There is no doubt that parenting is like a double-edged sword. At the very same time as it is one of the most joyful and rewarding things in life, it can be equally as stressful. Wouldn’t it be nice if the stress wasn’t there so you could fully enjoy all those moments that will soon be a thing of the past? Actually, there are a few things you can do to alleviate the stress. It’s a matter of finding what works for you.
1. Take Time to Recharge – Time for YOU
If you are like most parents, you try to fit something into literally every minute of every day. For example, when the kids finally lay down for a nap or go to bed for the night you remember all those chores you never got to that day. Why not take that time to recharge as well? Take time for yourself. Whether it’s sitting down with a good book, watching an episode of a series you are streaming or simply enjoying the peace and quiet you so seldom experience, this is time you can spend for yourself.
2. Mindfulness and Spirituality
It has been proven in mindfulness training that the meditations you use will open pathways in the brain that can lead to a reduction in stress. This can be seen as the intersection of spirituality and psychology. Mindfulness doesn’t espouse any religious tradition, but it utilises the same centring techniques of Eastern mysticism. Then there are Christian traditions used for centuries to relieve stress by spending time in prayer. If you are Catholic, for instance, you could take out your rosary beads which are religious products that help you focus on the prayer at hand.
3. Find Ways to Have Fun – With and Without the Kids!
They say that laughter is the best medicine and there is every reason to believe that is true. In fact, world renowned Mayo Clinic in the United States finds a definite association between laughter and stress relief. One thing you will find is that the very same way in which having fun helps to relieve your stress, it will help kids stay calmer and less argumentative as well. If there is anything at all that is a catalyst for stress, it would be those heated battles of sibling rivalry. Fun may be the best way to mitigate that.
4. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help
Quite often you will hear parents say they are reluctant to ask for help because they don’t want anyone to think that they are in above their heads. If every parent felt that way, then perhaps they would be! However, everyone knows just how taxing parenting can be so don’t be afraid to ask grandma and grandpa to mind the kids once in a while. Do you think they’ve never walked in your shoes?
There is always something you can do to step away from stress, even if only for a few minutes at a time. Take a few deep breaths, count to 100 and you will see just how much better you feel. You deserve a break, so find a way to do that and watch as stress begins to dissolve.
