Work At Home

6 Quick Pick-Me-Ups for Frazzled Moms

I braced myself as Elijah screamed for the fifth time that day. It was an ear-piercing, I’m-mad-at-you scream; a fit that persisted for over an hour. (Why didn’t someone warn me that the Terrible Two’s for boys is much worse than girls?)

My heart drummed a rhythm all its own in my ears. My breathing quickened and my palms started sweating. I thought I might faint. Oh great, an anxiety attack in the making.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, anxiety disorders affect around 19 million American adults, impacting larger numbers of women than men. As moms, we are nurturers, the life-givers to our children and family. So what happens when we can’t find anything within us left over to give?

It is imperative that we take time for ourselves daily. Once a month, or twice a year simply isn’t enough. In order for us to be better moms, we have to learn to give back to ourselves—refill ourselves. Here are six simple ways to restore and replenish energy:

EAT WELL
According to Dr. Denise Lamothe, author of The Taming of the Chew, protein is essential. Lots of fruits and veggies (organic, if possible) should be included in a mom’s daily diet. Instead of falling into the trap of this diet-minded society, moms should focus on themselves and make their health top priority. Avoid foods like sugar, white flour products, and caffeine. Dr. Lamothe also suggests drinking plenty of clear water, as dehydration and thirst often mask themselves as emotional hunger.

AVOID EMOTIONAL BINGING
Loneliness plays a key role in emotional eating more often than not. “Eating well, getting ample rest, and taking time alone and time to be with friends is vital,” says Dr. Lamothe. “To avoid emotional eating, a mom needs to learn other ways to deal with her emotions -- to soothe herself without turning to chocolates and cookies or pasta.”

Identify the source of your feelings. Why do you feel sad? What makes you feel lonely? When are you most likely to overeat or binge on junk food? Asking yourself questions like these will help you recognize and pinpoint your weak spots.

LAUGH
“Women should laugh as often as possible to release the healing hormones endorphins, the body’s natural pain killers,” says Dr. Kathleen Hall, founder of The Stress Institute. “Laughter lowers blood pressure, reduces stress hormones and boosts our immune function.”

So how do we work that self-healing laughter into our day? Rent a funny movie or, if you don’t have time to watch a movie, set aside time in the evening for your favorite thirty-minute sitcom after the kids are in bed. Buy a funny card to send to a friend, read a joke, make a silly face at yourself in the mirror.

PRACTICE S.E.L.F. CARE
(S=Serenity, E=Exercise, L=Love, F=Food)
“Research tells us these four roots are the foundation of self care and health and moms and women must set a goal to do each of these if for only a few minutes each day,” says Dr. Hall.

Serenity: Center yourself a few minutes during the day. Stop what you’re doing, close your eyes and take a few deep breaths. As you are “quieting” yourself, speak positive affirmations to yourself (I am loved; I am at peace with myself and the world; I accept myself).

Exercise: Park closer to the end of the parking lot at the grocery story and walk those few extra steps to boost your heart rate. Join a thirty-minute workout group or purchase home exercise videos. Invite friends to join you in a three-day per week exercise routine.

Love: “Research tells us that isolation kills and community heals,” says Dr. Hall. Surround yourself with loving friends and family. Thwart stress by avoiding people who thrive on drama. Other ways to practice self-love: buy yourself a bouquet of flowers, treat yourself to a cappuccino, let Daddy baby-sit while you enjoy a Pamper Me day at the spa with your girlfriends.

Food: Dr. Hall says, “Research tells us that B6 produces serotonin and helps depression. Omega 3’s help depression and reduce the risk of heart disease.” Consult your doctor to find out what foods and/or vitamins you should take to enhance your new, healthy lifestyle.

LISTEN TO MUSIC
According to Dr. Hall, listening to music increases serotonin and if you sing along you get an immune boost of 240%. Tune in to your favorite radio station and belt out those favorite tunes while you do housework. Purchase an inexpensive CD player and a few favorite CDs to listen to while you exercise. Treat yourself to tickets to an upcoming concert.

GET CREATIVE
Bring out the artist inside you. Finger paint with your children (which they, of course, will love!), visit a nature park or zoo and bring your camera to take pictures, color in a coloring book, put a puzzle together, create a mini rock garden in your front yard, join a scrapbook class, learn to knit, take a cake-decorating class.

Hope Wilbanks is a mom-writer and -preneur. You can find her at HopeWilbanks.com.