How can a stay-at-home mom handle stress?
It is a common misconception that stay-at-home parents have it easy at home, but the reality is contradictory. Being at home is challenging and frustrating. Lots of work to do, errands to run, to make life perfect for husband and children and, at the same time, be worthy in their eyes at the end of the day. The life of a stay-at-home mom is full of unexpected schedule changes. Three ways to reduce stress and unnecessary freaking out:
Plan: A stay at home mom’s life is about sticking to everyone else’s schedule. In such a case, it is imperative to plan meals 2-3 days in advance. This helps stock up on grocery items and early preparation if necessary. Planning and stocking up in advance is also very important because sudden problems arise anytime in the household with any member – unexpected appointments, tests, illness, or sudden guests. Planning ahead saves precious time and preserves sanity at the same time reflects on your efficiency. If you are efficient, that reduces most of the stress.
Take a break: For a stay-at-home mom, stress doesn’t come from working all day or tending to everyone’s needs, stress builds up from not taking ‘me time’. Respect yourself, make sure to disconnect from daily tasks for at least 1-2 hours a day. Everything else can wait. Take a class, a yoga session, a long walk, get a massage, read a book, read the news, stay up to date, or just sit quietly and meditate. Spending time on social media (Facebook, Instagram, etc.) leads to gossip and doesn’t allow for a complete mental break. Don’t get attached to soap operas, they are absolutely useless and they make you dull and boring. Instead, take a short hobby course online or learn something from the videos posted on YouTube. Set aside time for self-introspection. Separating yourself mentally and physically from daily tasks can be rejuvenating for a stay at home mom.
Set priorities – learn to say “NO.” There are times when there are unexpected and unwanted guests or demands from the family. It’s okay to say “No” when you feel like it’s difficult for you. It is important to be happy inside, only then can you meet everyone’s pressing schedules. People respect you if your priorities are set. Experience tells me that people overlook you if you allow them to be assertive, albeit in a subtle way.
There are two ways of doing things: a good and kind way and another is a rude and angry way. The way you choose to react reflects your character and builds your image. After all, it’s about keeping the peace within yourself, so don’t do things that you may regret at the end of the day. Be honest with yourself. It is very satisfying to see your family happy and comfortable, but don’t forget that you are the oil that keeps the family machine running, so take heart!