Raising a family is a beautiful journey, but it’s not a walk in the park. Every person has bad days, and at times, it seems like there’s no end to the stress you experience on the daily.
When stress builds up, it could lead to anger, irritability, resentment, and even depression. Feelings of helplessness can also lead you to stop trying to solve problems, which make the problems worse, and make you feel worse as well.
Do What Makes You Happy
There are many things you can do to help relieve yourself of stress and replace it with peace. One is to remember the things you love to do, and make time for it.
Do you love going on movie dates with your husband? Do you love going to the salon? Do you love playing with your children? List down the things you love doing, and make them a part of your everyday life. Filling your life in with these experiences is a step away from constantly feeling stressed.
Recognize Your Reality
Acknowledge the things that stop you from feeling at peace. Being aware of the things that bother you is the first step to dealing with them.
You may not be able to throw away your troubles all at once, but gradually, you could take steps in solving them. Remove all stresses that you cannot change and start from there.
For example, you worry about a super typhoon might destroy your home. While you could think of moving to another place to ease your worry, it might be best to park that thought and let it go.
Decide which of your stressors you cannot change, and think about them. Sit with them for a minute or two, and begin to release them from your mind. Then, stop thinking about them.
Think Happy Thoughts
The mind is powerful. While it’s easy to wish not to have any intrusive thoughts, it’s impossible for that to happen. What you can do instead is to do some emotional gardening. Replace bad thoughts with pleasant ones that make you happy. When you pull the bad weeds out of your garden, you cultivate good, healthy plants. It’s the same with your thoughts.
Treat Yourself
Not everyone has the liberty to pack their bags and head on vacation, especially as a parent. However, treating yourself once in a while is essential to keep your peace while parenting.
Treating yourself could be as simple as stepping away for a couple of minutes. When the screams get louder and you, too, want to scream, find a place where you can be alone and lie down. Then, close your eyes and imagine your dream destination. Breathe deeply and slowly, enjoying the short mental vacation you are in. When you are feeling better, open your eyes.
Regularly fit relaxation into your schedule. Keep yourself physically fit by exercising, whether it be through going to the gym or getting your steps in while running errands at the mall. Involve your partner in your parenting journey and take turns so you have times to take breaks and take care of yourselves.
Wanting to take a break and prioritizing your mental health is not selfish — it’s essential. Taking care of yourself is the first step in living a better life and being a better, more mindful parent to your children. You got this, mama!
