Eight Simple
Stressbusters for Moms
by
Susie Cortright
Among our most
critical responsibilities as mothers is the
responsibility to the self -- the responsibility
to recharge our resources so that we feel
balanced, energized and able to thrive under
life’s demands (and to model this healthy
approach to stress for our children).
Choose a life of less stress by identifying your
stress points. You can start by answering the
following eight questions in your personal
journal:
1. Whether you’re a WAHM, a SAHM, or a mom who
works outside the home, why did you make that
lifestyle choice? Write down all the reasons,
both personal and professional.
Such a list is an excellent tool for positive
affirmation, particularly on those days when the
sacrifices you’ve made stare you squarely in the
face. If you discover that the choice you’ve
made isn’t the right one, outline the changes
you need to make.
2. What are your priorities? How important is
your spirituality, your family, your
professional identity? Consider this ranking
when you’re called to make choices and
compromises.
When have you put your identity, your plans, and
your self-nurturing on hold while you took care
of someone else?
3. If you had 15 to 30 minutes each day for
yourself, how would you spend it? Schedule time
for yourself. Mark it in your day planner or on
the family calendar.
4. How much of your stress level is the effect
of over-dramatization? Remind yourself that the
level of stress you experience is directly
related to the way you internalize it and the
importance you place on your own dramatization.
5. Do nutrition and exercise contribute to your
stress or help you manage it? If you aren’t
sure, keep an energy diary to help you determine
the hidden factors in your lifestyle that may be
robbing you of energy. Make a plan to change or
eliminate those influences.
Log the times each day when you feel beat or
burned out. For me, it’s 3 pm -- about the time
I want to hit the cookie jar. Try to schedule
your workout (not a great big snack) for the
time of day when you need an energy boost.
6. How easy is it for you to say "no"? Respect
yourself and your time enough to delegate tasks
and refuse to take on more than you can handle.
7. Are you multi-tasking yourself into more
stress? When we try to do too much at once, we
are raising, not lowering, our stress level.
Multi-task only when you can realistically
fulfill all tasks adequately. It’s hard to tune
into your kids while you catch up on your own
reading, for example, and you can’t take time
out for yourself while simultaneously devoting
the time to anyone else. Decide which tasks
deserve your full attention. Then give it.
8. Do you have the support network you need?
Conduct a search at http://groups.yahoo.com or
http://www.topica.com for an online group that
shares your hobbies, interests, or lifestyle.
This article is
excerpted from
More Energy for Moms, an interactive
mind-body-spirit fitness program, designed
exclusively for moms.
Its creator, Susie Michelle Cortright, is the
author of several books for moms and founder of
the award-winning website Momscape.com
