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Work, kids, laundry, news, social media, dishes, husband — the list is never-ending. When will you ever find time for yourself in the midst of all of the madness? Life is stressful. It's chaotic. Nerves can get the best of you, and, at times, you can be unfairly impatient with your family.
Free time can be scarce. But for sanity’s sake, you must find it on the daily. Whether you garden, listen to music, journal or join a tennis team, finding a happy place will help you become a more relaxed, patient and happy parent.
Get Aquatic
The calming effects of water are unequivocal. For centuries, doctors have sent people to the beach or on long water voyages to cure their illnesses. Think of your happy place. Do you see yourself on the beach, lake or stream?
Sure, you probably can’t just drop everything and vacation to the shore or mountains. But a relaxing water source can be right outside your window.
A swimming pool can help restore your mind, body, and soul (and the kids will love it too). Treading water offers a peaceful sense of well-being and liberates your mind from constant daily pressures. Easily install a portable aboveground pool to help rehab your soul with daily rhythmic swims.
Listen to a Tune
The power of music is linked to our emotions and can be a quick and easy stress-relieving tool. Classical music has been proven to slow the pulse, lower blood pressure and decrease stress.
Classical music isn't for everyone; any type of genre can create an emotional escape and provide calming effects especially if you are in some great loungewear. I personally love lounge pants that are ridiculously soft and feel like a second skin.
Playing an instrument can also ignite passion, accomplishment, enjoyment, and empowerment. Pick up an acoustic guitar or keyboard and check out beginner lessons on YouTube to start your new, liberating hobby.
Team Up
Allay stresses and free your mind by releasing mood-boosting hormones (endorphins) through exercise. Get out and be active to achieve the au natural “runner’s high.”
Release built-up tension and create a necessary diversion from the ever-present worries of the day-to-day.
Exercise is a social outlet too. Join a soccer league, participate on a tennis team or sign up for that Latin dancing class to meet new people and work out those worries.
Flowers and plants are given at the most joyous occasions in life. Creating your own beautiful garden can be the best form of stress release.
Gardening burns calories, as well as reduces anxiety, stress, and depression. Above all, gardening creates a physical connection with the earth and offers a chance to get creative with placement, color, aroma, and accessories. Dig in and get your hands dirty.
Write It Out
Clarify your thoughts through the power of the written word. Whether you choose to write in a leather-bound journal or create a blog to share with others, writing can cleanse your mind and sweep away your worries.
You don't necessarily have to express personal thoughts — start a novel or children’s book that has been locked in the back of your mind. Even copy down inspiring quotes or funny jokes.
Krystle Cook – the creator of Home Jobs by MOM – put her psychology degree on a shelf and dived into a pile of diapers and dishes instead. She is a wife and mother to two rambunctious boys, sweating it out in her Texas hometown. She loves cooking, DIY home projects, and family fun activities.
Hi Krystle Gardening and writing are up there in my list for ways to relax for sure. And as far as getting aquatic…something as simple as a bubble bath works for me. 🙂
Wonderful tips Krystal. I’m a big fan of journaling but for me the most important thing I do for myself is to make time to get outside. I walk my dog, job and enjoy my morning coffee on my deck watching the sun rise over Haleakala here in Maui – that does it for me every time. 🙂
I agree that time out should be prioritised. I do not swim often but the last time I swam I went into my own world. My body was relieved of aches and pains and I switched off.
I also enjoy relaxing in the bath but due to having young children this happens very rarely.
I strongly believe that water has soothing effect on .. specially me. I do not know, in what state I enter when I catch the look of the water( for sure not in glass 🙂 ) I forget about everything and listen to the sound of rushing waves and try to read what they are trying to tell by coming to the edges. It relaxes me and takes me away from the stress and worries. I think being pieces water has special meaning for me.
I agree with most of the points but not about music. I was fond of music in past and like it but from the time I heard that if we listen to worldly music we will not be able to hear the music of heaven. I try to avoid as much as possible. I know you will be surprised to read this but this is what I try to stick too now and stay away from music as much as possible. But still I am a human.
I am a seasonal happy place finder – in the winter, I love my woodstove that has a glass door allowing me to watch the fire – sitting back there listening to soft music while reading a book or browsing through magazines, you just have to mellow out. In the summer it is my gardening – again going out there first thing in the morning when there isn’t a sound around and you can talk to or pat the plants without being laughed at, life can’t be better than that. Unfortunately those things aren’t always possible for the working parent who probably need it more than I do., but you are so right, they do need to find that happy place and relax. Wonderful post.
Being a seasonal happy place finder is a great way to do it! Sitting by a nice fire in the winter sounds very soothing. I kind of wish it was winter now. Oh, well it will be back before we know it.
Stress relief for me includes everything that you mention! I love listening to classical music on Sunday mornings, and swimming has long been a way for me to shut out the world. Of course, I write but that can be stressful! LOL So I would only add reading as a stress reliever. I love crawling into another world through the beauty of words.
One of my favorite ways to relax is to sit in a hot tub with headphones on listening to music while looking up at the sky. Combines the first two of your suggestions.
You provided beautiful choices for mother’s and women alike. I particularly like the “writing it out” as it gives us an avenue to unearth deeper emotions that sometimes we can’t express. Thank you for this post.
Thanks Mahal! I often like to write things out when something is really bothering me. It helps me sleep. Otherwise, I just play things over and over in my head.
How Much Does a Move Cost?
These are all great ideas. I like to do counted cross stitch sometimes to relax.
I’ve never cross stitched much. I remember my mom teaching me when I was little. She used to do it to pass time.
Hi Krystle
Gardening and writing are up there in my list for ways to relax for sure. And as far as getting aquatic…something as simple as a bubble bath works for me. 🙂
Now that sounds good…a nice relaxing bubble bath. That would sure make me decompress!
Wonderful tips Krystal. I’m a big fan of journaling but for me the most important thing I do for myself is to make time to get outside. I walk my dog, job and enjoy my morning coffee on my deck watching the sun rise over Haleakala here in Maui – that does it for me every time. 🙂
Sounds amazing!! I think just being in Maui would be my happy place 🙂
Awesome Choice you.ve listed.
To relax I watch Tv Dramas, listen to classical music and read blogs
Great list! My son loves listening to classical music too. I think its soothing for him.
I agree that time out should be prioritised. I do not swim often but the last time I swam I went into my own world. My body was relieved of aches and pains and I switched off.
I also enjoy relaxing in the bath but due to having young children this happens very rarely.
I hear you. Alone time is very rare with children. Soaking in a nice bath is amazing!
I strongly believe that water has soothing effect on .. specially me. I do not know, in what state I enter when I catch the look of the water( for sure not in glass 🙂 )
I forget about everything and listen to the sound of rushing waves and try to read what they are trying to tell by coming to the edges. It relaxes me and takes me away from the stress and worries.
I think being pieces water has special meaning for me.
I agree with most of the points but not about music. I was fond of music in past and like it but from the time I heard that if we listen to worldly music we will not be able to hear the music of heaven. I try to avoid as much as possible. I know you will be surprised to read this but this is what I try to stick too now and stay away from music as much as possible. But still I am a human.
Maybe the water is so relaxing to a lot of people because it’s womb like? Who knows but I find it soothing as well!
I am a seasonal happy place finder – in the winter, I love my woodstove that has a glass door allowing me to watch the fire – sitting back there listening to soft music while reading a book or browsing through magazines, you just have to mellow out. In the summer it is my gardening – again going out there first thing in the morning when there isn’t a sound around and you can talk to or pat the plants without being laughed at, life can’t be better than that.
Unfortunately those things aren’t always possible for the working parent who probably need it more than I do., but you are so right, they do need to find that happy place and relax.
Wonderful post.
Being a seasonal happy place finder is a great way to do it! Sitting by a nice fire in the winter sounds very soothing. I kind of wish it was winter now. Oh, well it will be back before we know it.
Stress relief for me includes everything that you mention! I love listening to classical music on Sunday mornings, and swimming has long been a way for me to shut out the world. Of course, I write but that can be stressful! LOL So I would only add reading as a stress reliever. I love crawling into another world through the beauty of words.
Being able to escape into a book sounds relaxing Jacqueline. I’ve never had much of an imagination though.
When I’m stressed I find it helpful to lie down on my bed for a little while (and maybe take a catnap, depending on how tired I might be).
Sounds relaxing to me Andy! Just being in my bed with my pillows helps me too.
One of my favorite ways to relax is to sit in a hot tub with headphones on listening to music while looking up at the sky. Combines the first two of your suggestions.
Sounds so nice! My husband would be jealous of you Ken, He’s been wanting a hot tub forever to relax in.
You provided beautiful choices for mother’s and women alike. I particularly like the “writing it out” as it gives us an avenue to unearth deeper emotions that sometimes we can’t express. Thank you for this post.
Thanks Mahal! I often like to write things out when something is really bothering me. It helps me sleep. Otherwise, I just play things over and over in my head.
I can’t disagree with any of those and am especially fond of swimming and writing as an escape from stress that may creep in to my life.
I hear ya Tim.I wish I could swim more. There’s just something so relaxing about the rocking of water. As long as you don’t get sea sick LOL.
Yes yes yes I so agree
What do you do to relax Jo Anne?