine whether or not the thing I’m about to get mad about deserves the energy.
Mom tip: I practice deep breathing with my kids when they get frustrated as well and it works like a charm. It helps calm their body down and it teaches them good stress management techniques.
Establish a set routine
Establishing routines and practices in my week makes it possible for me to take care of myself, my family, and my business. Having a routine helps to alleviate LOTS of stressful situations. For example, I know that on Fridays I have less work in my business and more time at home. This means that my Fridays are dedicated to catching up on loose ends around the house, like laundry! Having a set routine is important whether you’re a stay-at-home mom or a working mom.
Getting organized with your time is the greatest gift you can give yourself. It helps you feel accomplished and it helps you get your priorities done.
Schedule in self care
Self care is not just manis, pedis and massages. Even though those are nice! But self care is about finding time to do what makes you happy and helps you feel accomplished. This can look like going to the grocery store to restock your produce, reading or writing, planning your schedule for your next day or going to the gym.
Let me know in the comments below what’s your favorite self care activity!
Get that heart rate up
There is no better stress relief than getting some movement in. All you need is 30 minutes 3-5 times per week to notice a HUGE difference in your physical and mental health.
I totally understand not being able to make it to the gym when you have little ones to take care of. Personally, I can’t make it to the gym most days of the week, so I do a walk on my treadmill while Alice is on her Ipad.
Also, as soon as the weather gets nicer, it will be easier to get outside more and do some walking with the kids. Evidence based studies show that spending time outdoors helps in reducing stress, anxiety and depression.
Put your phone away and take time to laugh
As cliche as this sounds, laughing is one of the best stress relievers. I have made it a habit to put my phone away when both kids are at home. Take time to listen and play with your kids and watch how the stress melts away.
I also understand that there are days where everything feels super heavy and all you want to do is scroll on your phone alone in your room and that is VALID. But maybe this little reminder can help someone: you do not need to get everything on your to-do list done everyday. Those to-do lists are NEVER done anyways. So spend time making memories, being present and laughing whenever you can because those are more important than worrying about unwashed dishes.
Find a good support group
Community is so important, especially when you’re a mom. This is one of the BIGGEST reasons why I started my platforms on Instagram and TikTok. Having a close-knit community and a good support group, whether that is with friends, family, or a formal support group is so underrated. As an introvert, it can be hard to talk to others but when you find the right people, it can be energy GIVING. I also love journaling and getting my thoughts on paper when I feel like there is too much noise in my head and it’s bringing me down. So you can be your own support group 🙂
Lose the mom guilt
Don’t ever feel guilty about just needing some time alone. In fact, I think it’s super healthy to take some time each day to just be with yourself. There is so much going on in the world and there are so many things happening that increase stress. So take some time to just BE. This time alone is essential for busy moms that feel like they go through the day on autopilot. Spending time alone also helps you reconnect with yourself so you can be your own person outside of being a mom.
Asking for and accepting help
You know that phrase “it takes a village?” It’s true, it does take a village and it takes you, as the mom, being okay with asking for help. Your village might be your partner, friends, family or even someone who you pay. I get a babysitter at least 3 times per week to watch the kids so I can get my things done. And it makes me and my family happy. All mamas have different things they want to make time for so don’t feel bad about asking for help so you can get those things done.
Meal plan
Dinner is probably the most stressful time for a mom. Therefore planning meals ahead of time will relieve you of so much stress. TRUST ME!
Start by going through your fridge and freezer to see what you can make for the upcoming week. Throughout the week, make a grocery list on your phone so you have it with you when you go grocery shopping. Make sure your pantry is stocked with items like rice, pasta, lentils, beans, oats, nuts, marinara sauce, quinoa, etc. Then, plan meals for the week based on what veggies you have.
Choose one day out of the week that you focus on this ONE task and see for yourself how much lighter your week feels when dinner is taken care of!
Date night
Before I became a mom, my husband and I had date nights every Friday. But that became a rare occasion when I had Amir and Alice because there was no one around to watch the kids. So I can totally relate to anyone who doesn’t want to leave their kids with a sitter. But something that we started doing is having date night IN after the kids have gone to bed. We’d get take out and maybe watch a movie or just talk. I look forward to Fridays so much because it is our time to connect and be together. And having something to look forward to keeps me motivated and excited.
Figure out what works for you and your schedule and MAKE IT HAPPEN!
How about you? What is something you do that helps you destress?