Start a morning routine
Learning to say no
It can be difficult, but sometimes the best answer is no. Particularly because saying no to someone often can mean saying yes to your familia. If you have too much on your plate, don't commit to extra work or volunteering. Saying something along the lines of "I'd love to help with that if I didn't have so much going on at the moment" or "Sorry I can't make it, but thank you for thinking of me." Both are polite ways to decline anything you can't handle.
Enlist help
Whether you call your abuelita or a professional, sometimes the best thing you can do when you feel overwhelmed is to delegate to others. Shower, nap, catch up on your personal projects or run errands while your kids hang out with their abuelos. Teach your kids to be responsible for certain chores if they're old enough, tackle major cleaning together as a group or hire help if you can swing the cost.
Unplugging
Moms are natural multitaskers but be careful not to overdo it. For working mamás, the desire to do it all versus the ability to do it all can be a struggle. If the quality of your work or interactions with your children suffer, it may be time to step back. It's good to put away your smartphone or turn off your computer to give your kids and family the attention they need. Go on a tech cleanse for a few hours or a few days, depending on what works for your lifestyle.
Practicing gratitude
My mamá always started her days by giving thanks. Now a mom myself, I know that "normal days" are blessings in disguise. When you run into a hard day, you realize how lucky you are to have the ordinary blessings we sometimes forget. Practice gratitude for every opportunity and lesson that comes your way. This can be a path to more blessings, big or small.
Nourishing your spiritual life
Perhaps you find fortitude in attending a religious service or maybe you just like to wax poetic about life's mysteries. Nurturing your spiritual life can help you confront hectic days with more grace. If life begins to feel overwhelming, try to find your center again—wherever that might be.
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Dance it out
If you have pent up stress, one of the best ways to get rid of it is to run, walk or dance it out. If you can't schedule gym time, try to be active with your family. Pushing a stroller around town, bouncing to the rhythm with bebé, running with your kids in the backyard or spending a morning on a light hike are all healthy ways to release tension while getting quality family time.
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