Simple at Home Stress Relievers

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As nice as it is to be at home with the kids, it can certainly be very stressful.��The noise never stops, you can’t go to the loo on your own and it’s impossible to get away – sometimes when you really need�to.� It’s easy to get into the habit of yelling (guilty!), and generally tearing ones hair out!� At the same time – you can’t always jump in the car and go for a drive, or go for a 1/2 hours walk around the block, so here are some suggestions for some simple at home stress relievers!

Code Yellow:

• Crank up the lavender oil in the oil burner.� The smell really does help – if you have a headache rub a tiny amount on your temples.
• Make yourself a coffee or tea, ignore the crying and yelling, and just stop and enjoy your cuppa.� Even 10 minutes is sometimes enough to restore some sanity.
• Many women (and men!) say that housework is a good stress reliever! If you have that inclination, maybe start with your own bedroom and make it a real sanctuary away from the rest of the home.� Knowing that you will leave the ‘disaster zone’ for a calm and clean room with crisp sheets could be just the thing to pep you up!

Code Orange:

• Do you have an exercise DVD at home – maybe yoga or zumba? – crank it out.� Sometimes the kids are stressed too – get them dancing with you – no doubt you will all be smiling by the end of it.� My kids think it’s HILARIOUS when Mum tries to dance – and their smiles make me smile to!
• Put on your favourite music – and crank it.� I’m quite partial to The Prodigy when I’m stressed.� Music soothes the savage beast.
• Put a kids movie on – sit down the with the kids and watch it – right the way through! �Kids just want their parents to spend time with them – it’s good for them, and good for you.

Code Red:

• Close to boiling point?� Time to ring a friend or neighbour�to come around – tell them to bring chocolate.� Having a friend to talk to can really take the stress out of a situation, and it’s good to get it off your chest.� If you have someone you trust, see if they can watch the kids whilst you take a walk to let off some steam – even if it’s only to walk around your garden a few times!
• Really focus on what is causing the stress and write down ways it might be overcome. Remember – one step at a time.� The kids are driving you crazy – maybe schedule in some time at the local park.� Financial stress?� Sort out your finances so you know where you stand or see a Financial Councellor. Stress can be overcome, sometimes even just the action of writing it down can make a difference.

What do you do to relieve stress when your stuck at home?

Clare Whitfield Chief Editor

Clare Whitfield is the Editor of Stay at Home Mum and a recognised voice in practical home management for Australian families. Based in the northern suburbs of Sydney, she balances editorial leadership with life as a stay at home mum to two school age children. Her background in home economics and more than a decade of experience in recipe development, family budgeting, and household systems inform her work.

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