It’s not easy raising kids. From toddler tantrums to teenage histrionics, kids can make our lives very stressful. Unfortunately, as well as driving us to drink and comfort eating, too much stress can also play havoc with our health.
You’re probably acutely aware when you are under a lot of stress. Sleepless nights, a bad tummy, and even worse moods than normal are all indicative of stress, which can affect our mental and physical health. Here are some tips to get you through the worst periods, whether your stress is caused by your kids, your job, or your relationships.
Skincare and Stress
Pay close attention to your skin. It’s a useful barometer of your current stress levels. The more stress you have in your life, the worse your skin is likely to look, hormonal issues notwithstanding.
The most common signs of stress on our skin include the following:
- If you have ever broken out in zits on the eve of an important event, you are not alone. Spots tend to appear when we are stressed out. Too much stress can cause our cortisol levels to rise. This stimulates the oil glands in our skin to go into overdrive, which leads to spots and acne.
- Stress can also aggravate other common skin problems, such as eczema and psoriasis.
- Hives are another fun symptom of stress.
It is very important that you take good care of your skin when you are stressed. Forgetting to cleanse and moisturize is easily done when stress levels are high, but not taking good care of your skin will only make your issues worse.
There are lots of great products that can soothe your skin and help minimize problems. For example, investigate the benefits of colloidal oatmeal and you’ll see it’s very helpful if you suffer from eczema.
Keep a Journal
Our mental health is just as important as physical health, but all too often, busy mums put their own needs on a backburner. Unfortunately, that won’t help you find a good balance in your everyday life.
When life is hectic and you feel pulled in every direction simultaneously, it can be really helpful to write down your thoughts and feelings in a journal. Devote a few minutes at the beginning or the end of the day to write in your journal. This gives you a chance to process how you feel, and when you read what you have written, things might begin to make more sense.
It’s easier to see a pattern in your thoughts and emotions when you write it all down. Perhaps you are stuck in a job you hate, or your relationship is on the skids. Use your journal as a way of processing what’s going on and how you feel about everything.
If there is any chance your private musings could cause harm to a third-party, make sure you place your journal in a safe place or write in a protected digital file.
Learn to Love Cooking
Instead of falling into the trap of eating junk food, learn to embrace the pleasures of home-cooked food.
Junk food may be fulfilling thanks to all that fat and sugar, but it’s a downward slippery slope. The more junk food you eat, the more weight you’ll pile on, and your energy levels will plummet. Sadly, this vicious cycle will only make your stress levels worse.
Try and get into the habit of buying fresh ingredients and cooking meals from scratch. If time is short, batch cook basic recipes and store portions in the freezer, so you have a go-to meal when you don’t have the time or energy to cook.
Don’t let stress get you down. In most cases, it will pass, but if you feel life is getting out of control, remember, there is no shame in asking for help.
0 Comments