Are you totally overwhelmed by everything that's going on in your life? Do you have a million things to do? Do you need a break from it all? We could all use some time to rest and recharge, but taking a nice vacation to a secluded island isn't in the cards for most of us.
Even though you can't always take a vacation, or even spend a day resting, there are some things you can do to lower your stress level and make yourself feel more in control of the situation.
How to Care For Yourself When You Feel Totally Overwhelmed as a Parent
Parenting is hard.
There's no doubt about it.
It can be especially difficult when you're feeling overwhelmed and stressed out.
It's important to take care of yourself during these times, though!
In this article, we will discuss some ways that you can care for yourself when you're feeling overwhelmed as a parent.
Time for Yourself
One way to care for yourself when you're feeling overwhelmed as a parent is to take some time for yourself.
This can be difficult to do, but it's important.
Make sure to have some time each day, even if it's just a few minutes, to do something that you enjoy.
This can be anything from reading a book to taking a bath.
Organization
Another way to care for yourself when you're feeling overwhelmed as a parent is to get organized.
This can help you feel more in control of your life and less stressed.
Set aside time each week to organize your home and your schedule.
This will make things run more smoothly and help you feel less overwhelmed.
Routines
Finally, make sure to stick to routines.
This can be difficult with a family, but it's important.
Having a routine can help you feel more in control and less stressed.
Try to stick to set mealtimes, bedtimes, and other daily routines as much as possible.
This will help everyone in the family feel calmer and less overwhelmed.
Outsourcing
You don't have to do it all.
If you have the means to outsource things like house cleaning or lawn care, do it!
If you spend a lot of time driving to activities, talk with other parents and see if there's a way you could carpool.
Do grocery pickup. At most stores, it's free. Even if you're particular about picking out produce yourself, you can still use the pickup service for things that come prepackaged.
Go here for more ways to outsource and automate household tasks.
Positive Messages
The constant barrage of negative news that's designed to make us angry takes a toll.
Find a few podcasts or shows with a positive outlook, and listen to those!
If you're trying to get organized, I highly recommend the Organize 365 podcast. It's positive, fun, and full of practical ideas.
Laughter
Laughter is undoubtedly one of the best ways to reduce stress.
When we feel overwhelmed by the many challenges of our day-to-day lives, simply laughing can change our perspective and help us regain a sense of clarity and calm.
This is because laughter triggers the release of stress hormones like cortisol, which helps to fight emotional overwhelm and regulates the nervous system.
Additionally, laughter naturally increases our endorphin levels, which are often referred to as the ‘happy' chemicals in the body.
Overall, then, by promoting physiological and emotional wellness, laughter truly is an effective tool for reducing stress in all aspects of our lives.
Sleep
When we are stressed, our bodies go into fight-or-flight mode.
This triggers the release of stress hormones like cortisol, which can have a number of negative effects on our health.
In the short term, cortisol can lead to feelings of overwhelm and anxiety.
In the long term, it can contribute to chronic conditions like heart disease and obesity.
One of the best ways to reduce stress is to get a good night's sleep.
Sleep helps to regulate cortisol levels and allows our bodies to recover from the challenges of the day.
In addition, sleep helps to boost our immune system and improve our mood.
Getting enough sleep is one of the best things we can do for our overall health and wellbeing.
If you are having trouble with sleep, talk to your doctor. They may be able to help you find a solution and start sleeping well again.
Hydration
Hydration is an essential part of maintaining good health, and the benefits of staying properly hydrated extend well beyond just having clear skin and glossy hair.
Hydration plays a key role in regulating many aspects of our physical and mental health, including mood.
For example, drinking enough water can help to reduce feelings of overwhelm and stress by regulating energy levels, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels.
Additionally, drinking adequate amounts of water on a regular basis helps to build healthy habits that can have a positive impact on happiness and well-being.
By establishing and sticking to a regular water intake routine, you can improve your overall mood and experience a sense of calm and clarity throughout the day.
So if you're looking for ways to boost your mood and feel happier overall, be sure to keep yourself hydrated!
Connection
Sometimes a good chat with someone is enough to lift your spirits.
But I know that we're all more isolated nowadays, and it can be hard to find someone to talk with.
The good news is that you don't have to have a long, serious talk with someone to feel more connected.
One thing that really helps me is to become a “regular” at different places in my community.
I like seeing familiar faces at the library, coffee shop, etc.
Seeing the same people and just saying hi now and then helps me a lot.
If you want to talk with someone, you can also try calling a warmline.
Warmlines are created as a non-emergency resource for anyone who needs someone to talk to.
You can learn more about warmlines here
Other Resources for Getting Rid of that Totally Overwhelmed Feeling
What to Do When You're Overwhelmed By Your Home
10 Things You Can Do To Feel Less Overwhelmed
A Simple Strategy for Making Your To Do List Less Overwhelming
Be sure to check out my post over at My Love For Words which gives some simple tips for ways to give yourself a break when you feel overwhelmed!
New to this community? Start here, friend!