Stress in life in inevitable. Whether you have a stressful job, home life or financial situation..stress just plain stresses you out!

Before choosing to stay home with my three boys, I sure had a stressful job. My degree is in Psychology and I worked with children who had emotional and behavioral issues. When you are in this line of work, you are not only working with the children, but their families too. The issues going on with the child, overflow into a stressful family situation and stress does not discriminate.

I was not immune to it. I had some pretty difficult cases that involved sexual abuse, neglect and children on the verge of being put into the “system.” There was not a day when I didn’t come home and reflect and think about these children. It was my job to help…but who was helping me deal with the stress involved in caring for 70 clients and their families?

Not only did I have the stress of my job, but I was also a first time mother and was stressed when I would leave my first son in daycare. When issues began to arise with daycare (teachers falling asleep, children being left unattended, my son not being fed {hello!}), I moved him around from daycare to daycare. This took a toll on him and my husband and I. One day I sat at my desk in tears and finally figured out that I was only bringing home $100 a month after daycare costs and work expenses. I quit my job, much to the dismay of my co-workers who assured me I would be bored at home and would be back within a few months. They felt I was just burnt out, but once home with my son and watching Sesame Street 24/7, I would be begging for my workaholic life again.

I’ve been a stay at home mom now for 5.5 years and counting…

While I shelved the stress that the Mental Health field brings on, I took on a new stress…how to pay the bills relying soley on my husband’s income. Since I quit my job in 2001, our family has grown and we have bought a house and now have two cars. My boys grow like weeds and I have a hard time keeping up! My husband is in construction and there are many times when he doesn’t work a full week and there are more times when he is laid off. We look at each other with fear in our eyes whenever he tells me that he has been laid off. STRRRREEEESSS!

In 2004 I joined Country Bunny Bath & Body, whose mission statement is to improve lives one lotion bar at a time. This job makes me focus on destressing the stressed, and I am no exception. What a difference a little personal pampering can do to help you mentally relax, which in essense helps your overall physical well being.

Here are some ideas to help you ease the feeling that stress can cause in your life:

* Listen to relaxing music. Wind down on your drive home from work with music that is relaxing and focus your thoughts away from the office, and instead to some favorite activites you want to do once you are home.

* Shopping therapy. Who says shopping is not therapeutic? Even if you don’t buy a thing, simply going to the mall or your favorite stores with a friend, can help take your mind off of a stressful situation and change your mood around.

* Gardening or making home repairs. Sunlight is said to have a positive effect on your mood; combine that with creating a beautiful garden and it can only enhance that. Some people find slamming that hammer when making home repairs to be therapeutic. Home repairs can be labor intensive, helping you to put your physical energy into the project at hand and not on the tension and stress you are feeling.

* Creative activities. I have friends who make crafts or who paint to absorb their thoughts in creativity and help ease stress. Maybe poetry or writing are the thing for you.

* Taking a walk or jog. Grab a friend or put your child in a stroller and just walk the stress away. Quality time spent by yourself, with a friend or family member will help you gain a new perspective. It will help ease your mind and releases your body from tension.

* Aromatherapy or soaking in the tub. I have written a few posts on Country Bunny Bath & Body’s Life Song Aromatherapy line and our bath products to help soak stress away. Just click on the links to read more about how these products not only keep your skin healthy, but can help create a Stress-free zone.
Bathe your way to softer skin.
Life Song Aromatherapy Line

What are some ways you help to ease the stress in your life?

Tags: stress, stress relief, relaxation, life, aromatherapy, work at home, work from home, work at home business, aromatherapy oil, aromatherapy skin care, relaxation technique