Being a parent is full-on, and there is always something to do and someone to look after and the opportunity for downtime can seem like a shimmer in the distance you never actually get closer to. While parenting isn’t always stressful, the reality is that it is usually busy, and that can lead to burnout even if you don’t feel stressed. Simply not stopping can be enough to render you out of action for any period of time.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed and need to decompress and regain your equilibrium, the strategies could be exactly what you’re looking for. They are designed to help you manage stress and prevent burnout, so if that’s your goal, keep reading.
Early Bedtime
An early bedtime can be precisely what the entire family needs from time to time to help you reduce your feeling of being overwhelmed, get some rest, and start over again with a clear mind. Sleep is a fantastic de-stressor, and if you need to recharge, scheduling an early night in for everyone can allow you to catch up on much-needed sleep and rest, and you feel better. This might not always be possible, especially if you have young kids with a strict schedule that works for them. But when you can grab an early night and stop and sleep, you’ll wake up refreshed and ready to start anew.
Offload
Offloading your stress, concerns, worries, etc., can make a theme file much more manageable. A problem shared is a problem halved, after all. And while that might not be true in the strictest sense of the sentiment, it can be a massive relief to offload what is in your brain onto someone and have them help you out and share the load. Be it a friend, partner, therapist, or parent, tell someone how you are feeling and what you are dealing with and share with them to help you feel lighter and less burdened.
Distract Your Brain
Distraction can help you remove your worries from your mind and shift the mental load to the back seat for a while. You can do this by exercising, watching a movie, reading a book, listening to a podcast, or playing online games like this pool game to occupy your mind and give you something else to focus on. The breathing space these activities can afford you can help you destress for a short time and refocus with more clarity.
Get Outside
You can ‘ground yourself in nature’ or touch the grass, as the kids say, by going into your garden and physically touching the grass. This practice is believed to help you connect with the earth’s energy and absorb the benefits of being outside. You can also go for a walk, sit outside in silence with your morning cuppa, soak up some vitamin D if the sun is out, or go for a run. The healing power of nature is well-documented, but simply getting outside can also help clear your head and decompress from life for a short while.
Self Care
Self-care activities can range from the really simple getting a hot cuppa in the morning to a long soak in the bath, meditation, a massage, and even taking 10 minutes alone in the car before going into the house after work, right through to more exclusive and expensive options like booking in an at a spa or going away for the weekend. But whatever self-care works or you use it and see the benefits in your life. Remember, taking care of yourself is not a luxury; it’s a necessity and makes you feel valued and important.
Do Something Fun
If life is overwhelming, adding something fun to it can be the rescue remedy you need to get back on track. Laughter is the best medicine, and there’s much to be said about the power of having fun for your mental health. Whether you put on your favourite film and head out to a concert or comedy show, have a day trip, meet up with friends or have a solo dance party as you clean the kitchen, add fun to your life and give yourself a quick mental boost you can lean on to help you feel better.
Life can get overwhelming pretty easily and really quickly, and if you find yourself needing to decompress, you want to support your mental and physical health and keep yourself balanced and stress-free as much as possible. Whether you need a quick boost or longer initiatives to manage stress, implement some of these things you can do in your life and see how they can help you.
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