So it has been a month since the start of school. Are you getting back into a routine? Or do you feel still overwhelmed with getting children fed for breakfast, getting ready for work and figuring out after school activities and dinner?
Stress is a normal part of our lives and having some stress is good for our health, but when we feel too overwhelmed with what is going on it can wear on us and cause distress. This can have negative impacts on our health such as elevated blood pressure, sleep disturbances and weight gain to name a few.
There can be easy ways to manage the stress and maintain your health and well being. All that you can do from the comfort of your home.
I want to share with you my tips that I incorporate to help to reduce stress and make the day flow better.
1. Make ahead meals. Prepare lunches for yourself and children the night before. Have your older children help. It can be fun to make these. Make a weekly menu that you place on a calendar. Grocery shopping can be easier when we know what we will be eating.
2. Incorporate healthy protein snacks for lunches such as:
- Dried fruit with nuts
- Homemade protein bars (see recipe)
- Veggies and hummus
- Fruit and nut butters
- Hard boiled eggs
2. Maintain a regular bedtime and wake time. Sleep is how our body detoxifies and re-sets itself. It is important to maintain this on the weekends as much as you can.
3. Take time to breath daily. Teach this to your children. Here is a link to 5 minute calming breathwork by Adriene Mishler. I love her Yoga series and this is an easier one to learn.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fEo9my03Ks
4. Continue your regular movement. Don’t have time to go to the gym or get out for that walk. Walk around the house for 10 minutes or up and down stairs in your home.
5. Incorporate Joy daily. What do you find fun? Laugh? Is it reading comics, watching a funny movie? Going to a park to watch children play? When we are joyful, our cortisol levels maintain a regular rhythm. This helps with many things such as decision making, maintaining weight and improved sleep.
6. Practice gratitude daily. This can be in the form of journaling, positive affirmations. There is a mentor of mine that has multiple resources and programs. Check out Brother David Steindl-Rast.
https://grateful.org/
Lastly if you are interested in a protocol with the use of patches that help to reduce stress without the use of supplements and medication please message me at cherri@csholisticfamily.com to learn more.
