Handle #MomStress Like a Boss

Handle #MomStress Like a Boss

Stress. 

We all have it to one degree or another in our lives. Small amounts of stress have been found to be beneficial, but when stress gets out of control, we suffer. If you're a mom, that means your family suffers, too. When stress is running rampant in our lives, there is no way our significant others and kids won't feel the impact, too.

The effects of stress are far-reaching, having both mental and physical implications. It can affect our health, our memory, attitude, relationships and MORE.  It makes us less able to cope with life's little upsets. 

Here's a primer on the effects of stress:

To Every Problem, a Solution

To every problem, there is a solution. Breathing is an important first step in conquering stress and anxiety.  How we breathe influences our brain chemistry and hence, how we feel.

Here's some information on stress and breathing from our past article on teaching kids to calm down:

When we become stressed, we often breathe very shallow, filling our chests with air.  Deep breathing requires that we fill our bellies with our breath.  We should actually feel our diaphragm expand and contract when we do it right.  For kids, we can tell them to pretend they have a balloon in their belly that is filling with air when they breathe in, and that it deflates when they breathe out.  Demonstrate and practice with them, how to take deep breaths and exhale.  Encourage kids to hold to their hands on their bellies to feel them expand when they are first learning how to do this.  Repeat several times.

I have yet to meet anyone who hasn't felt somewhat better after learning how to breathe more effectively and "breathe through" stressful situations. The problem is, we often don't stop long enough to actually try it! 

Graphic floral image by freepik.com.

Below you'll find a five minute video that actually walks you through a breathing exercise by following their visual and breathing in time with it. Bookmark this post and come back whenever you need to slow down, breathe and relax! I LOVE this video, which serves as a guide to more mindful breathing, and plan on using it in session when teaching kids and teens how to breathe to calm down! You can do this along with your own kids and create a more peaceful home! Try it!

Use the visual aid in the video below 
to help you inhale and exhale more deeply, 
which, when done routinely, can help you calm down.

Let us know what you think!

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Wendy Young, LMSW, BCD, is  the founder of Kidlutions and co-author of BLOOM: 50 Things to Say, Think and Do with Anxious, Angry and Over-the-Top Kids. She is the creator of numerous workbooks and resources to help from the preschool through the teen years. Follow her on Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook! She'd love to see your smiling face there!