Contrary to what many people believe, being a stay-at-home mom is a full-time job, and like every full-time job, it can get very stressful at times. According to a survey, more than 60,000 stay-at-home moms reportedly feel more stressed, anxious, and sad than working moms.
Juggling many physical and emotional tasks can take a toll on you. As a mom, you must focus on creating time alone for yourself to focus on other activities and take a break from the daily stress of managing your home and family. It might seem selfish, but a happy mom makes for a happier home. Here’s how to find the perfect balance between motherhood and having some alone time.
Take a relaxing bath
This tip might sound basic, but taking a bath can be all you need when you are stressed. And besides, when was the last time you took a bath and were able to soak and relax? A relaxing bath is an excellent way of indulging right from the comfort of your home. To heighten the experience, you can turn your bathroom into a spa with candles, soothing music, and your favorite bath scrub. You can throw in a glass of wine or any drink you prefer to complete the experience. Think of it as an opportunity to unwind and relax your muscles. Plus, you will get to exfoliate and moisturize your skin, making you look and feel refreshed and beautiful.
If you want no interruptions, you can choose to have your bath time at night when your household has turned in for the night or during your special time alone. Ensure you put a “do not disturb” sticker on the door, and if you have kids, have a trusted family member or friend babysit them.
Try to shop online
If you enjoy shopping, you know that the experience is more enjoyable when you’re alone and not juggling shopping and kids. It’s very easy to forget items or make unnecessary purchases when you shop together. Plus, it adds to your stress. However, you make shopping less stressful by doing it online! Fortunately, several in-person retailers offer such services and make shopping much easier. Additionally, you can visit several stores in the comfort of your home and compare prices.
While there are tons of advantages to online shopping, it also has cons. Having your items delivered can take a while, and buying fresh produce can be a challenge. However, the biggest problem is that of security, as online shoppers tend to be much easier targets for hackers looking to steal credit card information. Therefore, it is vital to know how to shop online safely. Ensure you shop at secure sites and buy from credible online addresses. You should also record all transactions and keep an eye out for any unusual transactions.
Work with a planner
A large chunk of your stress may come from struggling to remember tasks and keeping up with everyone’s itineraries and activities. What you can do to make things more organized and seamless is by putting all tasks to paper. The first thing you have to do is dump all your activities on paper in no particular order. Next, sort them all out into a planner. Ensure you have a planner that comes in color-coded sections to help you separate tasks efficiently. It could include information on anything from meal plans to doctor’s appointments. Depending on your preference, you can choose to get a physical or digital planner. However, there’s something that makes writing tasks on paper stress-relieving.
Meet with friends regularly
You can make a plan, ideally once or twice a month, to meet with your close friends, whether it’s for lunch, getting manicures, or trying a new activity. It’s a great way to change your environment and socialize. Whatever plans you have, ensure that you commit to them and have a lot of fun away from your home. As your kids grow older, you can plan short out-of-town trips with your friends. For now, enjoy every moment and do things you are all passionate about.
There are so many tips to help you unwind and reduce the stress of being a stay-at-home mom. It doesn’t have to be a lot of time; even thirty minutes of unwinding can work wonders. It would help if you found ways to reconnect with yourself, and the more you learn how to make time for yourself, the more centered and at peace, you will become.
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