How Moms Juggle it All
For most mothers, taking care of themselves while taking care of a gaggle (or even just one) of little ones is very low on the priority list. Nowadays, mothers lead a busier lifestyle than ever before, and balancing their lives requires a lot of time. However, mothers are now starting to realize that, in a lot of cases, a happy mom equals happy kids, so women are finding new and effective ways to stay relaxed and calm to make their juggling act just a little bit easier.
All women are different, so it can take some time to figure out what works for you, but MommyPage has a few suggestions that could help you figure it out! Here are some popular relaxation methods moms are using today:
- Drinking Tea. Though coffee may be your life-blood, tea is healthier and helps you to unwind. Jackie Keller, a Los Angeles-based nutrition and wellness coach, explains that “drinking something hot literally makes you slow down,” and that tea can help you “to sit still for 10 minutes and decompress.”According to parents.com, “a recent British study found that people who started drinking tea had lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol after six weeks compared to those who consumed a placebo beverage.”
- Satisfying a Sweet Tooth. Chocolate is truly a woman’s medicine. Though it is important to remember not to binge-eat sweet treats, studies have shown that chocolate can help reduce a woman’s stress level. “It has the perfect combination of fat, sugar, and compounds that stimulate the brain to release endorphins,” says family physician Ann G. Kulze, MD. “The sugar also kicks up production of the mood-boosting brain chemical serotonin, which can help lower the body’s stress response.” (Parents.com)
- Playing Family Games. In truth, the concept of “family game night” has been a bit lost over the years, (perhaps due to the copious amounts of video games available for kids) but that doesn’t mean you can’t bring it back! Break out a board game—even if it’s older—and get the whole family involved. “Inevitably while you’re taking turns you can slip in a ‘tell me about your day,’” says Keller. It’s a great way to relax, have fun, and even get a little more insight into your children’s lives.
- Enjoying Your Space. Not just physically separating yourself from your busy life every once in a while, but creating a relaxing area that’s all your own. Your desk—at home or work—is probably littered with pictures of your kids, but it never hurt to add a few pictures of a beach or some incense (though the incense should probably be just for home) to help calm you down. Having pictures of your favorite vacation spot can help to temporarily transport you there and relax your mind.
- Turning it Up. Everyone knows that chores (especially a mother’s chores) are inherently boring. Why not use that time to unwind and have some fun? Turn on the radio or a CD—maybe one that reminds you of your high school days—and start the laundry. Your kids will get a kick out of watching you dance around and sing to your favorite songs. “When mom’s silly, it’s remarkable what happens to her kids,” says Shoshana Bennett, PhD, a clinical psychologist in the San Francisco Bay area and author of Postpartum Depression for Dummies. “You’ll have a roomful of happy gigglers in just 15 seconds — it’s truly transformative.”
Do anything of these suggestions help you? What helps you to juggle it all? Tell us what you think!
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