Stress management 🥹

Hello, wonderful mom! Balancing working and being a mom at the same time is no joke. You feel like dividing yourself into several places at one time, which can lead to anxiety and ultimately stress. Managing stress effectively is important to maintain a healthy work-life balance. 

In this article, we will explore different ways in which you can manage stress effectively in practical and relatable ways. Let’s dive in!

Understanding Stress

First, let’s understand what the word “stress’ is. Stress is the body’s reaction to a threat or pressure. It also refers to the emotional, physical, and mental responses of the body to external demands. 

Stress triggers a variety of responses in our body in a bid to deal with the perceived threat, this phenomenon is known as a “fight or flight” response, which leads to the production of some hormones like adrenaline and cortisol.

While there are good sides to stress where it serves as motivation, too much stress can have physical, mental, and emotional effects. The common things that stress working moms are work overload, parenting responsibilities, and house chores.

The first step to managing stress is being able to recognize signs of stress like lack of concentration, fatigue, headaches, and irritability.

Prioritizing Self-Care

There will be good and bad days, it’s a fact of life. You need to have a strategy to deal with this. A strategy for doing this is to prioritize your self-care. Note that self-care is not a luxury, it is a necessity. 

Set aside “me time” every day, even if it is as small as 15 minutes; this time is for you and you only. Do something you like; it might be reading a book, taking a stroll, chatting with a friend, or enjoying a cup of tea. All you do at this time is sit back, relax, and enjoy the moment. 

Don’t forget to sleep well, eat good food, and sleep well. This will help you effectively manage stress. Don’t forget that you need to be at an optimal level to be able to give optimum value.

Time Management Strategies

Your ability to manage your time effectively will go a long way in your battle with stress. Start by having a consistent daily and weekly routine. Make a priority list and set realistic goals. Break your tasks into smaller, manageable chunks, and tackle one task at a time. This way, you are more productive. 

Use tools and apps like calendars and to-do lists to stay organized. This structured approach can help you feel more in control and less overwhelmed.

Delegating Responsibilities

Some people see asking for help as a sign of weakness, but nothing can be far from the truth. The ability to ask for help and delegate responsibilities is great for managing stress.

Involve family members with house chores; children can help too. You can hire help with tasks like babysitting and cleaning. In delegation, clear communication is essential; make it known in clear terms the way and how you want things to be done.

Delegating tasks gives you time to focus on the important things in your life and affords you time to relax, rest, and reload. 

Setting Boundaries 

Learning when and how to say NO is important in managing stress a working mom. Many working mom dont know how to set boundaries in their relationships, both in the workplace and at home. 

Anytime you feel overwhelmed, say no to additional tasks. Have dedicated work time and ensure you stick to it; this will enable you to create a clear demarcation between work and personal life. If you work remotely, create a dedicated workspace in your home and separate work from work. 

Setting boundaries helps you make good use of your time and energy, and it goes a long way toward managing stress.

Seeking Support

Like i said earlier seeking support is a sign of strength. Having a support system is important. Connect with fellow moms who understand wat you are going through. You can also join online support group where you can seek help and get advice from other people who are also in your shoes. 

You can talk to a professional, schedule regular visit with a therapist. Talking to someone who has can help preoffesionallycan be a game changer in your battle against stress.
Don’t forget that asking for help is normal, and it’s not weird.

Flexibility and Adaptability

As much as living a life of routine simplifies your life, don’t be hung up on it. Be flexibele and don’t be rigid. Give room fr unexpected events that mighthappen in your life as a working mom. For example, what happens when the babysitter can’t make it or the car breaks down, or the baby comes down with a cold.

Just make sure, you have room for the unexpected and adjust accordingly. Make sure to maintain a positive attitude, focus on the things you can control and be optimistic about life.
Being flexible and adaptable will help you go through the ups and down of life with less stress.

Incorporating Exercise 

In your quest of coping with stress, physical activities will go a long way because it is a great stress reliever.  Incorporate exercise in your daily routine, it could be a 10 minutes workout in your home, it could be cycling or going for a long walk during the cool of the day. 

You can also join a fitness group to keep the motivation and ensure you exercise on a consistent basis. Exercise boosts your mood and it increases the production of those stress fighting hormones – adrenaline and cortisol. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, managing stress as a working mom cn be a daunting task but it is not impossible!

By understanding what stress is and what causes stress is your first step in managing it, Dpn;t frgetto prioritize task, manage your time effectively, delegate responsibilities and set boundaries. 

Your job as a mom is enough to cause stress, talk less of adding a secular job to it, but hey! You are doing great. Don’t forget that asking for help is not a sign of weakness, be flexible give room for the unexpected and exercise on a consistent basis.

Rember taking care of yourself is the best way to take care of your family. You are doing well mom!