Parental stress is nothing new, and when we are trying so hard to ensure that our children are healthy and happy, the pressure is going to suck the life out of anything. Stress can put a strain on us, but it will also stress out the whole family, and it can have a wide-ranging impact, by damaging relationships, and greatly hindering well-being. So what can we do to make sure we are enjoying life when we are constantly feeling the pressures?
Have a Little Bit of What You Fancy
If you feel that you’re trying to set an example to your children constantly, and you’re talking about being healthy at every turn, you might be depriving yourself of a little bit of heaven that will do wonders for your happiness at that moment. We have to remember that unhealthy habits are unhealthy, but as long as we work hard to maintain a solid foundation of health, a little bit of what we fancy will be okay. And this is why it’s important to focus on the quality of that vice. Some people like cigars, and if you are someone who likes one every now and again, the Ashton price of cigars is a nice little investment. When we invest in quality over quantity, it makes us appreciate the vice a little bit more. Whatever you like, if you focus on a quality item, this will stop you from overindulging.
Avoid the Bad Stuff in Life Where You Can
When we are feeling stressed, we can focus too much on the negative. No doubt you were one of the parents that were glued to the news in light of everything that has gone on over the last 18 months, but it’s important to be aware of the things that will drag you down emotionally. It’s important to protect yourself and avoid triggers that will hinder your mindset in the long run. Avoiding unnecessary exposure to the news, and steering clear of negativity on social media by blocking certain people will make a massive difference. Because if you are feeling negative all the time, you’ve now got to get into self-protection mode.
Make More Time to Get Things Done
Part of the reason we feel so overwhelmed is that we feel there is no time to get anything done. Time pressure is something everybody feels, but parents can feel more burdened by time than anybody else. And you may think that you can’t change your schedule, but if you are feeling like you are constantly in a rush, you may need to adjust yourself appropriately. When it comes to our children, you might think that they are the reason that you are running late, but it’s important to remember that there will be time to get yourself ready meaning that you can focus on the tasks of getting the kids ready and at the door on time. If you are running late constantly, you can benefit from starting earlier. However, it’s important to prioritize what is vital to thriving first thing in the morning. Having a good morning routine can get you into a better frame of mind so you don’t feel so stressed. Additionally, starting your morning preparations the night before will take the pressure off.
Reconsider the Situation
Stressful things will happen, and we can’t always avoid stress, but we have to get into the mindset of reappraising a situation. We can learn how to handle things better when we look back and constructively criticize the events. When we look at something from a new angle, we can find new solutions to the problem. If you are feeling constantly overwhelmed, undertaking what is called positive cognitive reappraisal can help you to analyze the opportunities presented by the stress so you can really just your coping mechanisms in a more positive light.
Stop Stressing About the Past
The past is in the past, and when we start to stress about things that have happened, for example, lost hours of sleep, it’s vital to remember that if we become resentful of the fact that we’ve lost sleep and that it’s going to stop us from functioning properly, this will not help. Negativity will activate your brain’s stress circuits, which means that worrying is going to make it even harder to go to sleep. While it’s important to not give up on practical ways to sleep, we shouldn’t fixate on these things. Instead, look for the best natural sleep aid that works for you. More sleep means less stressing about the past and this will allow for a happier parent.
Stress is part of the journey, but it is important to address our attitudes to it.
