Being a mom isnโt always a bed of roses. Tami-Jade Hall looks at ways you can take care of yourself inbetween seeing to the needs of your brand new little bundle.
- Laughter is the best medicine
Mark Van Vuggt, Ph.D. from Psychology Today says there is recent evidence from brain scans that laughter triggers the release of endorphins in your brain. Endorphins are hormones that create a natural high similar to the effects of morphine, and can make you feel happier and more relaxed.
Here are some ideas that will get you laughing out loud:
- Watch a video of your favourite comedian
- Create a Pinterest board filled with hilarious sayings and memes
- Follow funny people on Twitter
Letโs get you started with this one:
You know youโre a mom when โฆ
โฆ picking up another human to smell their butt is not only normal, but totally necessary.
- Music ignites the soul
Science of People write, that music has the ability to reduce stress and ease anxiety, but it can also improve quality of sleep. Classical or โslowโ music not only has the ability to relax your body, but also your mind; music with a faster tempo can make you feel positive, while more soothing music with aย slower tempo can help clear your mind and relax your body.
The best types of music for reducing stress are natural sounds such as rain or birds, as well as light jazz and classical music. However, you should make the final decision about the type of music that calms you.
โMusic touches us emotionally, where words alone canโt.โ โ Johnny Depp
- Sing like no one is listening
Have you ever enjoyed singing in the shower or humming a tune while youโre driving? Have you noticed that you are calmer or happier while you are singing?
The reason for this is because it helps releases endorphins.ย When you are stressed, a hormone called cortisol increases in your body, and singing can reduce those levels, helping you to relax.
So the next time you need a quick pick me up or easy de-stresser, try singing along to your favourite tune.
- Stretch it out
Stretching has powerful stress-relieving abilities and can improve flexibility and mobility, plus it encourages the release of endorphins. Stress can cloud your mind and judgement, so by calming your mind and body while you stretch, you create a sense of peace within, which allows you to live more fully in the moment and helps you navigate stressful situations more calmly and with an open mind.
Stretching in the morning soon after waking up can give your body a boost of energy for the day, while stretching just before bed will improve your sleep.
- Take a hike
No, really. Put your favourite pair of sneakers on, grab that stroller and take a gentle walk around the block. A change of scenery might be just what you need if youโre feeling a bit stressed.
While youโre on your walk, try to concentrate on your breathing: take a deep breath for four counts, hold for six counts and release for eight counts. When you are stressed your breathing, blood pressure and heart rate increase and deep controlled breathing will help to lower those, which will relax your body and calm your mind.
Another great way to de-stress while walking, is to walk with friends. A HuffPost article stated that socialising and being with loved ones lowers the stress hormone, cortisol, and helps increase your stress resilience. So next time you are feeling overwhelmed, just phone a friend and get outside.
