Has it been a long day? From rushing the kids off to school, to a workday filled with meetings and paperwork during what should have been your lunch, you know that when your day used to end, it's really only the beginning when the kids walk in the door in the afternoon.
From giving them a snack, while you try to get dinner together, clean up from breakfast, helping with homework, bath-time before the bedtime routine begins, there isn't a moment's peace in a busy mom's day.
If your stress-level calls for a day away from it all in total silence, being pampered by a whole bunch of strangers that don't ask any questions other than, "Can I get you another drink" sounds like paradise- then keep reading.
Take a Moment of Mindfulness
This form of meditation can be done with routine tasks of the day and can help keep your nerves in check. Before picking up the kids from school, turn off your phone and make yourself a cup of tea. Use all your senses during the process. Feel the warmth on your hand, the steam in your nose, the warm liquid in your throat. You can can also do this in the shower or while petting the dog. The feeling will help you feel more centered and slow down on some of your tasks, says Kristen Race, Ph.D., author of Mindful Parenting.
Take a Deep Breath of a Pleasant Scent
Tired of cleaning up dirty diapers and old dry food off the couch? Try a better scent to help you relax.
Certified Aromatherapist and mother of 3 under 6 years old, Amber Duncan always has these on hand to help her recharge.
- Holy Basil "” Waking yourself up
- Scent Spearmint "” Clearing a foggy brain
- Frankincense "” Easing anxiety
- Lavender "” Centering yourself when frazzled
- Ho Wood "” Fighting off the virus your kid brought home
Escape into a Book
I don't remember the last time I was able to finish a book, mainly because I don't remember being left uninterrupted long enough to finish a chapter. Research has found that silent reading slows your heart rate and reduces muscle tension within 6 minutes. So no, bedtime stories to the kiddies don't count for this. Try picking up a book of short stories or Poems, so that you can realistically use this method to help you relax.
Energize with a Smoothie
Did you skip lunch again? We have all been there. If you feel like you can slow down long enough to devour a sandwich, try a smoothie.
Pop nutritious ingredients into a blender for 90 seconds and not only will you be feeling full, but your energy levels will go up.
Continue to the next page for 4 more tips that only need 5 minutes of your time to accomplish.
Do you try to make your escape to the bathroom to listen to the water run and pretend like you're in Malibu? Is it luxurious? Nope. Effective. Actually, yes.
Whether you can believe it or not, even 5 minutes of "me time" can actually help you recharge and make you stand up to the day's stress better.
It turns out there are better ways to unwind than hiding on the toilet.
So it's time to hit the reset button with these simple tricks you can do in 5 minutes.
Snag Some Exercise Time
Even brief bursts of exercise can help reduce blood pressure and cholesterol. Fitting fitness in throughout your day can give you the endorphins you need to bust through those tough times.
Here's a routine to get your heart pumping that will only take 5 minutes:
- Warm up: high knees "” 1 minute
- Squats "” 30 seconds
- Lunges "” 30 seconds
- Plank "” 30 seconds
- Squats "” 30 seconds
- Lunges "” 30 seconds
- Plank "” 30 seconds
- Stretch "” 1 minute
Color Yourself Calm
So you've probably seen Adult Coloring books everywhere, and there's a reason why - they work!
Filling in a pattern can help easy anxiety more than trying to draw on a blank page. So next time you feel your stress creeping up, grab a geometric pattern and start filling it in.
Create an Instant Spa
You don't have to go to a fancy spa to get the effects of relaxation. Create some luxurious DIY treatments thanks to Rhonda James, owner of Belly Up Spa.
- Honey Facial. Honey is both gentle and naturally antibacterial. Using your hands, lightly apply 2 teaspoons to your clean face and let it sit for a few minutes. Moisten fingertips with water and rub in a circular motion to exfoliate. Leave the honey on for another minute, then wipe off with a warm washcloth.
- Lemon Elbow Smoothers. Cut a lemon in half and rub on your elbows to smooth the rough stuff. James also suggests that you can extend the treatment by placing the lemon halves on a table so you can close your eyes and "soak" your elbows in them for five minutes.
- Coconut-Oil Hand Treatment. Coat your hands with coconut oil, then put on disposable powder-free vinyl gloves. "If you have a heating pad, turn it on and place it on top of your hands to help the oil soak in." Remove the gloves after five minutes to find softer skin!
Motivate Yourself With Music
Music can help you both calm down and rev up!
If you're trying to unwind, play nature-inspired music where you can put on headphones, close your eyes and just full immerse yourself in the music for 3-5 minutes.
Are you trying to get some energy to take on the next part of your day? Borrow your child's toy drum and have a go at it! "Drumming can release endorphins, those natural "˜feel good' chemicals," says Allison Gemmel Laframboise, a yoga and drumming teacher at Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health, in Stockbridge, Massachusetts.
Source: Parents.com
