Respect Your Body - Invest In Yourself - Commit To Your Health

Everyone has stress.  It comes at us from all directions.  I am a mom, so I have kid stress, spouse stress, house stress, work stress, financial stress, etc.  As a mother, it is very easy to put myself last.  But, if I destroy my health by making unnecessary sacrifices for my family, I am robbing them and teaching them to put themselves last.  If you destroy your health, your children and spouse are going to be the ones to suffer.  Stress trickles down.  You are not the only one who is effected.  If you aren’t coping with stress well, I guarantee your family is suffering.  So take control and learn how to manage your stress.  Some tangible ways to start are by eating healthier, getting enough exercise and rest.

You are responsible for teaching your children how to live a balanced life.  Be a positive role model.
*  You can’t be involved in everything. Learn how to say “no” with love.  For example, “I can’t fit that into my schedule right now.”
*  Establish a quiet time with your family.  Even if it is just for 10 minutes.  Make a point to be quiet so you can relax your mind.  Quiet time at my house means no electronics: no t.v., no noise games and toys, no computer.  Theses are boundaries I have set for my family so we can recharge. 
*  Enjoy the present moment.  Practice mindfulness. 
*  Learn how to breathe again, with your belly, not your chest (“stress breathing”). 
*  Make it a point to laugh at least ten times a day.  Purposefully take a few minutes and read the funnies, or find something that makes you giggle and do that. Laughter can heal.  Google it.

One of the ways I take care of myself is by being involved in Stroller Strides.  It helps me teach my daughter the importance of healthy habits, like exercise.  Stroller Strides provides a workout for me that I can do with my daughter.  She is involved, constantly learning, and emulates what I do.  I love it when she tries to do push ups on the table, or grabs my exercise bands and raises them above her head.  Stroller Strides is also making available the Get Fit Challenge where nutrition ideas and inspirational information will be provided.  Another tool I can use to take care of myself, which in turn helps me take care of my family.

The world is full of stresses and most are unavoidable.  Stress causes somewhere between 70-90% of illnesses today.  Think about what it would be like for you if you learned how to manage your reactions to the stress in your life.  I guarantee you will be a more likable person, to those around you and to yourself. 

One thing that has helped me deal with the stress that other people can cause me, is to remember that I can’t control them, BUT, I can control how I react to them.  I am learning to take no blame and no responsibility for the actions of others, especially my family.  People make good and bad choices FOR THEMSELVES everyday.  My choice is to not get involved, other than listening.  Let them learn how to work it out. I add no more stress and I don’t have any guilt.  And eventually, they learn to depend on themselves, learn from their mistakes because they now must live with the consequences that I am not longer rescuing them from. 

Start practicing some of the ideas I have provided, and comment on ones that you have discovered and are practicing. 

You are the only one who can change.  Start today.