Today it has been one of those days where you just want to shut yourself in the room and let the day pass by. That will never happen with three kids around. After a very stressful morning where my toddler wanted me to dance to the Mickey’s Clubhouse tune and my other two boys had tons of energy to start the day, I prepared a schedule to complete laundry and house cleaning.

I opened the refrigerator door and guess what: no milk. I had to drive to the store with a toddler begging to keep watching more Mickey cartoons. I had put on whatever I found in my drawers, and I saw a couple of moms from school. They had that special expression that told me that I looked horrible.

I got to school to pick up my kids and it was raining. HEAVY raining. I had to go out from the car to get my kids, shoes were wet and my hair was all over the face. You get the picture.

I got home and forgot to buy something for dinner so I told my husband that he needed to bring dinner. I was afraid I could light up a fire in the kitchen. I forgot to do some laundry and the house was a mess.

Then I had a priceless moment. I went to give kisses to my kids at their bedtime and my oldest son told me this: “I love you mom and I would not trade you for anything in the world. Don’t stress out, we are here for you.”

Suddenly everything that happened earlier was in the past and I looked at my boys and everything got better.

Here are six tips from Mom Stress Relief to assist you in living a more stress-free life.

1. Determine, no matter what, to schedule time for yourself.

2. Don’t forget to breathe! Practice deep abdominal breathing periodically throughout the day. Breath in deeply through the nose pulling the belly button toward the spine, hold for a few seconds, and then slowly release.

3. Take time to exercise. Exercise helps to decrease depression, increase concentration and energy, and the endorphins released gives one a greater sense of control.

4. Eat Healthy. There are foods that promote calmness as well as foods that increase stress levels.

5. Practice Thinking Calmly. The easiest way to do this is by focusing on the here and now. Forget about what is going to happen later in the day, tomorrow, next week, next month, next year - just focus right here, right now.

6. Have a sense of humor. We all are familiar with the saying, “Laughter is the best medicine.” This is so true! Be willing to laugh at personal mistakes, or a toddler’s antics. Watch a funny movie. Share a joke with a friend. Lighten up! It will make such a difference.

Motherhood… it brings out the best and the worst in any woman.

Posted by Momcrazyforkids.