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Yesterday, as the sky was turning periwinkle and orange while the sun set, I picked up my phone and called the Husband.
I was calm and quiet as I asked, “When. Are. You. Coming. Home?“. Slow, deliberate, serious.
And with that simple question, the Husband instantly knew I had reached the end of my rope.
Sometimes, and it feels silly to say this, but Motherhood can be just irrationally stressful.
- Bananas smashed into freshly cleaned carpet. (maybe we should just buy that rented Rug-Doctor)
- A diaper stripped and thrown to the side while a naked little boy takes off down the hallway, looking for something to destroy (he found shampoo, by the way).
- Cloudy fish water because a certain Kidlet took it upon herself to “feed” her Betas with an ENTIRE BAG OF FOOD!
- And, of course, the endless chorus of “No, No, No, No, No, No, NOOOOOOO!” from the 5 year old, the 3 year old, and from the 18 month old … who is an over-achiever and has entered the Terrible Twos six months early.
Add to this our nightly routine of interrupted sleep. I deal with Baby Barney at least 3 times a night and my Husband handles the Little Lady, who wakes at least once a night.
We’re tired. Overwhelmed. Stressed.
(and this is just us dealing with Parenthood… never mind house closings, tax season, and every thing else that goes on in the grown-up world)
Stress. Anyone else feeling it? It’s not just us, right?
Meet Your Calm: Finding Ways to Combat Stress
My Husband stopped me in my tracks — literally. Putting his arms around me, the man looked me in the eyes and said, “You need to breathe and you need to find a way to de-stress.”
(he’s so astute)
So, what works for me?
1. Getting Physical — as I’ve worked the past 6 weeks to lose weight, I’ve learned that physical activity (for me, either running or strength training) helps tremendously in my battle against stress. As endorphins are released and my heart rate gets pumping, I forget about the negative aspects of a day. I breathe. And I stretch tight muscles. 30-40 minutes later, I have a new outlook.
2. Reading a Little Something — ok, so maybe this is the English teacher in me, but reading has always been a natural relaxant for this girl. Picking up a novel or grabbing a piece of non-fiction takes me away from my world of immediate problems and pressures. Daydreams about Mr. Darcy, anyone?
3. Taking Vitamins and Herbs — there is nothing wrong with making sure your body has all the nutrients and herbal supplements needed to naturally combat stress and boost your body’s ability handle it all.
Did you know …
Your adrenal glands release hormones in response to stress, so making sure your adrenal glands are functioning well is essential to combating stress. Holy Basil can help support your adrenal glands by maintaining equilibrium within the body’s stress system.
Consider what can help your body resist stress before it takes over. Schis andra berries provide powerful antioxidant protection and support mental endurance, nourishing the body’s natural defenses and reinforcing overall resistance to stress.
Beyond the physical implications, stress can have negative effects on your emotions. Rhodiola root helps support a healthy mood by normalizing cortisol levels and other stress-related hormones.
Stress can zap your energy. Rather than worry about how to create more, focus on conserving the energy you have. Ashwagandha supports your ability to conserve energy by rejuvenating your entire system, especially the endocrine and immune systems.
Restful sleep is essential to achieving optimal health, yet it’s a necessity often overlooked when trying to combat stress. Wild Oats contain relaxing properties that support your nervous system, promoting relaxation after a stressful day.
Meet YOUR Calm with Gaia Herbs {giveaway}
Gaia Herbs provides these stress-reducing herbs, along with countless other herbal supplements to help your body and mind stay healthy.
And, I think I need to stockpile the five I mentioned … at least through the teenage years.
Interested in trying them? Here’s a giveaway for you! One winner will receive a $100 Amazon gift card and a $100 Gaia gift-basket. Enter using the Rafflecopter form below!
This post was inspired by Gaia Herbs. Meet your calm prize pack provided by Gaia Herbs. Compensation and Amazon Gift Card provided by Brandfluential.com.
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About Rachel Lacy
My name is Rachel -- I share tales about food and family. I'm a home-cook who focuses on fresh & simple meals to both fuel us and to help us celebrate our family-life. My day starts with coffee. Lots of coffee. 
Monday - Corn Casserole, Pepper Steak, Salad
Tuesday - 
I struggle to manage my stress in order to control my health conditions and, more importantly, I have a small child who is observing me and learning from me how to handle her world.
Oh Rachel. I so know the feeling of ” Husband, COME HOME NOW PLEASE”
As you know, my biggest stress inducer is my kiddo’s medical problems.
It’s difficult to push it aside, when I’m the “Home health nurse” in addition to being mom.
Sometimes I just gotta get away! So I’ll feed the kids (husband too), bathe them, and get them *this close* to going to bed, then head out the door for a stroll through Target, while the hubs puts the kids to bed. LOVE IT!!!
Reasons I need stress relief:
3 kids.
1 blog.
1 full time job.
1 submitted application for re-entry to college.
Yup, that’s about it.
Could totally use some stress relief these days! My super sweet 2-year-old is showing monster tendencies!!!
Stress must be my middle name. I have struggled for years on how to combat my stressful ways, but it is so overwhelming at times I make bad choices on dealing with it, so herbal supplements may be the key to me finding more balance. I absolutely love your blog and your kidlets are toooo cute!
I know all about that stress! I don’t understand why my son thinks that the whining gets him anywhere and he can sit there and literally do it for an hour! I mean why?! HE could be off playing and doing something fun instead he has decided to try and break me down like a mini terrorists lol!
I’m constantly feeling stressed these days. It seems so hard to keep it under control sometimes, and I don’t want to yell all of the time or teach my sons that it is an approprate reaction. So hard though.. especially when you feel like you’re constantly juggling.
I struggle to manage stress and my kids have been out of control crazy lately, my 4 year old has the attitude of a teenager and my toddler is quickly learning her sisters ways
I would love some ideas and new ways to manage stress! Four kids(8, 6, 3 and 6 months) plus a husband in the military(o, and breastfeeding around the clock). Life can get a little(who am I kidding) alot hectic. I tend to bottle up stress now because I don’t ever seem to have time to figure out what to do/use and actually do it. I do manage to add an additional 20-30 minute shower with “stress relieving” body wash when my hubsband is home and isn’t training. That seems to help:) If nothing else I atleast smell human!!
omg… I need this today. my 5 year old has pushed me to the edge!
I would love some ideas and new ways to manage stress! Four kids(8, 6, 3 and 6 months) plus a husband in the milllitary(o, and breastfeeding around the clock). Life can get a little(who am I kidding) alot hectic. I tend to bottle up stress now because I don’t ever seem to have time to figure out what to do/use and actually do it. I do manage to add an additional 20-30 minute shower with “stress relieving” body wash when my hubsband is home and isn’t training. That seems to help:) If nothing else I atleast smell human!!
I love my children but they’re my main source of stress. I have a 7 year old with ADHD and a 5 year old that is all boy. Sometimes I just need a few minutes away from them to regroup and then I can go back to dealing with them.
I am struggling to handle stress better so that I can be a better example for both my kiddos…
Yes. Please. I just realized that this weekend is commitment free. I’m giddy. I’ve been wound so tight these last few weeks running from one thing to another. I’d love to try the Gaia herbs…I’m a big fan of their elderberry syrup!
I feel like I’m always asking my husband when he’s coming home. Having three children is hard.
I need streaa relief because I teach…middle school…6th,7th& 8th math…at an alternative program for children who have been in trouble, are troubled and are still causing trouble. It’s truly a calling but is still challenging.
Mom of 5. Nuff said!
Reading and exercising works good for me!
I love Holy Basil. Such great benefits. With a child with autism I know what stress is and and my adrenals are SHOT!
I would say the biggest stress in my life right now is my daughter’s schedule. Scheduling meals and family activities around her after school responsibilities, music practice, homework, etc.
I try to reduce the stress, but prioritizing what needs to be done, and by making a weekly scheduele and making sure everyone is aware of the schedule.
I help relieve my stress with a nice hot bath and a good book
I have a very stressful parent who I try to manage but do not always do well at that. I want to set a good example for my daughter but I also hate the feeling of being stressed.
Sometimes just “intentionally breathing” helps me. I can feel the weight lift off.
full time student plus full time work between 2 low paying jobs. i dont sleep i stress.
I read a lot. A. Lot. Mostly it is stress caused by the unemployment of my husband.
I’ve been trying to manage stress with essential oils
Such great tips for dealing with Stress.