Tips for Reducing Stress during the Back-to-School Rush

August 22, 2019 | Uncategorized

By Jenna Montaño, Dar a Luz Birth Assistant, RN, BSN

This time of year can be a wonderful new beginning. The season is beginning to change, kids are going back to school, evening activities are ramping up, the State Fair is coming, and soon the holidays will be upon us. All these things can bring joy, but also cause tremendous stress in our lives. “Stress is a feeling of emotional or physical tension,” according to Medline (a popular medical database). “It can come from any event or thought that makes you feel frustrated, angry, or nervous.” It’s important that we begin to mitigate these things in our homes so that we can continue to lead healthy lives.

Say “No” – During the hustle and bustle of the season, we feel like we have to do it all. It’s important to know your limits. Maybe saying “No” to that extra assignment at work, limiting screen time in your house, keeping your evenings free for more time at home, or hiring a housekeeper for a few months will be worth your sanity. Our culture doesn’t want us to say no, but my mentor says, “Saying no is a complete sentence.” No explanation needed.

Plan meals – Recently I’ve been planning my meals for a whole month. Yes, a whole month. Breakfast, lunch and dinner for my whole family. I plan for the nights that we need something quick, and I plan dinners that take a little bit longer that are full of flavor. It saves brain bandwidth by not needing to run out and get dinner at the last minute; we always know that there is something at home. One tip that I have for quick meal planning is the app “Favoreats”, it can link to your Pinterest and help make grocery lists for the dinners that you pin. It’s made meal planning a breeze.

Carpool – Have you ever thought about carpooling? Being behind the wheel in traffic can increase that stress level! So save the environment, and cut down on the time behind the wheel. Maybe get your kids a carpool, and share the responsibilities of taking them to school or to extracurriculars. You could carpool to work, or to your AM workout. Try apps like Waze and Juno to find and create carpools for you and your kids.

Wake up Before your kids – Especially for you stay-at-home parents who have your kids with you all day. Getting up earlier than your kids gives you a head start on the day. Eat breakfast, have some tea or coffee, get dressed; practice a little self-care before those kiddos get up, and you’ll already be on top of the stress.

If none of those general lifestyle changes do the trick- you can try a few of these things to help switch your body from the stress phase to relaxation: Lavender Oil – Lavender is an age-old stress reducing trick that many people underestimate. With the popularity of essential oils, studies are coming out proving their potency. “Lavender essential oil has an extensive anecdotal history of anxiolytic benefit that has recently been supported by clinical efficacy studies.” (Malcolm & Tallian, 2017.) If you have a bottle of lavender oil around, try diffusing it. Having it in the air will help everyone with relaxation, and set the calm atmosphere in your home. Magnesium – Magnesium helps many different body systems, and it plays an important role in many body processes. You can take magnesium orally, but you also can absorb it through your skin in a magnesium bath, otherwise known as Epsom Salt. Magnesium reduces oxidative stress, lowering stress at the cellular level. Ashwagandha- Ashwagandha has been shown to reduce cortisol levels, help with anxiety, and can reduce damage caused by long term stress. It is proven to be a strong adaptogenic herb, also known to reduce stress. It can take up to two weeks to begin to see results, so commit to taking it for a little while. Please consult with your provider before taking this supplement. Ashwagandha may NOT be used in pregnancy, and only cautiously in lactation.

Remember that you are your best advocate. If you’re feeling overwhelmed and need a break, it’s okay to take one. Go on and live your best stress-free life!

Sources:
Medline Plus. (June, 2019) Stress and your Health. Retrieved from https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003211.htm
Malcolm, B. J., Tallian, K. (2017). Essential oil of lavender in anxiety disorders: Ready for prime time? Mental Health Clin. 7(8) Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6007527/
An Overview on Ashwagandha: A Rasayana (Rejuvenator) of Ayurveda. (2011). Afr J Tradit Complement Altern Med. 8(5). Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3252722/

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