Working a job as a mother is hard. That’s what prompted one Reddit user to ask the question, “Ladies who work A LOT, what do you do during work and after work to control your stress levels?” She wasn’t even sure if anyone would reply. But they did and the responses came in fast and furious.

Here are 12 of those replies…women sharing their stress management solutions for balancing home and work life.

1. Set boundaries

A lot of women are afraid of setting boundaries but they shouldn’t be. As Eugeniarte explained, “At work, I try to set healthy boundaries like: I’ll only pick up the phone until 8:00 p.m.” or “If the task entered after 4:00 p.m., it will be delivered the next day.” Good advice to avoid feeling overloaded or overwhelmed.

2. Make lists

Young_jawn had an excellent idea. “At the beginning of the week I make a list of little things I want to get to when I have the spare time (like wipe down countertops or mirrors, change sheets, throw in a load of laundry, etc.) with one or two ‘big things’ to tackle (like reorganizing the pantry or deep cleaning the bathroom/kitchen) exclusively to do on one of my days off. That way nothing piles up.” Creating lists will keep you organized and give you a visual of the progress you make.

3. Get exercise

Even if you feel you don’t have time, even 20 minutes a day will do wonders. Young_jawn said, “Regular exercise, even when I don’t wanna do it, also helps. I find that I actually have more energy and stamina when I get into a regular workout routine.” Remember, physical activity releases hormones that help reduce stress and anxiety.

4. Hire help

If your budget allows, hire someone to help with things around the house. According to MissAnthropoid, “You can take some of the pressure off by outsourcing your housework. I had a cleaner and usually ate out or ordered in. That pretty much just left me laundry to take care of, which isn’t too bad.”

5. Stay hopeful

Your mindset plays a crucial role in how well you deal with stress. DragonMasterBrady reminds women to focus on the light at the end of the tunnel. She says, “Never worked past 7:00 p.m., unless I was picking up a bartending shift once in awhile. This allowed my brain to know that no matter how hectic my day was, it could turn off at 7:00 that night.”

6. Plan meals

Instead of trying to figure out what to make for dinner as you walk in the door, create meals for up to a week. While there’s some upfront time involved, it’ll pay off in the end. Along with meal prep ideas, DragonMasterBrady said, “…think of recipes that create leftovers (chili, soups, pasta dishes, salads, baking a bunch of chicken, etc.) and space them out through the week.”

7. Stick to an evening routine

Being organized helps reduce stress. That means having a routine you stick to. Dadadawn explained how she uses a routine to deal with her stress. “After work, I spend time with my dogs, take them to the park, work out, and then do my puzzles or adult coloring books and drink wine.” As a working mom, you could do those things with the kids and minus the wine part.

8. Meditate

As a busy mom working outside the home, you probably feel like your brain’s scrambled. This is why it’s important to meditate a few times each week. ThatJG posted, “I schedule in some downtime.” You’ll feel refreshed and re-energized.

9. Get adequate sleep

Proper sleep is vital to both your mental and physical health. ID9ITAL stated, “To survive, it was critical for me to get a full nights’ sleep of 7.5+ hours in order for me to regulate my emotions and be able to mentally concentrate at work.” If you need a sleep aid, consider something natural such as melatonin.

10. Pamper yourself

As a working mom, you probably think, “What’s that?” But whether going to a day spa for a massage or taking a bubble bath at home, show yourself kindness. Livelaughtacos said, “When I have off time, I pamper myself. I set one day a week to an at-home spa day.” She includes soft music, facial, pedicure, or whatever ever luxury she wants to enjoy.

11. Choose a hobby

Some women feel stressed because they always focus on the needs of others. It’s your turn. Find something outside of home and work you enjoy or want to learn. It helped eriibu who said, “What helped me is to starting playing a music instrument (piano). I never tried something like this before and it’s actually still very hard after one year of training, but this is such an amazing relaxing activity.”

12. Put your health first

Unless you’re healthy, you can’t be your best for others. Simple decisions as suggested by aremarten go a long way. “Prioritize your health. Set aside an hour or two to move your body. Meal prep and eat healthy. Keep alcoholic drinks to a minimum. Make sure you get between 5-6 hours of sleep per night.”

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Source: Relieved