Children are sources of love and joy, and there is no other bond like the bond between a mother and a child. However, motherhood can also be stressful, especially for the stay-at-home mom. The daily grind of cooking, cleaning and raising children can become stressful for the stay-at-home mom and leave very little time for personal enjoyment or self-care. So, what can a mom do to combat the many stresses and demands of being a full-time stay-at-home mom?
Go Outside on a Sunny Day
For instant stress relief, step outside and enjoy the fresh air away from cleaners and detergents. Leave the housework, phone and to-do list inside. Relax, stretch and take in the sunshine, which is full of immune supporting vitamin D. Play a game with the kids outside and boost energy levels. Spending an hour outside daily will relieve mental and physical stress and provide a better attitude and mental clarity for time spent inside.
Take a Walk
Simply put one foot in front of the other to relieve stress. Take a walk around the neighborhood or dust off and plug in that treadmill and walk inside. Listen to favorite music to help pass the time while walking. A 30 minute walk not only has physical health benefits, but also provides stress, depression and anxiety relief. Walking daily also improves quality of sleep, a better mood and a different state of mind.
Read a Book
According to research, reading silently for only six minutes a day is enough to lower stress levels by more than two thirds. So, pick up a good book or an e-reader and step into a new literary world away from the stress of real life. Relaxing and escaping into a book will lower stress levels by 68 percent, while also relieving tension in the muscles and the heart.
Get a Massage
Long-term daily stress from motherhood can lead to an unhealthy build up of the stress hormone cortisol. A deep tissue massage will actually decrease levels of cortisol in the body and allow the body to relax and recover. Massage can trigger brain responses that result in long-lasting feelings of improved mood, relaxation and lower stress levels. Calm those nerves with a membership to a local spa for a once a week or every other week massage treatment therapy.
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