You are a busy mom, so a stress buster like scrapbooking is not going to cut it for you. First, you do not have the time, second, where are you going to set up your scrapbooking stuff where your kid can’t get to it? Here are some stress busters that will work for you, no matter how busy you are:
Music theme song: Ok, so this may sound sort of cheesy, and you are not a super hero who has a song that plays in the background whenever you come to save the day. However, music can be very soothing, and has been shown to be a great way to reduce stress, especially if it is a song that gets you moving and brings a smile to your face. So, what you need to do is find a song that really speaks to you, that might be something melodious, or it might be hard rock, either way if it gets at your soul, and speaks to you, make it your theme song. Burn a CD of it, even if you burn the same song onto 12 tracks. Then when you are feeling stressed, turn it on. Theme songs are a wonderful way to eliminate stress. Sing it out at the top of your lungs, and watch the tensions melt away.
A no work day: Most busy moms scoff at this idea, and think, “How could I ever manage a no work day?” The answer is simple. You are going to work just as hard as you normally do on other days, then watch how much more effective you are because you have a day off. Choose one day a week and dedicate it to fun. This is the day where you reap the rewards of being a mom. This is the day you take your kids to the park, or lay in the pool, or just sit around the house in your pajamas eating popcorn and watching movies. Your kids will love it. You will make memories with them. You will get to enjoy their laughs and smiles instead of worrying about all the stuff you need to get done. This is going to bust the stress because this one day dedicated to no work is going to help you recharge for the rest of the week and help you go at your seemingly insurmountable tasks with a renewed energy. No work on one day a week equals less stress. Try it!
Rest and relaxation: The magic of rest and relaxation is only really felt if you actually do it. So, you are busy, but that does not mean there are not a few times each day that you can’t take time for yourself. If you want to bust stress and be more productive, then start with taking some time out to rest. When your child goes down for their two hour nap, sit down yourself for fifteen minutes, have a nice drink of water, kick your feet up on the coffee table, and flip through a magazine. Once you take a break, you can go back at the hard work and endless to-do list with a force.
Vent: Do you have a best friend you can call any time? If not, get one. One of the best ways for busy moms to reduce stress is to let it out verbally. So, put your best girl friend in your fave five, or make sure you have the same network, or whatever it is, and then call her just to vent anytime you need to. This is really easy for busy moms because we have cell phones, so you can stick your hands-free in, and talk while you shop, while you fold laundry, while you drive, or whatever. Get the frustrations and stress off your chest, and then you are good to go for the rest of the day.
Parenting viewpoints from parents in the trenches, because parenting doesn’t come with a manual. In addition to