BETCHA You Can Become a Stress Conquering Mom

Tip #1 -- BREATHE

Your breath is the pathway to healing your body, calming your mind, conquering your stress and coping with your kids. Conscious breathing improves focus and concentration, allowing access to inner wisdom and intuition when you encounter a stressful situation. When your mind is calm, you can make more effective coping decisions. When you feel stressed, start by taking one or two deep breaths—comfortably, not necessarily 100% full. Try breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth slowly. Feel your abdomen rise and fall as you breathe in and out. Feel where the relaxation starts in your body and allow it to spread, continuing to breathe normally and comfortably. When you want to deepen the calm feeling, you can try another deep breath.

Tip #2 -- EVALUATE

Now that you are calm, you can focus more clearly on the situation at hand. Pay attention to your thoughts and emotions. Ask yourself these questions: What am I thinking and feeling about these circumstances. How do I usually cope when I am stressed? Take a moment to evaluate how your typical coping strategies have worked in the past. How do you think they might work now? Are there other supports or skills you need?

Tip #3 -- THINK

Next take time to think about the facts of the situation. Sometimes things are happening fast, especially when kids are involved. Practicing thinking about what is going on will become more automatic over time. As you think, continue to notice your thoughts and feelings. Your awareness will help you to know what to do. Think about some coping options. Is this a situation similar to something you have handled successfully before? Think clearly about what you want to accomplish. Intentions and motivations play an important role in making choices. Your intuition is a part of your thinking process too. Gut feelings can help you recognize your intentions and select a strategy.

Tip #4 -- CHOOSE

When you have evaluated what is going on, have paid attention to your thoughts and feelings; have thought about your options, and have used your intuition to recognize what you want to accomplish, you are ready to choose a coping strategy. Matching motivation to strategy gives greater potential for an effective outcome.

Tip #5--“HEART” APPROACH

Notice ideas that seem to come from an inner sense of knowing what is right. This is the “heart approach.” Including your “heart” or “gut feeling” when thinking about how to handle a stressful situation helps you transcend negative emotions and choose wisely. This is particularly important when the kids are driving you mad. Using the “heart approach” along with factual evaluation of the situation will prepare you for the most effective action.

Tip #6 -- ACT APPROPRIATELY

If you have calmed yourself with some good breaths; have taken time to think; have evaluated the situation; have added the centering influence of your heart; and are clear about your feelings and intentions, you are now prepared to take appropriate action.

As you get more familiar with them you will find them readily available. You can use them in any order that is most helpful. Trust that the BETCHA steps will take you into new territory of learning to live life calmly and wisely, and find more effectiveness and satisfaction in being a stress-conquering Mom!

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• About Stress Management
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• Stress Management: Your Options
• Stress Management: How Social Workers Help
• Stress Management Tip Sheets
• Resources for Stress Management
• Stress Management Real Life Stories

Bette J. Freedson, LICSW, LCSW, CGP is the author of the "Relax and Learn Seminars: Skills For All Seasons,” a repertoire of workshops based on the principles of effective stress management. In her work Ms. Freedson emphasizes the power of the mind/body connection to improve decision-making, increase effective coping, reduce time wasted in conflict, boost morale and productivity at work, and create greater harmony in relationships. Ms. Freedson practices clinical social work at The Listening Place in Lynn, Massachusetts. Besides maintaining an additional private practice in South Berwick, Maine, Bette is Social Work consultant to Maine School Administrative District #35.