Relaxation Tips for Stressed-Out Moms
Are you a stressed mom that needs to relax? Do you feel that some days just start with chaos and they never slow down?
Would you love to just take a mommy time-out for a few minutes to catch your breath?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you are not a bad mama. You are normal. Even when we look at our friends that seem to have it all together, they probably have days just like you when they feel stressed and overwhelmed. I admit some days are very stressful and I feel I just need a short break. These relaxation tips will help you find a little time in your day to reduce stress and anxiety.
The typical day in the life of a mom can be filled with stress and downright exhausting. Some days you just feel like it’s all too much. So many things to do … maybe you feel like you just need a mommy time-out.
If we are truthful, we (moms) all feel overwhelmed by many of the activities and responsibilities we have each day. When the days get long, you probably have feelings of frustration that you never have time to do any of the things you love and enjoy because you place your family and their needs first.
You don’t have to live every day feeling like an overworked and stressed-out mom. It’s okay for moms to take time to relax and enjoy a little self-care, too. From one stressed mom to another stressed mom, I’m giving you permission to give yourself a little break and start some relaxation activities every day.
What is relaxation?
Relaxation is the process of calming your mind and releasing tension in your muscles and body. Relaxation can be accomplished in many ways including meditation, deep breathing, enjoyable activities, and exercise.
One of the best ways to relax is to just stop and take a few deep breaths. As you breathe in deeply, try to clear your mind. Close your eyes and be still. If you can do this for just a few minutes, you should feel your body relax, your blood pressure drop, and be calmer.
Why Moms Need to Relax
You may be thinking I cannot take time to relax every day, my schedule is too busy. Or the classic mom excuse, it would be selfish of me to take time for myself every day.
Before you dismiss your need for self-care and relaxation, recognize that an overstressed and tired mom will not accomplish as much as a calm and relaxed mom.
Consider these benefits of relaxation for moms:
- Less stress. With even a short period of rest, you will feel rejuvenated and ready to tackle more throughout your day.
- You will reduce anxiety. We pack so much into our day (just look at your calendar and all the tasks you are planning to complete). A few minutes of relaxation each day will help you feel less anxious.
- You will have more patience. Being a mom means having children with constant needs. Sometimes even the simplest request like for a glass of water or milk will just be too much. By taking time for yourself and you will see your patience increase.
Don’t use excuses to miss the benefits of self-care which include stress reduction, less anxiety, and more patience.
How to relax your mind from stress
Hopefully, I have convinced you that you need time for relaxation and self-care. But, I understand your schedule is already so full, how will you find the time to relax your mind and reduce stress?
First, commit to blocking time in your calendar every day with 15-30 minutes for just you. Self-care and relaxation don’t have to be a long time, it just needs to be a time when you can do something you enjoy or love that gives you rest and allows you to rejuvenate.
Your time might be early in the morning before your family is awake, or maybe it will be in the evening when your family has gone to bed. Or maybe you need a mid-day rest. Choose the time of day for your relaxing activities that will help you feel your best.
Second, once you have selected your time, protect it. Just like taking your children to school or going to work at a set time is required, block time in your calendar for relaxing activities and self-care every day. Don’t give “your” time away and don’t let others take “your” time away.
You might also enjoy: 10 Ways Moms Can Relax and Just Breathe
Relaxation tips to reduce stress
I am so glad you have committed to giving yourself relaxation and that you have set a specific time every day for rest. You ask, what are some ways to relax at home? The simple answer is to do something you enjoy.
What are your favorite things to do when you have quiet time and rest of 15-30 minutes? Here are a few relaxing hobbies and activities to get you started:
- Read your favorite book
- Take a relaxing bubble bath
- Enjoy your coffee early in the morning without being rushed before your day starts
- Write in your journal/write a gratitude journal
- Lay down on your bed for an actual rest (take a short nap or just be quiet)
- Sit on your porch or somewhere quiet with no talking
- Spend time in prayer or reading your Bible
- Take a short walk
- Enjoy a sunrise or sunset
- Paint (pottery or a canvas)
- Make crafts
- Crochet or knit
- Scrapbooking
- Hobbies
- Exercise
You can try different relaxation activities and relaxation hobbies you enjoy on different days during your rest time.
Recommended for you: Pressing Pause: 100 Quiet Moments for Moms to Meet With Jesus
By adding daily relaxation techniques into your routine, you don’t have to be a tired and overwhelmed mom anymore. Recognize and decide why you need to relax, plan and set aside time for relaxation and self-care to give you an extra boost each day. Choose your favorite relaxation activity and spend time resting and relaxing each day and you should reduce your stress and anxiety.
How to Relax with Anxiety
It’s not uncommon to feel stress and anxiety together. Daily writing in a journal can help you relax and reduce stress. Journaling gives you a healthy way to write your thoughts and feelings. I personally find that journaling helps me release negative and frustrating feelings.
Start a daily journaling habit with one of these journals:
This self-care journal gives you daily journaling prompts to help you think about and recognize how you can take better care of yourself.
This self-care journal includes prompts and blank pages for you to create your own prompts.
Daily gratitude is another way to reduce stress and anxiety. As you write about what you are grateful for, it helps you feel less stress. It’s hard to be stressed and anxious when you start to see how much you can be thankful for.
This gratitude journal bundle will help you establish a daily gratitude habit.
Mom’s Memory Journal is a one-line-a-day journal that allows you to write one positive thing you learned each day, an inspiring quote or a great memory. You can also write a favorite Bible verse or verse that encourages you each day.
Feeling stressed out may be a part of life, but these relaxation tips help you reduce stress and feel calmer each day.
How will you start reducing stress and anxiety today?
PIN IT FOR LATER:
It really is important to have some time each day for self-care. I wish I had done it more when my kids were small. Your ideas are great, although the relaxing bubble bath might have to wait until Dad is home to watch the kids. 🙂 Thanks for linkup up with #LMMLinkup!
Love it!! Sometimes just unplugging is an awesome rest for me. Most especially true for bloggers. Hugging fest does wonders for me and as well as bible journaling. Thank you for sharing this over at #bloggerspotlight link party! I will be featuring you for tonight’s party! Hope to see you again…
Hi Cristina, all your suggestions are great ideas. I love the hugfest! Getting hugs from our kids is always a great pick me up for moms.
So very practical. Wise advice! Thanks for sharing! #LLMLinkup
I think the big thing we mothers need to do is MAKE time for ourselves rather than hope there will be some time left. We can prioritise all sorts of other things, surely we can prioritise ourselves for only 15-30 mins per day? I realise it’s difficult, I have struggled with this too. One of my favourite things is to read a book in the bath. Such bliss! I have some ideas on my blog which might also help mums to free up that small amount of time for themselves. http://www.lifewrangling.com/overwhelmed-mothers/
You always hope we can make time out for ourselves don’t we? I do hope that more women try these ideas if they get the chance.
Denyse, yes, it’s hard for moms to make time out for ourselves, so we have to commit to having a few minutes of rest each day, just as we expect our kids to have rest.