Being a mom can be exhausting at times, especially if you add working outside of the home into the mix. Trying to be a perfect mom and a perfect employee can be draining. The endless “to do” list is well, endless and can leave us feeling overwhelmed. The good news is, it doesn’t have to be this way! Below are some steps to take to decrease your everyday stress and increase your feeling of inner peace.
Tune-In Inwards
Check in with yourself. What’s going on inside? What are you feeling? What is stressing you out? What do you need? Start with taking three slow deep breaths when you start feeling overwhelmed.
Decrease your “To Do” List
What can you let go of? What is a “should” on your list, meaning, “I should get this done.” If a should is on your list, take it off! Should’s are often external expectations and can leave us moms feeling overwhelmed. Take 1-2 tasks off of your everyday list and feel good about it!
Ask for Help
You are not the only person living in your home. Let everyone play a role. Make a chore list for your children. Ask your partner to put away the laundry or do the dishes or both! Order a meal plan kit to help with dinner or ask your in-laws for help. If you have the means, hire a maid!
Decrease your Expectations
If you’re aiming for perfection, stop because there is no such thing. You will only burn yourself out. It’s ok if your kids don’t vacuum like you do. Just let the laundry sit for a few more days. Don’t worry. It won’t go anywhere ;). You have to be okay with letting some things just be.
Make Time for Yourself
Slow down. Trying to be there for everyone else can leave us moms little time for ourselves. We can’t give from an empty place. We need to make time for ourselves. Getting up 15-30 minutes before your kids do can be a sanity saver as it will allow you to use that time just for you. If you can’t do that, think of the things that bring you inner peace and find time throughout your day to fit these things in. Give yourself 15-30 minutes (or more if you can). You deserve it! Here are some examples of things you can do during your “me time”: take a hot bath, go to the gym, take a yoga class, go to dinner with a friend, read a good book, start journaling, learn to meditate, take a nap or go for a walk by yourself. Whatever you do, feel good about it. You deserve it!
Change your Mindset
Pay attention to your thoughts. They alone can be making you stressed. Take a mental check-in, daily, and keep track of and let go of any negative, critical or repetitive thoughts that could be making you feel stressed.
Say No
Learn to say no and be okay with it. Say no to extra projects. Say no to more activities. Say no to filling in for a meeting or staying late. Say no to putting more “to do’s” on your list.
Gratitude
Even though you may have a lot on your plate, at least you have a plate! Be grateful for all of your blessings and take a mental or written daily note of all of the good things in your life because when you are feeling overwhelmed, they can be easily missed.
Compassion
And last but not least, have compassion for yourself! You are doing your best. Don’t be so hard on yourself.
If you’ve done most of this and you still feel overwhelmed, talk to a mental health professional in your area for help. Make your mental health a priority. You don’t have to go through difficult times on your own. You can find me at www.wholeisticyou.com or reach me by email at hello@wholeisticyou.com