Stress Relief Tips for Busy Mums

Mothers have too much on their plates these days, from morning business meetings to middle of the night baby feedings. Both employed and stay-at-home mums and dads are notoriously worn out from working and parenting around the clock. When a mum is anxious or stressed, this can affect her performance on the job as well as her effectiveness with childrearing. She may not be as productive nor as nurturing as usual.

It’s imperative that mothers look after themselves as fully as they care for their children, in order to sustain the stamina and focus needed to maintain the highest versions of themselves at home and at work. Parents require plenty of rest, healthy nutrition and exercise, too, so no need to have mumma guilts.

Stress management is essential to women’s health and well-being, but it doesn’t have to be problematic, costly, or onerous. In fact, some techniques can actually be quite inexpensive, effortless and relaxing! Here’s a shortlist of Springfree’s stress relief tips for tired, busy mums!

Be Pampered

Mothers are always sacrificing their own desires at the expense of everyone else they love in their lives – whether it be the needs of their aging parents, partners, friends or children. When was the last time you let someone else show you some tender, loving care?

Why not have your hair cut and coloured, book a massage, manicure or pedicure? You may argue about the lack of time to yourself or expense, but the return on your investment might be the revitalisation you require to continue meeting others’ demands on your limited time and energy.

If you can’t find a babysitter or the cash flow, get your family involved in returning the favours you consistently provide to them. Have your husband give you a massage before bed, or ask your daughters to paint your fingers and toes! By following your lead they’ll learn to appreciate the art of giving, not only receiving.

Go Outdoors

Go outdoors and be active! Heading on an adventurous bushwalk with the kids can be fun, as well as a great way to keep fit and reduce nervous tension. All it takes are small doses of sunlight to enjoy the benefits of elevating Vitamin D and serotonin in your body and mind. For even greater stress-relieving potency, recruit your friends and their families to accompany you for additional entertainment to help lift your spirits.

If you prefer to stick closer to home, why not take a turn on your Springfree– jumping can be joyous for adults as well as for kids!

Do some Downward-Dog

Life is hectic and full of hassles. Sometimes you can’t help but feel like a chicken running around with your head cut off. The last thing you need is a heart thumping cardio workout to techno music on days like these.

Unwinding with some gentle yoga can be really beneficial for your mind and body.  The health benefits of gentle exercises such as yoga or pilates include improved strength and flexibility, as well as more developed mind-body awareness that can assist with deeper relaxation. Did you know you can even do downward-dog on your Springfree Trampoline?

So do some Yin to balance out your Yang!

Listen to Music

Listening to music is well established as having the power to soothe any soul. Music is attention absorbing so can help take your mind off other tensions, encourage mediation and prevent mind wandering. Match the tune to your mood – classical music can be rhythmic when life feels chaotic but a rock band can pump you up when feeling down!

Singing along to songs can be an extremely effective stress management tool as melodies link to our emotions. The relaxation effects are extensive by reducing heart rate, slowing pulse, lowering blood pressure and decreasing stress hormones.

There is also a scientific connection between dancing and de-stressing as the body and mind are connected so when the body feels good, the mind does too! Teach your children how to do The Chicken dance or Macarena along with you and have the entire family bursting with laughter being the best medicine of all!

Read a Book

It is an evidenced reality that reading can help reduce stress in the form of healthy escapism. Simply by opening a book, you allow yourself to be invited into a literary world that distracts you from your daily stressors.

Reading can even relax your body by lowering your heart rate and easing the tension in your muscles. It works even quicker and better than other relaxation techniques we’ve mentioned above,. The literary world is free from the distractions that disturb your everyday life.

If you don’t have the luxury of being able to immerse yourself in an engrossing novel, even just a quick, mindless flip through a magazine while lazing on your Springfree can help you unwind in the sunshine. If the kids can’t help climbing in your lap, allow them to sit with you while you read a chapter of your favourite childhood fairy-tale out loud and still enjoy some downtime.

Take a Bath

A nice way to finish off a particularly overwhelming week is to soak in a bubble bath. Put the kids to bed early, light some scented candles for some aromatherapy and an even more relaxing ambiance. Add some magnesium salts to soothe sore joints or essential oils to soften your skin. Close the door, turn on your favourite playlist and wash your worries away!

Phone a Friend

Sometimes all a woman wants is an opportunity to vent her feelings, so dial someone who cares and can assist with distress! When you’re stressed, you release a chemical called oxytocin which triggers an external connection so it is a great opportunity to reach out and bond with someone you love.

A brief phone call to your mum or bestie while your toddler is having his bottle feed might be all you need to assist with clearing your head or healing your heart.

Proper self-care has a payoff. There are plenty of ways to pamper yourself in the comfort of your own home or backyard. Remember that there’s a significant difference between selfishness and self-care. Happy mums make happy homes too!

We at Springfree hope you have found these simple solutions for stress relief handy to have as a reference so do yourself a favour and start today!