Sometimes, no matter how in control we are, everything can feel like too much. We spiral and the more we spiral the more difficult it is to find your centre, to find that person who felt in control. This is something I relate to. For me, the hardest part of being a full-time working mum is that the work never seems to end. There is rarely any me time.
I wake up at six am, get myself and my son ready for the day. We leave the house at seven, I start work at seven-thirty. From there there’s a full day of work. School pick up. My son’s hobbies and sports. Sometimes shopping. Preparing dinner. Inhaling said dinner. Trying to find time to exercise. Playing with my son before bath and bed time and then it’s back to work until it’s time for me to fall asleep.
Remember the days when if you wanted to do nothing after work you could? Sometimes that’s all you want, right? The ability to just do NOTHING. I think one of the most stressful parts of being a parent is that inability to choose nothing. Never has nothing seemed so out of reach.
When was the last time someone asked you what you’re doing with your day, to which you happily answered: Absolutely nothing! Yeah, I don’t remember either.
I’m not complaining about motherhood, most of the time the craziness suits me just fine, but every now and then… meltdown. It got me thinking there has to be a better way to consistently manage stress levels so I don’t have a regular gasket blowing moment where everyone in the house, including the cat, feels the need to avoid me.
So I did a little research and picked my top 5 stress hacks. Some of the seem very obvious, but how often do we really practice them?
Eat well. This is my top tip. Yet, a few paragraphs earlier I talk about inhaling my food. It’s true, but wellness begins in the gut and it’s something I do work on above all else. If we are well nourished our brains and bodies can function far better.
Limit alcohol. Unpopular, I know, but the glass of wine to help us feel better doesn’t actually make us feel better. Not on the regular anyway. Try to cut it back if possible.
Find time for hobbies. I’m going to go out on a limb and say this one is up there with food. “Me time” is paramount to our mental wellbeing. Prioritise you and you’ll be surprised how much easier the rest will feel.
Sleep well. This is something I struggle with. I am not great at meditation, however, I find Yoga really helps. We all know how important sleep it. Make sure you don’t have any blue light for at least an hour before bed.
Connect. Find time for your tribe. The encouraging people who love you and you feel peaceful around. Connect with them however and whenever you can. Our tribe fuels our vibe.
Essentially, all of these things are about me time. Something that requires time and effort. The exact two things that feel so out of our reach. But wait! Instead of writing them off as too hard, look at one of two you can try to action in small steps. Carve out time and get yourself a planner to log that time in advance. Baby-steps are better than no steps.
If it’s still too much like a fairytale to find time for you, look for a wellness coach who can help you find your balance. We all we need encouragement and support sometimes, you don’t have to do everything alone.
Disclaimer: It’s okay for your hobby to be “doing absolutely nothing”, if that’s what you need more than anything.
Sx