How Moms Can Relieve Stress

Having a hobby is a vital part of living a healthy and balanced lifestyle. As a mom, it’s probably even more so. Trying to juggle work, home, and family can be very stressful at times. If we don’t have an outlet, or a way to relieve stress, it could build up until we break.

If you are thinking you have no room left in your schedule to fit one more thing in, take another look. Devoting a little time for you is important, and doesn’t have to be excessive. Picking up a hobby that only takes an hour or so out of your week should be obtainable.

Make sure you find something that you really enjoy doing, or you probably won’t stick with it. If you spend money on a hobby and then don’t follow through with it, it’s just going to lead to more stress. I like to find hobbies that are beneficial to the home, as well as my mental state, such as gardening or scrapbooking.

There are no rules dictating when, where, or what hobby you pick. Whether it’s how to learn piano, knitting, or ceramics, it’s never too late to start. It might even be something you did as a child, and would like to start back up.

Now, let’s take a look at 4 reasons why it’s so important for you to find a hobby.

1. Stress Reliever. A hobby gives you the ability to release your everyday stress, and can also rejuvenate your mind, as well as the body. Imagine taking just an hour a week for you, and feeling refreshed in such a short time. It’s because that time allows for you to clear your mind and focus on something other than your day to day responsibilities.

2.  Feed Your Creative Side.  If you think you are not creative, you might just surprise yourself by giving a creative hobby a chance. Try some arts and crafts to see how you do, such as painting or photography. It could lead to providing gifts for others, as well as a great source of stress relief. Also, you could encourage your kids to get creative when they see you actively pursuing a craft.

3. Quality Time with Family. Finding a hobby for you, doesn’t mean you are the only one who can enjoy it. If you find a hobby that can be done solo, or with a group, it will benefit both you and the family. Doing something fun with the family, such as biking or nature hikes, is great quality time. This is especially important when there might not be as much quantity as you would like.

4. Healthy for the Family. Probably the most important reason to find a hobby is that when you are revitalized and healthy, it’s healthy for the entire family. Stress can trickle down, whether you see it happening, or not. I know that my patience level fluctuates depending on my stress level, and imagine that it’s the same for most people.

Now that I have pointed out why it’s important for you to have a hobby, I want to touch on finding one.

Finding a Hobby

The key to finding the right hobby is to find something you truly enjoy doing that fits in nicely with your lifestyle and budget. For example, I once toyed with the idea of gourmet cooking classes, until I realized we aren’t a gourmet household. I have two young kids, and getting creative with peanut butter and jelly sandwiches can only go so far.

But, here are some hobbies you might want to consider:

*        Biking, which is seasonal

*        Sewing, can save money on kids clothes

*        Collecting, whatever you choose to collect

*        Scrapbooking, need something to do with photos

*        Piano, or how to learn music of any kind

*        Ceramics, which can be limiting

I have been searching for a hobby myself, and have it narrowed to 3, gardening, scrapbooking, and piano, and leaning heavily towards piano. I’ll tell you why.

By taking up piano, I will also be introducing music to my children, which I think is important. I love the following quote, because it defines how I, and many others, feel about music:

‘Music when healthy, is the teacher of perfect order, and when depraved, the teacher of perfect disorder.’  – John Ruskin

Another reason I like piano, is because I find it very soothing. However, I also like it because it’s out in the open so the kids can plunk away when they want to, which will also encourage them to tap into their musical creativity. If they choose another instrument someday, that is fine. But, at least they have been exposed to it.

What I will need to consider is if I want to get out of the house for lessons, or if I want the convenience of taking lessons online. I’m a huge fan of the Internet, saving money, and convenience. So, online lessons are currently calling my name.

In addition, it will give me the opportunity to sit down to practice and play when I have time. Even if I need to schedule that time into my day, it’s much easier that it is right in my own home.

In Closing

It doesn’t matter what hobby you choose, just as long as you choose one that you are comfortable with both within your lifestyle, as well as your budget. I hope that you now realize the importance of having one though and that you seek out your own options.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Melissa Cameron is a freelance writer, who enjoys writing tips, ideas, and great deals to help others. In fact, her husband refers to her as a walking infomercial.

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