Motherhood is our most critical responsibility. We need to frequently recharge our resources so that we feel balanced, energized, and able to support our children’s and family’s demands. How do we do that?

Choose a life of less stress by identifying your Stress Points. You can start by following the list below:

1. Identify both personal and professional reasons for your stress. If you discover that the choice you’ve made isn’t the right one, outline the changes you need to make.
2. Determine your priorities, rank the importance of your family, your personal needs and your professional identity. Consider the ranking when you’re called to make choices and compromises. Decide when you have to put your identity, your plans, and your self-nurturing on hold while you take care of others.
3. Schedule at least 15 to 30 minutes for yourself every day. And don’t feel guilty! You deserve it, and you’ll be a better mom because of it.
4. Remind yourself that the level of stress you experience is directly related to the way you internalize it and the importance you place on your own dramatization.
5. Look for the hidden factors in your lifestyle that may be robbing your energy off. Make a plan to change or eliminate those influences. Log the times each day when you feel beat or burned out.
6. Try to schedule your workout for the time of day when you need an energy boost. The hardest part is just starting the workout. But once you do, you’ll be amazed at how much more energy you have — and how much better you feel.
7. How easy is it for you to say « No »? Respect yourself and your time enough to delegate tasks and refuse to take on more than you can handle.
8. Don’t multi-task yourself into more stress. When we try to do too much at once, we are raising, not lowering, our stress level. Multi-task only when you can realistically fulfill all tasks adequately. Decide which tasks deserve your full attention. Then give it.
9. Do you have the support network you need? Ask family members or friends for help. Join other moms or groups that share your hobbies, interests and lifestyle.
10. Be prepared for the unpredictable. Realize that there will be days when you feel overwhelmed, and days when it feels like you’re not getting anything done. Know that it’s just fine.

To put it simply, « The best time to rest and relax is when you do not have the time for it. »

Written by:  Tina I URETEN, MD, RDMS, RDCS