How Do You Deal with Stress?

Fitness, fitness, fitness!!!!! Get that heart rate movin'! I know you are tired, but believe it or not, when you work out you actually have more energy (seems like it would exhaust you, but the opposite is true). Try it first thing in the morning, and you will be in a better mind set and feel better throughout the day. Doesn't have to be a lot, a little can make a huge difference.

You need some time for yourself sweetie! No matter how much you love your kids you have to take care of yourself, otherwise you won't be able to take care of anyone else! My DH watches my daughter for 1 hour three times a week while I go to Zumba - if you are able to find a class in your area it is so much fun and energizing and an AMAZING stress releiver!! GL!!

I get out of the house or have hubby get the kids out of the house so I can have some quiet time. If those things cant happen then I take a nice long bath and read a good book. My husband and I take turns having our own time, so then we dont get too bogged down in daily chores and tasks. If your extremely tired ask hubby or a good friend to take the kids for awhile and just take a good ol fashioned nap. (Or go get a pedi) You need to pamper yourself every now and then. Hope this helps ((HUGS))

Can you get away for a yoga class or a work-out (even if short) over lunch?

If not, find one night that you do something for YOU! Exercise, read a book, go for a walk, etc...

Also, stay strong by reading your Bible or a book by a Christian author that will keep things in perspective and help you in your faith.

Two words: Hard Liquor. Just kidding. Are you a single mom? You didn't mention anything anything about a mate. If so, schedule a babysitter for the day (maybe Friday, have a sitter pick up from daycare) and schedule a Spa day for yourself and dinner and drinks with a friend.

Life can be exhausting.... can you take 1 day off - to recharge a bit? Also, breathing exercised can help during the day and in the moment to calm your body and mind. At night before bed, steal a few minutes (10-15) to yourself to light a candle, sit in quiet or relaxing music and think about what you are thankful for... make a mental list. Then just breathe in and out slowly and relax before you go to bed - to hopefully recharge just a bit. Hang in there!

Vitamins & exercise. Making certain your body has the required nutrients is very critical to managing stress. Also squeeze in all the fitness you can. You don't need a committed hour ritual but 5 minutes here and there will and can make a difference too. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Park further away and walk vigorously to the office. You may also consider eating a sandwhich or wrap for lunch which is easy to make and consume. Use the balance of your lunch to go for a stroll. Whhile strolling try some deep breathes. This helps to infuse your blood with oxygen and gets it circulating to your entire body. This helps you to think clearer and better.

Here are some scriptures I use to meditate on while I'm at work and while I'm exercising.
Isaiah 54:17 (No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.)

Jeremiah 29:11 (For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.)

2 Timothy 1:17 (For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.)

Luke 6:27 (But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,)

James 2:26 (For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.)

1 Peter 2:12 (Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.)

I hope this helps you tremendously.

Zoloft. I'm not kidding it has totally made me a better person. I used to think I don't need drugs but I did and life is much better. I have a stressful job, 2 kids I adore and the best husband and it wasn't until the zoloft that I really was enjoying everything. Our body chemistry changes over time talk to your doctor. Good luck

Several good posts already. I agree with all the exercise ideas. And especially the suggestion of taking time right before bed to recharge, meditate, pray whatever that looks like for you.
If you do not have a partner, you could: have an older teen as a mother's helper to come over and watch the kids while you take a break. Or, you could team up with another single mom to switch off watch each other's kids every so often.
Many gyms and YMCA's offer child care while you work out.
Would someone in your church be able to help out?
It's great that your kids want to get outside and play. Also, you could find some other mom's and have a potluck. That way you wouldn't have to cook as much.
Blessings to you.
L.

take 1 hour of every day for yourself. Let your family know when that hour is to start and what time it ends.

i think its a basic answer that may be hard to do. either get a less stressful job or learn how to not let your job get to you. pace yourself at work and dont let things get to you. maybe it's time for a family vacation to rejuvinate you. we are on this earth to serve God not serve the man at work all hours of the day. reprioritise and change your life accordingly. i'm guessing you feel stressed because God wants you to want to change the way things are. start changing.

Whatever you do....don't wait too long to do something. When my husband was deployed to Iraq, I was too afraid to ask anyone for help for fear that they might think I couldn't handle it and I didn't want my 2 children (only 5 and 3 years old at the time) to think things were going to get worse. Now I have anxiety and panic attacks. They are getting better but I just wish I had asked for help sooner. Now I have 3 children (11, 9 and 3) and I give myself at least 20 minutes a day for Pilates. I shut the door and won't let anyone in unless they are bleeding :). It is only 20 minutes but it is my 20 minutes. At night, we all pray together. Hearing their sweet voices talking to God melts my heart. I also try to avoid extra caffeine. I drink 1/2 caff in the mornings and then water the rest of the day. An occasional Dr. Pepper - like once a month - is okay but not everyday. That goes for chocolate, too. I just try to do a few little things for myself, like eating better, or painting my toenails, whatever. I take a deep breath and remind myself that most of the world did not have one decent meal today or water to drink...how blessed we are in this country. And if you our outside playing with the kids, live in that moment, don't worry about dinner or anything else. Try to play with a mind that is not thinking about the next moment. Live in the moment! And make frozen dinners every once in a while - kids love those Kid Cuisine things or have a frozen pizza on Friday nights, then make pop-corn and watch a movie. Or, use your slow cooker. I feel like I have more energy in the morning to put a chicken in with some bbq sauce. 8 hours later, you have bbq that just falls off the bone. I put in potatoes, too. My kids love bbq potatoes. You can put it on buns or eat it plain. You get the idea. Slow cooking takes a huge strain off of you in the evening.

Good luck and don't wait!!!!! God bless you...

A little silence and solitude goes a long way.

A car ride by myself with the music blasting like I used to do when I was single and without kids. Granted I usually run an errand as a part of this treatment but it does not seem so bad when I am by myself. If the weather is nice I put the windows down and let my hair blow.