It is fairly common for busy Moms to feel so stressed out from trying to balance their work, family and other responsibilities that they are often left feeling burned out and frustrated.
If these stress levels continue over a long period of time they can start impacting the overall mental and physical health of a Mom, so it is important that she learns how to manage stress. Although there are many stress management techniques that are very effective in relaxing the mind and reducing the unpleasant symptoms associated with stress, the focus here will be on just three of these techniques which are not only simple to follow but can also be done in the course of a busy day.
Breathing Exercises
At any time during the course of the day, try taking some very deep breaths while closing your eyes. Start with deep inhalation through your nose while letting your abdomen expand, then hold your breath for a second or two before exhaling it very slowly through your mouth. Repeat this process as often as you would like throughout the day, especially when you have just been through a stressful event or about to face another crisis. The advantage of this type of exercise is that it can be done almost anywhere, anytime, to quickly reduce tension and relax the mind. You can perform this exercise while standing or sitting, even at your office desk or on the train ride home from work.
Shift Your Focus
There is an increasing amount of research being done on the body mind connection that illustrates how our body chemistry changes when we experience certain types of emotional and psychological stresses. Since stress is centered around the mind, it would be logical to occupy it with something more useful or fun. Although this process may not actually solve the impeding issue at hand, it can definitely help in calming nerves and settling down any anxiety and tension. A few examples of shifting your focus would be to listen to relaxing and uplifting music and focusing on the words of the song or just letting your mind wander to a far away place, you can also try doing a puzzle like sudoku, crosswords or jigsaw puzzles. This diversion will help force your mind to focus on solving a problem that is actually fun to do. You can also try to watch a television show or read a book which can help temporarily shift your thoughts away from your worries and fears, allowing your body and mind to relax.
Talk to Someone
Sometimes a Mom just needs a shoulder to lean on and be able to vent out her frustrations. It is important to let go of negative thoughts and frustrations so that they do not fester and lead you to an outburst later on. It is not uncommon for a Mom to snap at one of her children because of stress only to feel regret and guilt later on. Talk to a friend, family member or anyone who will genuinely listen to you and not find fault. Often times this will be another Mom since she has most likely experienced similar frustrations and will be able to relate to you, offering sympathy, not judgment. In this modern age of Internet, you can also find many helpful chat rooms and forums specifically designed for Moms where you can voice your concerns. You will be able to get feedback from other Moms who have gone through similar issues and are willing to offer you some helpful advice or simply a sympathetic ear and some encouragement. If it is not convenient to talk to someone, try writing down your thoughts in a journal or typing them on your computer word processor, this will help you to release and vent out your emotions in a constructive way. Journalling is a therapeutic way of helping you get to the core and root of your issues by allowing you to freely express yourself and reveal even your inner secret thoughts that you may not otherwise feel comfortable sharing with others.
Any Mom can practice these stress management techniques and, if done as often as needed, she can take back control of her life and not allow stress, worry or fear to control her.
Are you a Mom who is burning the candle at both ends and are tired of feeling overwhelmed and stressed out?
Why not take control of the situation and get your life back before stress takes its toll on you?
You can receive a free 7-part series on managing your work and family entitled "Take Control of Your Life" right now by simply filling out the newsletter subscription box on the homepage of http://www.newcenturymoms.com/
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