20 Easy Ways A Stressed Mom Can Find Relief

If you are a stressed mom looking for ways to get some relief, I’ll be sharing my top 20 stress-relieving tips below.

As a stay-at-home mom, I’m around my two young children (1 and 4 years old) pretty much all of the time. I know the stress that comes with the mental load of motherhood. I also know that I have tools to help me manage that stress.

My tried and true stress relievers are as follows;

1. Car Rides With Kids’ Audiobooks
2. Priorities and Due Dates List
3. Mom Bedtime Routine
4. Developing Daily Habits with Kids’ Checklists
5. Weekly Schedule Checklist
6. Setting Expectations With Kids
7. Decluttering
8. Exercise
9. Reward Chart For Kids
10. Nourishing Meals and Snacks
11. Massage
12. Fun Family Getaway
13. Yoga
14. Retail Therapy (With Parameters)
15. Personal Development Reading
16. Listening to Music
17. Personal Care
18. Alone Time
19. TV Show Night
20. Stress Box or Stress Journal

I go into detail on each of these items in the next section.

Please note that I am not a medical or mental health professional. I share my personal experience as a stressed mama here and what helps me, but all questions and concerns regarding individual circumstances should be directed to a medical provider or mental healthcare provider.

What Does Stress Feel Like?

I know I am experiencing high stress when I start to feel an ongoing sense of pressure in my chest. I feel like I have to take deep breaths to get enough oxygen. Irritability becomes an everyday state of existence. My mom rage flares up and I feel overwhelmed by the smallest demands.

My primary signs of chronic stress include the following;

• absentmindedness
• digestive issues
• exhaustion
• overwhelm
• irritability
• muscle tension
• anger
• bouts of crying
• sleep disturbances at night
• scattered thoughts
• heightened anxiety

Reasons to Address High Stress Levels

Aside from being a horribly unpleasant experience mentally and emotionally, our bodies are not properly designed to handle chronic stress.

The American Psychological Association outlines all the ways that stress affects the different systems in our bodies. From the way we digest food, to muscle tension, to our heart rate, and much more, chronic stress can impact it all.

So for my physical, mental, and emotional health, I know I must keep my stress levels in check. For my own well-being, as well as that of my family’s.

20 Ways Stressed Moms Can Find Relief

1. Car Rides with Children’s Audiobooks

When feeling stressed with a full day of kids ahead, I love to take my kids on relaxing car rides and let them listen to audiobooks during the drive. I time our car rides so that my 1-year-old naps, while my 4-year-old looks out the window and listens to a story.  

I use the library app Libby to download children’s audiobooks.

We find a quiet road with a nice setting and enjoy a relaxing drive. This is the perfect time for me to sit and breathe. No one is making demands of me, and I’m able to regroup. 

2. Priorities and Due Dates List

There are always a million things to do as a busy mom with young children. Sometimes all of the to-dos can feel overwhelming.

Making a priorities list with due dates for each item makes everything feel more manageable.

3. Mom Bedtime Routine

When I’m stressed, I know I need to prioritize sleep. Unfortunately, I also often want to stay up late when I’m stressed. I either lay awake in bed going over all of my worries or I binge-watch tv shows late into the night as a way to decompress. 

So, I try to find a balance when I’m stressed and let myself stay up a little late, but not excessively late.

I also have a bedtime routine and goal bedtime. While I do not always meet my bedtime goal, it gives me something to strive for. Following a bedtime routine also helps keep me grounded when I’m extra stressed.

4. Developing Daily Habits With Kids

While my 4-year-old does not care much to listen to me when I tell him to brush his teeth, he loves to check off completed tasks on a tablet.

I downloaded the app Kids ToDo List and customized a morning and evening routine checklist. At the end of each day, you can reset the checked stars to be unchecked for the next day.

This app is simple to use, it’s free, and it makes morning and bedtime routines significantly less stressful in our house.

Using a routine checklist has been a great way to outsource my job of nagging my child to take a shower, brush his teeth, get dressed, etc. 

5. Weekly Schedule

Having a schedule and routine offers predictability and structure to my week. As a stay-at-home mom, I do not have a boss that is dictating my schedule. I have to create my schedule and a schedule for my kids.  

I have found that when I do not keep my kids on a schedule, they tend to get antsy. When they know what to expect, they seem more calm and content than they would be otherwise.

I use the same Kids ToDo List app that we use for morning and bedtime routines as mentioned above, for a visual schedule each day of the week.

6. Setting Expectations with My Kids

When I get sloppy about upholding my boundaries (whether with myself or my kids), I notice my stress levels start to rise. Mom Rage kicks in and I find myself feeling exhausted, anxious, and irritable.

Here are some of the ways I aim to maintain my boundaries;

• Using a timer around playtime when I’m involved.
• Implementing quiet time. 
• Reviewing expectations before outings.
• Using a physical schedule and routines checklist.

When I find myself struggling to uphold boundaries, I remind myself about the benefits of practicing an Assertive Parenting Style. I remind myself that I can honor my own needs and those of my children in a kind but firm way.

7. Declutter

Less mess, less stress. While some clutter is a normal part of having young kids and life in general, it does not have to get out of control.
 
The items that tend to end up in piles of clutter the most in our house are; artwork from preschool, clothes, toys, mail, and dishes.
 
While I can not bring myself to throw away much of my 4-year-old’s art from preschool, I bought a big bin from the thrift store and use it to store all of his artwork. Whenever a craft project is left on the table or counter, I simply put it in the art bin. 

For clothing, we keep a large laundry hamper in our living room. When sweatshirts, socks, and pajamas end up strewn on our couch or thrown on the floor, I can quickly pick them up and throw them in the hamper. 

I share more on the topic of decluttering in my post on Realistic Minimalism for Busy Moms: Striving for Simplicity.

8. Exercise 

While I am not inclined to exercise much these days, I try and get some extra steps in when I can. I bought a compact treadmill and hop on it in spare moments. Even if it’s 5 or 10 minutes. 

I share more about exercise and developing a healthy circadian rhythm in my post on Essential Mom Self-Care: Simple Circadian Clock Reset Tips. 

9. Reward Chart For Kids

All kids have their particular struggles and challenges in one area or another.

For my son, using a reward chart (his brave chart) has been incredibly helpful as he works on developing healthy behaviors and thought patterns.

I used to be opposed to offering kids rewards because I thought that it negatively impacted the development of their intrinsic motivation. That is, doing things because they are internally motivated to do them, versus motivated by a shiny new toy.

In the name of motherhood survival though, I have changed my tune. I have also seen some great changes with my son using a reward chart system. Talking toys is a natural love language for kids, so why not implement a reward chart with a prize to get their attention.

Pictured above is a simple reward chart I made for my son. There are also lots of printable reward charts you can find online. We use this chart to help him work on social skills and being brave. I talk more about this particular struggle in my post 10 Tips For Parents To Help Struggling Kids Make Friends.

10. Nourishing Meals and Snacks

While I gravitate towards muffins and ice cream when feeling stressed, I also try to make sure I’m eating nutritious foods. 

I like to make this easy spinach smoothie with fruit to fuel up and nourish myself.

I also have a list of My Favorite Snacks for Nursing Moms with easy satisfying snack ideas.

Keeping kids fueled with nutritious foods is also a good way to prevent cranky children that contribute to a stressed mom. I keep my list of easy kids’ recipes on hand so I always have something nourishing to give my kids. 

11. Massage

As a former massage therapist, I am a big proponent of relaxing and supporting the body as a way to manage stress.
 
My husband often gives me back rubs and shoulder squeezes, and I also use an electric massage tool. 

Going out for a professional massage is not in many parents’ budget, but many massage schools offer inexpensive massages through their student clinics. I participated in this when I was in massage school and had lots of happy massage clients!

12. Fun Family Getaway

A day trip to a beautiful destination is an excellent way to get out of a stressed mom funk. 

While any amount of traveling with kids carries its stresses, a day trip is usually manageable and ultimately stress relieving. I keep our Family Beach Packing List on hand so that I can quickly gather our stuff without worrying about whether or not I packed everything.

A change of scenery is a great way to reset and remember the big picture.

13. Yoga

When I’m feeling stressed to the max, my whole body starts to ache and feel tight. A good yoga session helps so much with releasing tension.

I love this simple YouTube 20-minute yoga video for stress relief from Madfit. The instructor encourages deep breathing throughout the video and offers simple stretches that target high-tension areas.

I rarely practice yoga these days, and this video is simple enough for a rusty tired mama to easily follow along with and get some relief.

14. Retail Therapy (With Parameters)

There’s nothing like a little retail therapy; however, I give myself parameters. I keep a little wish list going of things that will make my life a little easier, and whenever I feel the need to engage in some retail therapy, I’ll get something off of my list.
 
Usually, it is something simple like a new pair of pajama pants or an interesting toy for my kids. If I do not have anything on my list, I love going to the local thrift store and browsing for unique home items, kids’ clothes, and books.

Doing early Christmas and birthday present shopping is also a great way to engage in some retail therapy while simultaneously making upcoming holidays less stressful! 

15. Read a Personal Development Book

It’s easy to let my personal development take a backseat when I’m consumed by helping my kids. I have realized though, that not only do I need to focus on personal development for my own sake, but it also ultimately helps my kids.

I can be there for them as my best self when I have the skills and tools to manage life’s adversities and daily stresses. 

16. Listen to Music

Buying myself some Apple AirPods was a great gift to myself. I love listening to mellow Taylor Swift or Billie Eilish songs on YouTube to relax and lighten my mood.

I pop my AirPods in if my husband is hanging out with the kids and I’m making dinner or doing some cleaning.

17. Personal Care

One day I will wake up before my kids so that I can properly get ready for the day, but currently, it is just not a reality.

Currently, I keep my face lotion in our junk drawer in our kitchen so that I can throw some on in-between handing out breakfast plates and sippy cups. That along with quickly brushing my teeth is about all I do to “get ready” most days.

So whenever I have some extra time, I like to take the opportunity to do a little intentional personal care.

18. Pencil in Some “Me Time”

Whenever I am feeling a lot of stress, I talk with my husband and we figure out a way I can get some alone time. As an Introverted Mom, alone time helps me regroup and recharge.

Other moms may recharge by planning a coffee date with an old friend. Whatever brings you calm and joy, pencil in some time to do that. Make it a priority.

19. Favorite TV Show Night

Sometimes a good TV show is the best way to get my mind off of my worries and stresses. Sometimes an exhausted and stressed mama just needs to lounge and focus on someone else’s curated drama on a screen.

As long as I’m not staying up too late watching TV or doing it every night, I have found that it is an easy way to give myself a mental break and decompress at the end of the day. 

20. A Stress Box or Stress Journal

If I find myself ruminating over a particular stress or worry, I write it down. By externalizing my worry or stress, it somehow loses some of its power. It feels more manageable and I do not feel like I have to carry it with me. It is being held for me in my worry box or my stress journal.  

Slowly But Surely Motto Combats Mom Stress

Not everything will get done in one day. Maybe not even a single thing on my to-do list will get done on a busy day. More to-dos are always popping up. That’s the reality of a busy and full life with kids, and that’s okay.

I constantly hear older people tell me how fast time goes by with little ones and how I should treasure every day. While I honestly find this advice incredibly annoying, I also know that it is spot on.
 
So as best I can, I try and remember that this season of life is precious, despite the stress. I do my best to manage my stress and keep on putting one foot in front of the other.