Terri Ramsey Beavers If you are having a hard time coping with family stress at home, then you are not alone. So many people struggle with this, but believe it or not, there are things you can do to try and ease the emotions you’re experiencing.
Know your Cues
The first thing you need to do is know your stress cues. When you are stressed, do you get short-tempered? Forgetful? Clumsy? If you can make yourself aware of how you behave when emotions are running high, then this will help you more than you realise. Observe your kids as well as your family members for signs of stress, and ask that they do the same for you. Sometimes, it may be that your kids notice stress cues before you do. If this is the case, then you can work together as a family to make sure that everyone is given the support they need.
Do Something Fun
It’s also important that you make time for fun. Take time out of your day to do something meaningful and relaxing. Get your family involved too, so everyone can de-stress. It may be that you go out on a family walk or that you simply have a few drinks on your porch and watch the sunset. Either way, by making time for relaxing activities such as this, you can be sure to reduce your stress levels.
Practice Deep Breathing
When you start to become anxious and stressed, practice some deep breathing exercises. If you can do this, you will be able to keep your mind focused and you will also be able to control your breathing much more too. This may sound silly but teach your kids how to do it as well, so you can incorporate family breaks throughout the day. The more you can practice exercises like this, the easier it will be for you to tap into them when you need them the most.
Don’t Skip out on Sleep
A lot of experts say that those who get 8 hours of sleep a day, end up being less stressed. If you aren’t sleeping enough, then it is a good idea for you to try and nap in the afternoon so you can catch up. Some people find that a 15-minute nap during the day helps to refresh them. If this is the case for you then make sure that you incorporate it into your schedule. Just try not to fall asleep during the afternoon too much because if you do then you may end up missing out on valuable sleep at night and this is the last thing you need.
Accept Your Emotions
It’s perfectly fine for you to feel sad, stressed or even anxious. Noticing emotions such as this and giving them a name will help you to feel more compassionate. You can also help your children to accept any emotions they may be experiencing as well. Make sure that you give your children lots of hugs and that you also understand the emotional needs of your family members. When a crisis happens, you may find that your priorities shift, and this is understandable. That being said, you still need to make sure that you are giving a lot of thought to those around you. If you are having a hard time at home because you are overwhelmed caring for a relative, then it may be time for you to look into a nursing home. If you are concerned about abuse or them not being cared for, then remember you can always count on the Nursing Home Abuse Center to give you the support you need.
Conserve your Energy
You need to make sure that you conserve your energy for the things that you can control. At the end of the day, sometimes things happen and you can’t do anything about them. Instead of wasting your time, energy and sometimes money on “what ifs”- focus instead on the things you can change. If you can do this then you will soon see a positive change. Make sure that you are relying on your support system if you feel as though you are going through a hard time and ask for help if you need it. If you can do this then you will soon find that it is easier than ever for you to feel much more connected and that you end up being able to take better care of your mental health.
Remember that in any situation, laughter is the best medicine. Humour is a fantastic way for you to relieve stress and it can also help you with your general well-being.