Stress management for a stay at home mom?

Question

do any of you have any tips for managing stress for a SAHM??

Everything I have seen about stress management has something to do with exercising in it and I don't ENJOY exercising therefore it would not help me.

I have looked into Mommy groups and Play group but there is none in this area??

Thank All of you for your wonderful advise I am gonna talk to the hubby when he gets home and talk about it:)

Answer 1

I had all my kids 11 months apart...so I know about stay at home mom stress syndrom!!
I always tried to plan a few hours out of the house a week..child free, and a date night with my husband once a week as well.
There was just something about knowing that if I had something to look forward to ..a movie, a class in stained glass that I wanted to take..a spa treat..things were not as bad!
Some days I was telling myself..just two more days, and I will have a break! my days were Tuesday for me time and Sat. for date night
Even if you are low on cash, date night could be a simple as dropping the kids off with a friend and sneaking back home for a movie and cuddle time...or a late night walk in the park or beach with a thermos of hot chocolate!
Another thing that helped was pre planning!! Lay clothes out the night before, when you feel like cooking make extra to freeze, and when you have a stress filled day, you have a "lasagna" to pull out of the freezer for dinner!
Keep a diaper bag filled and ready to go( along with pre made treat bags for older kids), when things get really bad, grab the kids, the bag and just go to the park...or even out side for a "picnic"...take the diaper bag so you dont have to go inside for emergencies..that way it actually takes you out of the 4 walls for a while!! (works wonders suprisingly!)
And just remember that one day it will all be over, the house will be empty and quiet..and a bit lonely..

Another game I played with my 6 year olds on up is "your the mommy now".. I played, turned on the tv to what I wanted to watch, and asked for a peanut butter sandwich and a glass of milk (anything easy your kid can make)..the "mommy" got to be me, if the phone rang she picked up, if there was a mess she got to clean it (within reason of course), and if the "little ones" got loud she got to figure out how to solve the problem...warning this can only last for an hour..but it's worth a try, makes a kid see it's not easy being mommy..the first 15 minutes they love the "power"..after that it gets hard!

Answer 2

How about a crafty hobby like knitting or scrapbooking?
Counted cross stitch is a good one because it engages your brain in counting, therefore you forget about whatever is stressing ya. There are hundreds of crafty hobbies to choose from - just switch on a cable tv channel or go to a local craft store.

Another angle for stress reduction is aromatherapy and taking time to treat yourself to a bath, a homemade facial, or a relaxing cup of tea. Create a space in your home to be your personal retreat. You don't have to remodel or anything, just choose a room (part of your bedroom or bathroom, maybe?) add your favorite de-stressing items (candles, scented lotion, a book of poetry, a comfy pillow, etc.) and carve out 20-30 minutes a day, or every couple of days to be in that space.

As a nutrition and fitness professional, I have to say, however, that even if you don't enjoy exercise, it can bring you stress management benefits - you see, exercise causes a release of endorphins, which are brain chemicals that calm you and make you feel good. You can get an endorphin release from all sorts of physical activity - from playing with your children to a walk in the park - even yardwork or cleaning your house! Maybe if you focus on the benefit, rather than what you have to do to get the benefit, you can incorporate some moderate activity into your total stress management plan. Good luck to you!

Answer 3

lol im the same way i hate excercise other than walking. i agree with what someone else said about the moms group. a couple months ago i started a playgroup and that has helped alot. we get together about 1-2 times a week and its great to have some adult conversation and be around other women who go thru the same challenges i do. there are tons of playgroups out there, check yahoo groups, matchingmoms.com or meetup.com. also i work part time evenings now, not for very long, just 2 4-hour shifts a week, and that also helps me keep my sanity. if you dont want to work maybe you could take a class at a community college. i dont know about you but anything that involves getting out of the house helps especially in the cold winter months.

Answer 4

I am a SAHM of a 11, 8, and 1 year old. Nothing relieves stress like beating up some bad guy on a video game. :) Also, after the hubby comes home, I go take some time by myself to unwind.

Answer 5

Are you indoors most of the time? If so, right there is your stress. You NEED to get out once in awhile and have an adult conversation. I am saying this from experience.

Does your local library have story hour? What about a family center or YMCA....do they have play groups? Not only will this do your sanity a world of good, but it will also help your child interact with kids his or her age which is essential prior to going to school.

Take walks, take drives, talk about nature while you're outside, blow bubbles, take a bubble bath when your child is sleeping, or listen to relaxing meditation/waves crashing music.

Answer 6

I run an in home day care and I'm with six children all day long five days a weeks. I have a three year old of my own and I'm 16 weeks pregnant. Taking time out for yourself. Even if it's going to the library and finding a good book to read. I also look forward to taking a bath at night without any interruptions.I know in the summer I enjoy having a pedicure and manicure. Good Luck!!

Answer 7

I am not the best authority on managing stress, but I have found a lot of hope and help at www.flylady.com. This is really a website about being organized, but it's free to join, and they send tons of email that is encouraging and fun. I have really been more relaxed and less stressed since I have joined their webpage.

Also, even if you don't like exercise (I don't like it either), maybe you like to dance or play with your kids. I just turn on some loud, fast music and bebop around the house giving my brain and body some respite from chores and responsibility. It really helps lessen the tension in my neck, shoulders, back and brain.

Answer 8

Find something you do enjoy, especially if you can do it w/ the kids.

I love to garden and my kids love to dig in the dirt. We go out in the backyard (or you could use containers on a patio if you don't have garden space), and dig and plant. It relaxes me.

Baking is also relaxing for me. I love to bake bread or make whole wheat brownies(found a recipe that tastes just like reg brownies!).

I also love to read. I do this whenever I can. If the kids are playing, I take a few minutes to "sip" from my book.

Being a SAHM can be so challenging sometimes. Hang in there!

Answer 9

Not me!! I pick up once when the kids go to school and once before my husband comes home. I spend a lot of my time either here on Y!A or at Cafe Mom. I love that website and have made a really good friend that we both have a lot in common. Try checking it out, you might enjoy it!! =)

Answer 10

I read a book. Sitting down and escaping reality for even a few minutes really calms me down. i know it is hard to find quiet time for this. I've been known to even "hide" in the bathroom to get a chapter in.

I'm a stay at home mom of a 6, 2 and 4 month old.