Three Simple Ways Moms Can Reclaim Calmness by Top 30 Super Moms

As a full-time working mother and entrepreneur, I know how stressful life can get. I don’t have a nanny or a maid and I am always trying to figure out how to juggle it all. Moms are amazing! But we also have to recognize our limits and manage our stress. As mothers, our stress affects the whole family so it’s important for us to do little things throughout the day or we that can help us manage our stress. I highly recommend doing something for your mind, your body, and your heart. They don’t have to be big things. In fact, three simple things that you can do to reach can be:

TIP 1- For your mind, have a calendar/planner – Writing down the things that you absolutely must get done that day is so much more helpful than thinking about everything that needs to get done that week. That can stress anyone out. Looking at your calendar and prioritizing that day’s to-do list will help you feel a lot less stressed and much more organized. It will also help you organize the family’s schedule and make you realize if you need additional help. (It’s okay to ask for help!)

TIP 2- For your body, move your body! – This can be as simple as taking a daily walk. Whether that is by yourself or with your family, get outside and breathe in some fresh air. Your mind and body with thank you for the change of scenery, the vitamin D, and to have your blood pumping. This can definitely help clear your mind, relieve stress, and leave you in a better mood.

TIP 3- For your heart, keep a gratitude journal – Write out three things everyday that you are grateful for. Do this while you are having some alone time. (That could be before the kids wake up in the morning or right before you get ready for bed.) When you remember the things that are truly important to you and that you’re grateful for, you tend to not sweat the small stuff. You also realize how blessed you are. The practice of gratitude also invites other positive things to come into your life too.

TIP 1- Pray – If you are a person of faith, pray. Ask God for the things you need to get through the trials of the day.

TIP 2- Be Full of Thanksgiving – By focusing on the things you are grateful for rather than the stress, it completely changes your mindset. You have the power to rewire your brain and what it chooses to fixate on.

TIP 3- Hold Your Expectations and Agenda Loosely – I find that I’m the most stressed when I am focused on the unimportant things. My kids want my attention, but I want a clean kitchen. Maybe I’m too into my phone rather than my family, and the tension rises when my own selfish desires conflict with the things that are truly important. Life looks different when you are a mom, and you definitely need to take time for yourself. However, learning to let go of being superwoman so you can truly be present is key.

Step 1- Be gentle with yourself. We often come into motherhood with a lot of ideals that don’t always manifest into reality and that’s ok.

Step 2- Eat regular meals. Blood sugar dips and spikes can cause stress hormones to rise. Keep snacks with you to reduce metabolic stress.

Step 3- Try adaptogenic herbs like Rhodiola, Ashwagandha or Eleuthero, like you’ll find in our adrenal supplement, to help support your hormones and make you more resilient to stress.

Step 1- Proper breathing –  When I get tensed, I take deep breaths and that calms me down. It helps me to think better, too, as blood goes to my brain.

Step 2- Essential oils – Certain scents affect my moods and calm me immediately.

Step 3- Enough sleep – Nothing gets me so tensed and cranky than getting only a few hours of sleep at night. I should get at least 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep during the night. Then I take a nap in the afternoon.

Step 1- I get up early in the morning and do meditation.

Step 2- During the day I take an hour for myself to do what I like, like cooking, writing, or reading a book

Step 3- I try to eat and sleep well, always! And then I never forget to surround myself with positive people who make me feel good!

There are a few ways that I like to recenter myself and they each require me to unplug from social media and online buzz. I think hobbies are a lost art. Finding a passion in my 40s has revived something in me and continues to bring me endless joy. Women should really focus on this more. Spending time outdoors is also key – even if it’s just in your own backyard and even if it’s alone. Lastly, there’s nothing a hard game of sudoku can’t solve. When you have to put all your attention on solving a riddle, you have no time to worry about real-life drama.

Step 1- Step away from your phone. Either go for a walk around the block or put your phone in a different room for a bit. Constantly grabbing your phone to check notifications or scrolling mindlessly can really stress you out.

Step 2- Practice mindfulness. Be aware of your present, your breath and your emotions. It will help ground you when your stress levels rise.

Step 3- As much as you can, remove the toxic people from your life. Or at the very least, reduce your contact with them. You don’t need their negative energy sucking your positive one.

Step 1- As a working mother, I have tons of stress. Three ways I destressed myself are: an Offline Day, A Spa Day, and/or reading

Step 2- An Offline day is a day of NO phones, NO computers, etc. A day to just enjoy the day as a family. Doing tons of bonding, playing outdoors, and baking! A Spa Day is a day I treat myself to a relaxing pedicure, manicure, or a massage, something to make me just completely relax. The last way I love destressing myself is by reading a book. I get lost in the pages and get completely into it which makes great for not thinking about whatever is stressing you.

Step 1- My surefire way of staying stress-free is clearing time for myself.  This can be different for everyone but mine is working out – either outside for a run or taking a zumba class.

Step 2- Now I also need the complete opposite of alone time as being a mom can be isolating, especially in a pandemic.  So I make sure to stay connected to my friends through Marco Polo and our outdoor (socially distanced) book club.  Connecting with other moms keeps my sanity in check 🙂

Step 3- And lastly, putting the phone and laptop away and just playing with my daughter.

Step 1-Remember that you matter too. As moms we often fully prioritize everyone and everything else in our lives, especially things that our culture tells us is most important, like immaculate homes. If you’re moving through an entire day without taking at least 30 minutes for yourself, you’re going to burn out and crash.

Step 2- Honor the way that you’re made. If you’re an introvert, find ways to have protected, quiet time alone, even if you sit in your car in the driveway! If you’re an extrovert, make sure to schedule weekly “mom’s night out” so that you can talk to people your own age.

Step 3- Take care of your body! Your body is your temple and if mom is down and out, everyone is. Exercise, take time to enjoy your meals, and be grateful for them, spend time in prayer or meditation. If you’re strong, if your hormones are balanced, if you have energy, you can accomplish more of what you have planned for the day, especially with a happy heart!

Step 1- Factor in extra time: No matter how organized you are with planning, there’s always a long list of last-minute jobs to be done. So try to factor in extra time so you can avoid last-minute rushing around.

Step 2- Do what only you can do: Train others to do the rest. Adjust your expectations. When you’ve delegated something to your husband the most important thing to remember – relinquish control of how it’s done. When your kids take over something, the most important thing to remember is that you are there to promote learning and responsibility.

Step 3- Order your groceries online: Online grocery shopping can save you hours every week whether you use a delivery service, get them shipped, or drive-thru to pick them up.

Step 1- Self-care: I cannot emphasize enough how important self-care is. You cannot pour from an empty cup. It is crucial to hit the brakes from time to time and enjoy some well-deserves “me-time.” Have your husband (or a babysitter of your choice) take care of your child while you have some uninterrupted time to recharge your batteries. I personally like getting my hair done or get mani-pedis. Other love to go shopping to relax. There’s a reason it’s called retail therapy.

Step 2- Find the time to work-out: This doesn’t mean you have to do some full-fledged gym workout. It can be as simple as just doing a 10 minute YouTube workout or going for a walk around the block. Exercising releases endorphins and helps tremendously at reducing stress. Start your day with a workout and you’ll feel more energized throughout the day.

Step 3- Get in your zzz’s: I know we’re all busy and have excuses but getting in a solid 7-8 hours of quality sleep at night is so crucial to reduce your stress levels. Try to not use any electronics close to bedtime. If you need extra help relaxing, you can do some light yoga before going to bed and use essential oils.

Step 1- Exercise: I have exercised most of my adult life and I draw on that practice when I feel stressed. I have been walking and running every morning since the pandemic restrictions were initiated.

Step 2- Eat a Well-Balanced Diet: Eating a healthy diet makes me feel better. Also, I am less stressed when my clothes fit. So, I try to keep my calories low and my nutrients high.

Step 3- Create a Schedule that Works: Being out of sync with my life creates stress. My observations have taught me that I need my sleep. So, to the annoyance of my husband, I go to bed early. Implementing this increases my patience and makes me look better.

Have a routine/schedule that allows flexibility! Sometimes, being too makes it hard to adapt with last minute changes pop up (kids being sick, baby poops their diaper, car gets a flat, etc…). Although routines help to:
1- Keep us calm,
2- Balanced and
3- Sane
Being too rigid can also make us crazy!

Step 1- De-stress your home:  Do you find that when your home aesthetic is off that you feel like you’re in a rut?  Are you in a stress rut because your home is a mess?  Or is your home a mess because you’re in a stress rut?  Consider simplifying by using smart home products (robotic vacuums, smart appliances, etc).  Declutter as much as possible and organize what you end up keeping with pretty bins and sticky labels.  Also, consider going paperless with as much as possible to reduce paper clutter around the house.  Another option would be to hire outside help like a housekeeper or an organizing service like the Neat Method.

Step 2- Probiotics: and gut health play an important factor in stress management, which I have been learning more about this year.  Find yourself a good probiotic and stick to taking them routinely.   Couple that with mild to moderate daily exercise, increase water intake, and healthier eating and your body will thank you.

Step 3- Carve out time for YOU: Everybody talks about “me time” like it has to be expensive and away from the home.  Consider purchasing a back massager to use at home, some fun nail polishes and manicure tools, and some great face products.  And don’t be afraid to do something completely mindless like play a video game on your kid’s Nintendo Switch (ask me how I know), or browse Pinterest for hours after everyone goes to bed.