Stress Busters!
To say that being a wife and mother is stressful is an understatement. Add on top of that the unique stresses that military families face and it is very easy to go into stress overload.
The majority of us do not have a surplus of hours in our day to unwind and relax. On those busy peace-busting days there are a few things you can do to help yourself unwind a little.
1. Stand up straight! Managing a hectic and stressful lifestyle can cause us to slump. Standing straight and tall takes awareness and energy that is often shifted to other things. Stop a moment, roll your shoulders back, become aware of your posture and open your shoulders and chest. This step will help you with the next tip.
2. Take a drink of air! When our bodies are stressed we tend to breathe shallower. Stop what you are doing for a moment. Take a deep breath through your nose and expand your lower belly as you do this. Breathe in as deeply and as slowly as possible. Now, exhale more quickly and loudly. Repeat this several times. Be careful not to hyperventilate by breathing too quickly inward and outward. Take your time.
3. Engage your children in a comedy break! Kids love to tell jokes to their parents. Laughter is a great stress buster. Even if the punch line isn’t too funny for an adult just watching your child tell the joke and laugh will be enough to lighten your own mood.
4. Enjoy a whiff of your favorite scent. Whether it is perfume, body spray, fruit or essential oils most of us tend to have a scent that we love to smell. Citrus scents are wonderful in the summer time to revitalize and rejuvenate us. Cinnamon and spice scents in the fall and winter remind us of the holidays.
5. This next tip plays off of the last one. Take a soft hand towel, wet it down in clean water with just a few drops of your favorite scent, and wring out. Place in a microwave for 2 minutes, test to ensure it’s comfortably warm but not too hot. Place on the back of your neck to help ease away tension. Repeat if necessary.
6. If you have loose ends that are nagging you to be done (phone calls to return, checks to write, etc.), take one minute and do just one. It does not have to be the highest one on the priority list. Sometimes it takes tackling the quickest ones first before we feel the motivation to take on the bigger chores. One finished loose end can make a huge difference in your stress level.
7. Do you have a favorite scene in your favorite movie? Take a 10-minute movie break! Forward to your favorite spot in the movie, sit down with a nice cold drink, watch a 10-minute segment at your favorite part, and laugh, cry or feel what emotion it evokes.
January 7th, 2009 at 3:15 pm
So, what do you do when you are stressed? Any special tips or tricks you use to let the burden go for a while?
January 7th, 2009 at 4:10 pm
Clarie,
You just got this stuff DOWN Girl! LOL
January 7th, 2009 at 5:30 pm
Well, I have four kids ages 23-4 and my life is insane!
If I didn’t breathe I would scream — well, wait, I guess I would have to breathe in order to scream!
January 7th, 2009 at 5:46 pm
Hi Claire,
I usually take a long hot shower at the end of the day. I did not really know, but I was doing some of the things you have listed. My 8 yo loves to make up jokes and tell them to me. He also has a knack of knowing when Mom needs a good laugh. I also like to light candles in vanilla or lavender scent in my bedroom while I am in the shower. It helps to set the mood to relax and enjoy a good book or just some sleep.
January 8th, 2009 at 7:00 am
Reasa, that doesn’t surprise me at all! I think that you have a very cool family. Every family has their stresses, but you seem very determined to keep your household running above water when times are tough. That says a lot!
I love using scented candles. That’s a great idea too –especially lavender and vanilla.
January 8th, 2009 at 10:27 pm
I forgot to add we have hissy fits when one oof us is stressed. These are only allowed during deployments. We all gather together in the house and stomp our feet and scream. It is a great way to relieve stress. Plus it lets the kiddos have a fit that is Mom approved.
January 10th, 2009 at 8:20 am
I LOVE that Reasa! Seriously. That is totally awesome. I had a foster parent who was caring for a child on my caseload in mental health. The child had been through a lot, so this mom would buy a ton of eggs and they would go out back and throw them at trees. It sounds funny, but it teaches kids boundaries. It teaches them how to let out intense feelings in controlled ways.
May 14th, 2009 at 6:12 am
[...] Visit our archives HERE and find a list of 7 quick stress busters. [...]
June 15th, 2009 at 9:02 am
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August 10th, 2009 at 7:25 pm
I HAVE A SON IN THE MARINE CORP AND I JUST MISS HIM SO MUCH. I AM TRYING TO ADJUST TO HIM NOT BEING HOME. I HAVENT SEEN HIM IN A YEAR AND A HALF AND HAVENT TALKED TO HIM IN A LONG TIME. I KNOW ITS GONNA TAKE TIME I AM JUST HAVING A HARD TIME WITH IT. PEOPLE TELL ME IT TAKES TIME BUT HOW MUCH TIME.
August 10th, 2009 at 7:28 pm
STRESS IS SOMETHING I AM TRYING TO DEAL WITH. I KNOW I WILL LEARN.
August 10th, 2009 at 8:48 pm
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