Great Ways for Mums to De-Stress

Mums are regarded as superheroes in our society and rightly so because they have the strength to do so much. But like all superheroes, they also go through rough patches and being stressed is one of them. When stress hormones flood in the body, it may potentially cause a myriad of health problems. As a matter of fact, stress has been found to be a major source or trigger for a variety of health conditions such as digestive problems, headaches, hypertension, and depression, just to name a few. It’s also known to make pre-existing conditions like insomnia and asthma worse. 

So how can our superheroes fight stress? Below are great ways for mums to de-stress.

Identify the Source of Stress

One of the best ways to start fighting stress is to, first of all, find out what exactly is the cause. Once you identify the major stressors or stress triggers, it becomes easier to combat it and prevent it from getting worse. Since mums do a lot in their day to day living, many things can be potential sources of stress for a mom, from violent spouses to stubborn children, issues at work, relatives, neighbors, church and even her favorite brand of shampoo being out of stock. You can look at it as getting to the root of the problem. Avoiding stress triggers is a great first step in dealing with stress.

Try Essential Oils

Essential oils such as canola, ginger, eucalyptus, rosemary, lavender, and sandalwood, just to name a few, can have numerous benefits to your health. Some of them are used for pain relief, others in treating insomnia, and others to provide stress relief by taking advantage of the sense of smell. According to Dr. Christoph Streicher, a renowned aromatherapy specialist from Amrita says that some of the most effective essential oils in stress relief includes Lavender, Roman Chamomile, Myrrh, Neroli, and Ylang Ylang Essential Oil. These oils can be applied topically on areas such as the chest and the neck or used in an aromatic bath to provide relief from stress and anxiety. However, for safety reasons, it is important to consult an experienced medical provider or Aromatherapist before trying any essential oils for stress relief.

Check Your Diet

Our moods are affected by what we eat. Eating sweet and sugary foods may give you a great boost in the short term, but will make you feel worse than before when the boost wears off. Mums must eat a balanced diet so their moods don’t fluctuate too much. Having a stable mood is a great way to deal with stress, and when it comes to diet, adding potassium-rich foods such as potatoes and bananas will go a long way in relieving stress levels among our beloved mums. Try including foods such as salmon, oatmeal, yogurt, blueberries, and chocolate in your diet for a good dose of stress relief.

Breathing Exercises

During stressful situations, one great way for mums to cope with stress is by doing some breathing exercises. This will help them to relax their bodies and reduce the tension that was building up in their bodies. An added advantage of doing breathing exercises is that it also helps lower their blood pressure if it was getting high. Relaxing their bodies will also trigger the release of endorphins that will give them a feel-good feeling. As a matter of fact, yoga and other exercises are also a plus when it comes to stress relief. 

Take a Walk or Change Your Environment

Going out or changing your environment will expose you to different variables and events, which may help keep your mind away from their previous stressful conditions. Visiting friends, relatives or even having a staycation for a night can help combat stress. When you feel it’s too much to handle, just go out in nature, breathe fresh air, and relax your nerves. Taking a walk can also help clear your mind, relieve tension, and calm your nerves. Walking in parks or green spaces stimulates the release of endorphins in your brain to relieve stress… plus it’s also a great way to keep fit and meet new people.

Reduce Screen Time

With the advancement in modern technology, coupled with the explosive growth of social media, a lot of mums are now spending more time on their devices than ever before. This, as studies have shown, has led to increased stress levels among them. Apart from stress, too much screen time has also been associated with insomnia, depression, and brain damage. Taking regular breaks in between working with screens and also ensuring you’re offline for at least one hour before sleep can greatly help reduce stress levels.

More Kisses, Please

According to Laura Berman Ph.D., her research found that couples that only kissed during sexual intercourse were eight times more likely to be stressed than those who regularly smooched. So for our mums to reduce stress, they should kiss their partners more often as this stimulates the release of endorphins that are great stress relievers.

Soothing Music

Music is a great way to de-stress, as it is able to affect your mood almost instantly. Soothing music may help relieve tension and take your mommy mind off your stressful life to a happier place.

Watch Funny Videos

While spending too much time on screens is not great, that is not to say that they can’t be used for stress relief. Funny videos are a great way to cure stress as they make you laugh, thus easing mental tension and stimulating the release of the feel-good hormones

While mums are naturally strong, even they are vulnerable to stress. Being a mom is a calling and a way of life. With the above few tips, however, it becomes easier for you to manage the intense stress associated with being a mom.