Did you know that “in September, an eye-popping 865,000 women left the U.S. workforce — four times more than men” (Gogoi, NPR). Not all of these women left on their own, some were let go from their jobs, some quit, some shutdown and others are finding creative ways to work from home. Leaving the workforce can cause huge amounts of stress.
Stress is something that I know well, because in 2009 I quit my corporate job to work from home and raise my twins. I didn’t have a plan at the time, I just knew that I couldn’t juggle everything in the same way. For eleven years, I have learned how to increase my productivity and change my perspective. Remember, even if you have the tools to help you identify when you’re stressed, you may still need concrete ways to help you combat it. In this particular post I share how parents can actively combat stress so they can achieve their goals to be the best parent possible.
1. Pause.
Silence yourself, pause, and take 10 deep breaths from your diaphragm to still yourself so you are aware of your behavior. If you want to learn how to breathe deeply check out this Harvard article: Learning diaphragmatic breathing.
2. Identify what’s vexing you.
Are you aware of what your pain points are, so that you can isolate solutions for each problem. This is important because it helps you recognize the root cause of why you’re stressed.
3. Ask for assistance.
Seek external help and be specific about your needs. Ask for assistance from a therapist, a spouse, friend, family member, etc. Also ask yourself what can you delegate, what can you automate.
4. Find your calm.
What soothes you? Is it coloring, drawing, painting, cleaning, driving, dancing, cooking, etc. Think back over the years and pinpoint what relaxes you and try to do at least one think that calms your spirit daily.
5. Set boundaries
Do you know what are whom is throwing your balance off? Once you know set boundaries, and then pray for patience and guidance daily.
6. Reduce your load.
If stress has reached a breaking point in your life, stop and remove something from your plate. Then remember to delegate what you can when needed.
7. Exercise.
Physical activity can really help you reduce stress. Studies recommend that you should do at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week. Not only will exercise help you reduce stress, but it will also help you stay healthy too.
8 Laugh.
Watching a comedy or laughing at a joke can take you to a new place. Laughing releases endorphins that will boost your mood.
9. Affirm yourself.
Sometimes it is our personal feelings of inadequacy that put us in a negative mental space. Combat those negative feelings by replacing them with positive actions and behaviors.
10. Establish a self care routine.
Actively schedule time for self-care. You can feel exhausted and overwhelmed because you may be showing up for everyone, but yourself. Show up for you!
If you faced stressful times, what are you doing to help redirect the negative energy that you may be feeling? Do you know what helps you when you’re stressed. Are you giving yourself grace? Is there anything on my list that has made a difference in your life?