Are you stressed out by the duties of parenting children, such as assisting with schoolwork and organizing after-school activities, sports, doctor’s visits, and birthday parties? Was being overwhelmed part of your job description when you became a parent?
If you
Are you stressed out by the duties of parenting children, such as assisting with schoolwork and organizing after-school activities, sports, doctor’s visits, and birthday parties? Was being overwhelmed part of your job description when you became a parent?
If you would like to take a step back or if you’re feeling overwhelmed but don’t know what to do, keep reading.
Here are some techniques to assist you in developing resilience. (And, no, they do not entail spending a lot of money.) These options are focused on what you can accomplish at home right now. Allow yourself to be happy and lower your stress in whichever method works best.
1. Adjust your perspective
When people allow their worries to take control, they might suffer anxiety. Are you letting out your frustrations in harmful ways?
Break down large issues into smaller components. This entails confronting issues head-on, yet doing so one at a time. This is commonly referred to as compartmentalizing. Consider separating each source of stress into its own plastic container. Consider shutting the lids. Segmenting obstacles reduces stress because it prompts the insight that problems can be dealt with separately, while the others may be “stored” for later.
Understand how much power you give each stressor in your life. Sometimes stress is caused by actual danger, but in most situations, the level of tension we feel is caused by how we perceive the barriers in our path. Take stock of how much weight you are assigning to each difficulty you are encountering.
2. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask For Help
It’s natural to want to “do it all” as a parent. However, because you are already tired, overwhelmed, and emotionally drained, you need to take a good look at how you approach it all. Consider asking for help when you need it.
3. Say “No” to Some Activities
When your plate is full, the only way to make room is to be willing to say “no” to some requests.
The key is to start small. For example, if you have volunteered for a committee at school for years, ask for a substitute for one year. If you have younger children, ask a friend to watch your child for a few hours so that you have time to run errands or grab a bite to eat.
If you can’t say “no,” you may find yourself saying “yes” to many things, but you won’t find the time to do anything. You will end up feeling more stressed than ever before.
4. Take a Break
If you have been feeling stressed for a long time, you may need to take some time off to help your body and mind recover.
A growing body of research shows that taking a vacation can increase feelings of happiness and well-being. For example, a study conducted by psychologists at the University of California-Riverside revealed that people rated their overall life satisfaction as a 9.7 on a scale of 10 after a vacation, compared to a rating of 8.9 before the vacation.
For some people, taking a “mental health day” can be a great way to relieve stress. What would that look like for you? One study reported that workers who took at least one day off for mental health reasons reported much less stress than those who didn’t take a mental health day.
5. Make Time for Play
When you are feeling stressed, it can seem impossible to have time for yourself. Play can help reduce your stress. Even if you have limited time and resources, there are some easy ways to incorporate play into your life.
The important thing is to make time for play. Even if that means sneaking off to a quiet place at the park, away from your home and children, calling a friend, reading a book, and relaxing.
Living a rich, full life as a parent is possible. By incorporating these helpful strategies into your life, you may find yourself better equipped to manage the challenges of parenting. And perhaps you’ll find ways to enjoy and celebrate your role as a parent.
Here at Virtuous Circle Counselling, we believe that getting Calgary Counselling Services can help you learn ways to handle stress in your life. If you’re lucky, there may be an obvious solutions in sight—but if not, it is still best to seek professional advice and begin to develop a strategy for dealing with the sometimes overwhelming demands of parenthood once and for all. Please schedule an appointment with one of our Calgary Counselors today!