A Mom’s Most Strategies in the Battle Against Stress

It’s okay to admit it… all parents get prone to stress. After all, motherhood is the one job from which you can never punch out. It’s always on your mind, even if you’re generally great about compartmentalizing your thoughts. To have a child is to live in a near-constant state of worry and self-doubt. To fear that your best is never enough and to second guess every decision you make. To always have something to worry about. As much as you love motherhood (and your little one, of course), it can seem as though there’s no release valve for all the stress that comes with parenthood. 

But it’s important to remember that, even when you’re by yourself, you’re not alone. You are armed with a series of weapons which can help you to win the battle against stress.

The power of plants

Seriously, there are so many ways in which plants can help to relieve stress. Plants are rich in antioxidants and chemical compounds that have a naturally calming effect when we eat or drink them. Swapping out your caffeine fuelled iced coffee for a calming iced matcha latte, for instance, can be a great way to unwind. 

There are many, many stress relieving foods in the plant kingdom including cocoa, turmeric, pumpkin seeds and walnuts to name but a few. Even the very presence of plants in your home can help make your life calmer and less stressful. They oxygenate your living space, breathe in carbon dioxide and lend a calming presence to whichever room you put them in. Here are some of the best house plants for natural stress relief. 

Consider sitting down with a cup of chamomile tea in the evening, and enjoy a good book, a puzzle, or some good television.  There are many great benefits of chamomile tea, and it is easy to incorporate it into your daily routine.

Your pets

When your babies are stressing you out, you can often turn to your fur babies for solace. You likely don’t need this blog to remind you of the stress relieving effect that spending time with your furry and feathered friends can have. Animals have a naturally calming presence as well as providing the same unconditional love that we get from our kids. A little pet therapy can go a long way when life starts to get you down. Walking them, talking them or simply snuggling up with them can help all your troubles to just drift away. 

Cuddles

Never underestimate the power of hugs to relieve stress. Whether you’re getting them from your kids, your partner, your own Mom or your best friend, cuddles are scientifically proven to help us feel good and manage stress. No, really! Whenever we hug, touch, or sit close to someone else our bodies release a chemical called Oxytocin which scientists sometimes call the “cuddle hormone”. When its levels rise we feel happier and our stress ebbs away. 

Your support network

Moms can… kinda be micromanagers! It’s easy to feel as though you need to navigate the perils and pitfalls of motherhood alone… but nothing could be further from the truth. You always have your co-parent (even if you’re no longer together) your friends and your family. If you ever feel alone, pick up the phone even if it’s just because you need a shoulder to cry on.