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7 Stress Reduction Tips for Parents

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For some parents, managing stress can be a real challenge. As your kids get older and are involved in more things, it may seem like stress keeps adding to your life. Plus, if you have a demanding schedule or job, then that might be on your mind daily as well.

When you’re able to manage stressful times and the pressures of life, you can better relax and enjoy your time as a parent. Remaining calm and collected and energized helps anyone get through the day.

Stress is something that’s part of everyone’s life. Although it’s difficult to avoid stress at all costs, there are ways you can manage it. Here are seven stress reduction tips for parents so you can start living a life with a little bit less worry.

1. Practice Meditation

Do you ever wonder why so many people meditate? It seems like a simple practice, but it does wonders for relieving stress. When you meditate, you clear your mind of all thoughts, which helps put people at ease.

Find a local meditation group or look for meditation tips online. Following a guided meditation can help you feel less stressed, and it gives you a clearer mind so you can better plan your days and manage every part of your life. Try meditating in the morning to set yourself up for a relaxing day!

2. Write Out Your Schedule and To-Dos

With everything going on in your schedule, you might forget to run an errand or complete a task on your to-do list. During the day, whether you’re at work or home with the kids, write down your schedule and thoughts.

This helps you stay organized and enables you to remember what you need to get done. Sometimes, stress builds up because you might miss an appointment or one of your kids’ practices. Staying on top of your schedule and planning activities in advance will reduce stress.

3. Ask for Help When You Need It

For some reason, people find it difficult to ask for help. There’s a reason why humans aren’t superheroes, so release those expectations you have for yourself and be open to asking for help. You should have a support system in place of friends or family members, and they’d be willing to do anything to relieve a little stress in your life.

Whether you need a day with your spouse or some time to yourself, choose a weekend to have someone watch the kids. Throughout the week, you could even have friends help with a meal night in really stressful situations.

4. Choose Fun Family Activities

Stress affects your whole family, including your kids. Pick a day of the week or a weekend to have a fun family outing. Leave phones off and just connect with your family! Choose activities that you, your partner and your kids will love.

This doesn’t mean that you have to travel to a museum or theme park every week. These activities can be as simple as reading a book with your kids, teaching them how to cook or even helping coach one of their sports teams.

5. Keep Your Health Up to Par

When you’re sick or have a severe medical condition you’re dealing with, your life can be more stressful. Do what you can to keep sickness at bay, such as washing your hands, exercising regularly and resting when you feel under the weather.

Regularly visiting your doctor and dentist aids in keeping stress at bay. These medical professionals can give you tips to stay healthy and can help predict potential diseases. When you’re stressed, it’s easy to forget things like brushing your teeth daily or taking vitamins, but doing these things will only worsen your stress in the long run.

6. Get Enough Sleep

Did you know that one in three adults doesn’t get enough sleep every night? To properly function, adults need an average of about seven consecutive hours of sleep every day. Without enough sleep, you’re at an increased risk of diseases and, of course, stress.

Without enough energy, it’s challenging to fight the stressors of life. Try getting to bed at a decent hour every night, and get into a routine with your sleeping schedule. Use relaxation techniques rather than sleeping pills or alcohol to fall asleep.

7. Eat Healthy Foods

Proper nutrition is a must if you want to live a less stressful life. Proper nutrition is essential for your overall health, both physically and mentally. Limit your intake of fast foods and highly processed foods, which can cause you more stress.

People tend to load up on sugary treats and unhealthy foods when stressed. Instead of heading for that bag of chips, get some vegetables and dip or a piece of fruit. Unhealthy snacks may give you a high, but they don’t lead to long-lasting help with your stress. Increase your intake of fruits and vegetables, low-fat proteins and whole grains.

Stress Less, Relax More

With these tips, you’ll be able to stress less! To get rid of the stressors in your life, you have to accept them and identify them. Then, you can slowly work on removing the stress through these suggestions. If you feel highly stressed or overwhelmed, the best advice is to seek medical help through a therapist.

Jeff Campbell