I recently read about a study conducted at the University of Rochester (read here) that found that the more stressed out a parent is, the more likely her child is to get sick.
If you're already a QUOTE-UNQUOTE stressed out parent, don't let this news stress you out more! The good news is that taking care of yourself and your own personal mental health is like giving your kids a healthy sickness-preventing dose of vitamin C!
Here are some fun stressbusters...
- When you're stressed and rushing to get out the door, everyone's screaming and crying, and you're holding back the string of profanities rushing through your head, {{for me, this is Sunday mornings. Why are Sunday's before Church the most stressful morning of the week?}} take a moment to release some tension. When I feel a ticking-time-bomb building up in my chest ready to explode at any moment, if I'm focused, I like to let it out with a happy scream! I gather my stress-inducing children (and husband...wink, wink) around, and we let out a B.I.G. yell for a minute. I feel much better, and the kids never know I was really mad!
- Learn to say, "NO!" I'm a big time "yesser." I have a REALLY hard time saying "no" when asked for a favor. But sometimes, you just have to! See what's already on your plate, and decide if you can handle tackling the proposed addition. If not, say "no!"
- See how different types of music affect your mood. Play the type that relaxes you, whether it's rock or classic!
- Put yourself in "time-out". {{If only I could stay in time-out for as many minutes as I am old!}
- Take a nap, or get adequate night time sleep. {{I know, like that's going to happen, right?}}
- Stop trying to be the "perfect mom!" It doesn't exist!
- Try to quiet the constant "to-do" list in your brain. Pick up a favorite novel, watch a funny-good movie, dust off your old guitar, and engage your mind!
- EXERCISE!!!!!!!!!! Even if you can only squeeze in a few minutes every day, it will work wonders for your own health, and apparently your children's!
To sum it up...let go thy guilt for taking some YOU time! It's better for everybody involved...including your kiddies.
What are your favorite stress-reducers?
By the way...I had no idea until I read this that there is actually a day designated each year as World Diabetes Day. And guess what? It's TODAY!
