10 Ways to Destress When the Kids Are Off to Bed
We all know how important it is for adults to de-stress. It keeps our minds fresh and healthy, helps us cope with pressures from work and home, and ultimately improves our quality of life. The tricky part comes when we must find ways to de-stress when the kids are in bed or about to go there. For most parents, that can make things pretty tricky! But don’t worry – this isn’t a “you’re screwed…again” type of blog post. You can do plenty of things as a busy parent to de-stress when the kids are off to bed. These strategies can help ease your stress and give you back some balance in your life, so you feel more like yourself again.
Exercise
No, this isn’t about going to the gym – although if you have the time for that, go for it! When the kids are in bed, you don’t have to break a sweat in a health club – you can go outside and walk around the neighborhood. This can be a great way to get some fresh air and exercise while simultaneously relieving stress. You can also get your heart rate up while inside, lowering stress levels. If you can’t walk around the neighborhood, try some beginner yoga poses or dance around the house while blasting music.
Write a To-Do List
Do you have a to-do list that is always on your mind and can never get done? This is a great way to take your mind off of it! While the kids are in bed, take the time to write down everything you need to get done. This could be both personal and work-related tasks. It’s essential to get them off your mind and written down so you can let them go. Then, when you’re done, put the list away and don’t look at it again until the next day. This will help you create a clean slate for the next day and ensure that you aren’t worrying about everything you must do again when trying to de-stress.
Meditate
When we think of meditation, many imagine sitting on a pillow with incense burning and clearing their thoughts. While that’s all well and good, you don’t have to do that to meditate! Instead, you can do a more informal type of meditation while the kids are in bed – especially if they go to bed early. For instance, try online apps or online podcasts that can guide you through some mental and breathing exercises. This can help you clear your thoughts and focus your energy so you can de-stress and unwind from a long day.
Join the dark side (aka veg out)
Most parents have seen the movie ‘Frozen’ hundreds of times, and their kids have watched it just as much. But when the kids are in bed, you can put on your favorite Disney or Pixar movie and make it an even more pleasurable experience with the added benefit of CBD. This can help you de-stress and relax; it is a safe way to indulge in a little something without feeling repercussions the next day.
Try some self-care
Health and hygiene are a big part of stress reduction; both are important for mental health. Make sure you get enough sleep, eat healthily, and drink lots of water. But other than the basics, making time to lush up your skin, take a bath, and invest in some good manly lotions can not only help you avoid getting sick and being bogged down with health issues but can also alleviate your stress. Remember that you don’t have to do these things all at once – pick one and do it when you have a little extra time. These activities can even improve your mood.
When you are more relaxed and less stressed, you can enjoy your kids more, have more energy, and be a better parent. You can also better handle life’s challenges and be more productive at work and home. So try a few techniques to help you de-stress when the kids are in bed!
