Taking the kids to school, getting ready for a Zoom meeting, meal planning for the week, scheduling doctor appointments, and worrying about your parents’ recent health scare or the unexpected car bill that isn’t in the budget. Most of us can relate to these small everyday things and also big things that can start to take a mental and emotional toll on us. Stress can happen to anyone and knowing how to handle it is important for your mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing.
April is National Stress Awareness Month.
While we shouldn’t just be focused on de-stressing in April, it’s a great time to remind ourselves to take some “me time” and ask for help when we need it to ensure we are happy and healthy.
Take time for yourself.
Taking just 10-20 minutes a day to have a few deep breaths, clear your head and relax your body can really help your overall mood. Even if you have to write it on your to-do list or create an event on your calendar to make sure it happens, do it. Write it down and take the time to have a few minutes to yourself. Every so often, take longer breaks to enjoy a cup of coffee (while it’s still warm), get a massage or read a few chapters of your book.
Ask for help.
Shuffling the kids around to activities, keeping up with house duties on top of work and other commitments can quickly feel like there aren’t enough hours in the day or enough of you around to get everything done. Remember, it really does take a village. Use your resources and ask for help. Alternate weeks of carpool to activities so you can get caught up on other things or take a few minutes for yourself. Delegate household chores to family members in your house (even if stuff doesn’t get done your way, it’s still getting done).
Take a deep breath and remember that stress affects so much more than even just yourself, as it can cause relationship problems and anxiety within the family, which children will pick up on. As the saying goes, “you can’t pour from an empty cup,” so make sure you acknowledge your stress and find healthy ways to cope and manage.
