Stress Management Tips for Parents Juggling It All

In many locales around the US, school is either back in session or parents are preparing for the start. With the influx of homework assignments, last-minute projects, and classroom drama comes the stress of juggling a home life, career, responsibilities, errands, housework, cooking, laundry, and health. It can seem impossible.

Before you pull your hair out, read on to learn more about some stress management tips you can try today. Make this school year the smoothest yet.

Stress Management Tips for Parents

Do not allow this new school year to provide you with an upgrade to your stress level. There are several stress management tips you can adapt to fit into your schedule.

Take Deep Breaths

Did you know that your breathing becomes shallow when stressed or anxious? When you are not breathing deeply enough, you are not getting enough oxygen into your lungs, brain, and bloodstream. You may feel lightheaded as your body works to calm the panicky sensation beginning to build.

Take a few minutes during the day to sit still and close your eyes. Take a deep breath through your nose and allow your lungs to expand fully. Slowly release your breath through your mouth. Repeat a few more times until you feel calmer.

Get Organized

Living a chaotic, unorganized life will contribute to stress. If you are a completely disorganized person, it may take time to learn the skills necessary for organization and time management, but these skills will last you a lifetime. Plus, you can teach your children how to keep their environments clutter-free, organize their belongings and projects, and meet deadlines.

You will need an annual planner to “brain dump” your responsibilities, appointments, kids’ schedules, games, and events into the calendar section. You can also use the weekly portion of a planner to keep track of expenses such as gasoline, grocery trips, and bill payments. When you feel comfortable using a planner for significant events, the daily section is excellent for reporting personal items like your water intake, food intake, and household chores.

Prioritize Your Time

We spend more time spinning our wheels doing things that do not contribute to our priorities. How often do you find yourself scrolling through social media instead of folding laundry or making a menu before grocery shopping? The truth is that we only have so much time in our day, and people who are more productive than we are have the same amount of time, but they choose to take care of their priorities first.

You need time to rest and recharge, but make sure you balance rest well with your responsibilities. Are you relaxing, or are you procrastinating? Procrastination will lead to more stress.

Step Back from Screens and Devices

Technology is great and makes our lives easier. When it comes to school, we can communicate with our children’s teachers, check assignments and grades, and provide our children with resources for research. But too much time spent in front of a screen does not help with our mental health, especially if you also use devices throughout your work day like your cell phone and computer.

As technology further advances, we find we can accomplish more at a faster pace. But how long can we maintain this pace before we burn out?

We do not realize how much time we spend in front of screens. We work with computers, phones, and tablets and then turn to televisions, game consoles, and e-readers in the evenings and weekends. Is there a way you can take a step back from your device usage? Aim for a “no screen zone” during at least the last two hours before bed.

Be Loving, But Firm

As a parent, we want to give our children good gifts. We need to remember that trying to please our children (and other people) or keeping up with the material possessions of our neighbors will only sow discontentment and cause further stress. That means you may need to say no to your children to maintain peace. You can say it lovingly but firmly.

Stress works to rob you of your peace, but placing too much pressure on yourself to acquire material possessions can leave you feeling empty and possibly in debt. Talk with your children about when gifts should be given, saving for large purchases, and earning special items for a job well done.

Create Boundaries

Stress also follows when we become overwhelmed with volunteer responsibilities. We all want to help organizations, especially where our children are concerned. But if you are trying to work full time, maintain a home, run errands, pay bills, have a fulfilling marriage, run the concession stand during athletic games, organize fundraising for dance recitals, and fulfill the role of secretary for the school’s Parent-Teacher Association, you might be trying to do too much.

Creating boundaries is healthy. It draws a line – not to alienate people or organizations, but to promote peace in your life. Less stress means more peace. You will need to practice thanking people for thinking of you for a specific role, but you need to scale back for your own health.

Spend Time in Prayer

Sometimes it is necessary to reset yourself with prayer before you can resume your role as a parent. If you are out of sorts in your spiritual life, the stress can overtake you like the floodwaters overtaking a small boat. Prayer opens the doorway between your spirit and God. If you want peace, plead the name of Jesus over your life and family.

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace. – Numbers 6:24-26, NIV

Build Emotional Resilience

Emotional resilience is managing a crisis or overwhelming circumstances without hurting yourself and others. The more emotional resilience you have built, the stronger you are mentally when faced with a new storm, and the more quickly you may be in overcoming situations. Often, this type of resilience is based on past experiences and hurts.

When you come to a place internally where you can see how a bad experience shaped you or taught you a lesson, then you are becoming emotionally resilient. Ask yourself, “What positive thing have I learned from this? How does /will this serve my character in the future? How can I help others with what I have learned in this season?”

Adopt a Healthier Lifestyle

Take a good look at your current lifestyle to ease anxiety and stress. Do you eat healthy foods or primarily processed and fast foods? Do you spend at least some time exercising and working your heart? These questions may seem simple, but practicing a healthier lifestyle can prevent diseases, extend life expectancy, promote calmness, and build confidence.

Make small changes at first. Try choosing healthier foods for breakfast for one week, then add a healthier option for lunch the following week. You can begin by walking around your block for a week before attempting a few laps around the neighborhood. Small baby steps will lead to dramatic results if you stay consistent.

Make Bedtime a Smoother Transition

You can avoid stress in the mornings before school if you prepare before bedtime. Create a routine with your children that will eliminate decisions in the morning when you are half awake. For example, your routine might include cooking and eating dinner, cleaning the kitchen, packing lunches and snacks, laying out clothes for school and work for the next day, packing backpacks, and bath time.

Try to start your bedtime routine as early in the evening as possible so that no one feels rushed. Make sure you stick to a bedtime that will give you and your children plenty of time for restful sleep.

Not Sure Where to Find Support?

Did you try the stress management tips but still feel pulled in different directions? You are not meant to shoulder every responsibility, but what happens when you do not have anyone to help? Or you cannot find a local support group? Seek professional help when you need it. Stress can impact your mental health, leading to emotional and physical problems. Reach out to our office today to speak with a counselor, and kick stress to the curb.