Eight Ways Mothers Can Reduce Stress

How often do young mothers ask themselves how they can possibly keep going? They are exhausted. Their stress level is through the roof. This increases when day or night the little ones interrupt any attempts at restful sleep. During the day there is an endless round of meals, cleaning--house and kids, interaction--play, reading to and with, etc, shopping, planning, budgeting, laundry, and the list goes on along with increasing stress.

This doesn't take into account time spent with hubby or even part-time work or volunteer activities. Young mothers are often chronically tired and extremely stressed, which sometimes leads to depression.

Spic and span houses and kids are prime stress producers for mother--and do little to create happy, stress-reduced (no such thing as stress-free) homes. Instead to lower that stress level, mothers need to keep in mind what is most important--time for faith, family, rest and play. How can mothers "redeem" some time and lower that stress level?

1. Cut down on laundry by wearing clothes more than once. Kids get dirty, and that's okay. Let kids, unless you need to have them presentable for a special occasion or person or unless they are soiled with discharges from either end, stay in the same set of clothes for the day. A little spilled juice doesn't hurt anything. Continually insisting kids change clothes raises anxiety and stress for mothers and children.

2. What young mother has time for the tons of dishes generated by family life? Want to lower the stress of constant dish washing? Buy paper plates in bulk to save time and water usage. This also keeps mothers from getting "stressed out" over possible broken dishes.

3. Prepare food that will last for two or more meals, and that need little attention after the initial preparation time. Pasta is a meal stretcher. A roast, potatoes and vegetables can be all put in a single pan and left to cook. Less time in the kitchen equals less stress, unless you are one of those mothers for whom cooking is a stress reliever. Those mothers are welcome to cook themselves to a lower stress level.

4. Another stress reducer is to cut down on outside activities. Kids don't need to be signed up for every activity going. What kids need are mothers who give them special time and attention. Parents, too, need to consider their slate of activities and decide what is most important--some activity or family. Balancing time reduces stress on the whole family.

5. When kids are small, neatness does not count. Every bed doesn't need to be made or every floor swept 20 times a day. Kids make messes. Mothers need to realize this is okay. It is better to keep sane, stress levels down and be more relaxed in the neatness department, than becoming totally wiped out and depressed with an immaculate house neither kids nor hubby will appreciate.

6. This is a very important stress reducer for mothers. If at all possible, plan a date night, away from the kids. Even if mothers do nothing more exciting than hold hands with hubby, talk and walk around the block, mothers still need that break from the kids.

7. Mothers, when you feel depressed and stress levels rise, turn on fun or soothing music. Get the little ones involved as you sing and dance. This will not only lift your spirit but also those of your kids.

8. Finally, prayer has been shown to reduce stress. It does make a difference. Prayer calms and soothes. Mothers pray for yourself and your family. Pray for extended family, friends, neighbors and the many situations that frustrate. Not only is this a real stress reducer, it also helps put problems in perspective.

Attitude does make a difference in whether you "survive" motherhood or come unglued with stress. Remember, there is nothing wrong with letting go rigid standards to just enjoy the journey called motherhood.