There’s no way to get around the fact that stress and motherhood go hand in hand. So much is required of you daily to ensure your children’s safety, happiness, and well-being. Though the love for your children keeps you going, there are times when things get out of control. Life seems to pile things up on you to the point you feel emotionally and physically drained. You know that continuing to live this way is harmful, but reducing your stress levels is easier said than done.
Identifying Stressors
Eating a nutritious diet, exercising regularly, and getting adequate sleep are effective ways to reduce any stress you might be experiencing. However, these solutions won’t work if you haven’t identified and remedied the core cause of your stress. For example, if you’re overwhelmed by your finances but do nothing to fix it, no amount of exercise, dieting, or rest will help resolve your problem. Every time a new expense pops up or a financial emergency arises, you’ll find yourself right back in that unhealthy place.
So, how do you pinpoint the sources of your stress? You evaluate each area of your life to discern what causes the greatest overwhelm. As several factors could be stressing you out, here are some common ones to consider.
Familial Responsibilities
One of the most significant stressors for moms is the many responsibilities of taking care of a household. Children have a lot of needs. On top of that, you have obligations to your spouse, and whomever else might live in your home. You’re only one person, and with only 24 hours in a day, getting to everything seems impossible.
If you’re feeling inundated with the responsibilities of being a mother, there are some things you can do to reduce the stress. Start by identifying stressful times of day for you. Perhaps your mornings are overwhelming, trying to get yourself and the kids out the door for school and work. Maybe the evenings are worse when you’re trying to prepare dinner, check homework, and get the kids ready for bed.
Once you’ve identified the triggers, you can devise a plan to reduce them. Creating routines and giving your kids, partner, family, or friends responsibilities would ease the tension.
Lack of Self-Care
When you’re always taking care of the needs of others, your needs take a back seat. You skip meals because you’re in a hurry or want to make sure the kids have enough food. You take 5-minute showers, throw on whatever isn’t dirty, and put your hair in a ponytail or messy bun because there’s no time for anything else. Your passions, pastimes, and friendships have all but dwindled as you sacrifice for the happiness and well-being of your family.
As you might imagine, failing to take care of yourself adversely impacts your health. That’s why you must take the time for self-care. There are things you can do to prioritize your needs. You can wake up an hour earlier to incorporate exercise, showering, skincare, and beauty routines. You can take multivitamins and stress tablets with CBD every morning. You can also meet up with your girlfriends or indulge in a talent or passion a few times a month.
Financial Problems
Every mother wants to ensure that her kids are well provided for, but the financial obligations are plentiful. From the mortgage and utilities to groceries and clothes, there’s a lot to cover. Whether you’re doing it alone or with the support of a partner, financial problems can get out of hand quickly.
If money matters are stressing you out, it’s time to create a plan. Start by evaluating your income, verse your expenses. If your monthly costs are higher than your income, there are some adjustments you can make. Start by eliminating unnecessary spending, then develop a reasonable budget you can follow; lastly, create a debt repayment and savings plan to secure your future.
It doesn’t take long to realize how stressful motherhood is. Though you’d bear the weight of the world to ensure your kids have a great life, taking on too much will make this harder to accomplish. You may not be able to eliminate stress from your life forever, but you can make changes to improve your emotional and physical well-being. Start by identifying the core cause of your frustration, then take steps like those listed above to provide peace of mind.