As I write this article, I am juggling so many balls that I want to duck my head, just waiting for one to drop! It seems for me there are times when things are running smoothly, kind of like on automatic and then other times when it takes a lot more of my energy to keep things running in this crazy household of mine! I’ve had a lot of practice dealing with stress and helping to keep it from driving me to the funny farm.
I try to let the little things go
This is really big for me and also very difficult, because I want to control everything and every situation – because I can do it better. I’ve had to let go of the things that really don’t matter so that I can devote my energy and focus on things that do. This is something I constantly ask The Lord to help me with – daily! Allowing myself to give things over to Him certainly takes the pressure off me, but we know how hard a habit that can be to change – but I am a work in progress and thank goodness He doesn’t give up!
I do a lot of deep breathing (with prayer!)
When you feel things getting out of hand and you don’t have a second to spare, that’s the time when you need to take a minute and stop. Just stop. Take a deep breath, stretch your arms up high in the arm and say a prayer. Breathe in and out. Then continue what you were doing, and you should find that it’s a little easier to deal with. I also change my environment. If I can change rooms or get outside it can be very helpful for me.
Get some help
When you just cannot do it all, find others that can help you. This is another area that is hard for me, it makes me feel like I am in one way or another weak or “not good enough”. All that perfectionism just haunting me! It goes back to the fact that I can do it best and I want it done my way. Realize that other ways will work just as well and let someone help you. This is extremely important when we allow our children to help around the house – it won’t be done just the way we would do it, but you know what, it will be off our list!
Exercise
This main component will decrease the stress from building in the first place. When I am not in a consistent routine of getting some type of physical activity my entire body feels and reacts differently. A lot of time I feel that me taking time for exercise is taking time away from my family, but it actually helps me be a much better mom and more emotionally healthy.
It is so important that we watch our stress and make sure that it doesn’t take over. Stress affects so many things in our bodies and controls how we interact with other people. Watch your stress levels and take care of yourself. Your body and your family will thank you.
How do you deal with stress?
