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Me Time: Stress Relief While the Kids are Home

I’m not saying your kids are a terror. I’m not saying that they have so much energy during the summer that sometimes you feel like poking your eyes out. I’m not saying any of those things. But maybe a break from them sounds like a gift from the heavens. You’re used to them being gone for five to ten hours every day, and now they are thrown at you non-stop for three entire months. No one is going to blame you for throwing them out of the house for a couple of hours here and there.

However, you need to stop cleaning, arranging, and organizing every time you get a minute to yourself. Those are things that can be done while the kids are outside or in their rooms. You need time for yourself every once in a while to give your stress some time to leave rather than constantly build up. You might even find yourself a whole lot calmer and happier. Here are some ways to relax and relieve your stress this insane season. If anyone asks, say it’s doctor medicated. I mean, I’m not a doctor but yours would agree with me.

 

Read a book.

Or magazine or the newspaper. Whatever suits your fancy. A good story will get you out of whatever stress, problems, or boredom going on at home and will transport you to a mystery, a romantic scene, a crazy fight, or a fun wizarding school for kids. What an easy vacation!

 

Turn up your music.

Depending on the type of music, it can almost instantly get you into any mood: from calm, to energetic, to acting as a vent for your anger. Put on some headphones or blast it through the house. This is your time, so put those Wheels on the Bus away and listen to what you like.

 

Watch a movie or TV show.

I don’t care if it’s 2 o’clock in the middle of the day. If a movie is what chills you out, turn it on. Remember, your time. I don’t want to see any Mickey Mouse Clubhousing going on.

 

Source: Huffington Post

Do some yoga poses.

Certain yoga poses have been proven to release stress from your body. Child’s pose, cat’s pose, and Viparita Karani (shown in the picture) are some of the best. Get into comfy pants, turn on some relaxing music, and sit in your poses as long as your body needs.

 

Go for a walk or run, or exercise.

Exercise releases endorphins in your body which make you happy. You will always be in a better mood after your workout than before. When you exercise for you mental health rather than your physical health, it can be so much easier. Just get out, and go for a run. Don’t do it for the miles or the burn but the relief.

 

Get a manicure.

Everyone else in the family gets treated, so why don’t you treat yourself? If you really don’t want to go to a salon, take the time on your own nails rather than just slapping on a coat of polish. Exfoliate your skin, treat your cuticles, buff and shape each nail, and then maybe paint them in a unique way that takes more time. You’ll get professional nails for a fraction of the price!

 

Go for a swim.

It doesn’t even have to be an exercising swim. Blow up a tube and lay out in the water. Protect yourself against the sun rays and ignore the rest of the world.

 

Eat some chocolate.

Chocolate is a magical food. It gives you the same endorphins as exercising without having to do anything but chew. Now don’t get carried away and think you can just eat chocolate instead of exercise from now on. Even though that would be a dream, this is purely about mood. You still need to exercise, but that’s a different topic. If you need a pick-me-up, eat a square of chocolate. If you don’t like chocolate, I am going to refrain from calling you crazy and let you know that you can eat something else small and yummy and it will have the same effect.

 

Take a nap.

Shut all the shutters and cuddle up with a big pillow. Just make sure you don’t sleep any longer than a sleep cycle. Your body and mind will be angry, groggy, and maybe even feel a little sick if you sleep any longer than that. Have someone come wake you up nicely, and get out of bed refreshed.

 

Hop in the bath.

If baths gross you out a bit, rinse off in the shower first. Add some bubbles and aromatherapy if you want the full treatment. Even combine a few of the other ideas to give yourself a retreat. You can easily paint your nails, watch a movie, and eat some chocolate all while in the bath.

 

Make some lists.

If you are like me and stress out because you know you will forget things, then make some lists! Lists are some of the most comforting stress relievers to me. Your mind is all safely written on paper so you will not lose it. After you make your lists, PUT THEM AWAY and get on to one of the other stress relieving ideas. Your lists will be there for you to pick up on when you are done, so put them out of your mind.

 

source: Health

Get a massage.

You could be physically stressed from all the knots and tension building up in your neck and back. I know from experience that it is almost impossible to relax if the knots are bad enough. A massage is literally doctor recommended here. If a professional massage seems too frivolous, do some stretches (such as in the picture above) and then have your spouse give you a free massage for your date night.

 

Pick up an old hobby.

You probably have a few, if not several, hobbies you thought you had to give up when you got so busy. Pick them back up and use them as stress relievers. Maybe you’re a painter or musician, or maybe you like to build stuff. You’ll feel good about doing what you love again.

 

Getting some stress relief will create a calmer and happier home environment. It is not selfish or wasteful. You need it. Send your kids off with their friends and do something for yourself.

 

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