If you are a working mom, at one point or another, you’re stressed. It can be anything and everything from the higher expectation for our kids, work demands, finances, relationships, and the list keeps going. Even with the best planning, you can’t control everything. Here are 15 ways I manage stress as a working mom.

How to Manage Stress

1.Melt your stress through sweat. Exercise is not only great for your overall health, but it also helps increase endorphins. I am grateful to have a Peloton bike at home. Read my blog post on 10 Reasons Why I Love My Peloton Bike. Before my Peloton, I found a gym that offers free childcare for one hour and I would do a body pump class. You would be surprised how many gyms offer childcare these days. Or work out a schedule with your partner.

2. Progressive Muscle Relaxation– Clenching and relaxing muscle groups one at a time and holding for about 5 seconds. Start with your feet. Point your toes or flex, hold and relax them. Work up your body, calves, quads, butt, arms, shoulders, mouth, etc.

3. Go to sleep with clear surfaces. My bedside table and kitchen table are always the first to clutter. I make an effort to clear these surfaces before I go to sleep. And that makes my husband happy too.

Manage Stress: Breathe

4. Breathe Purposefully. Just like in a yoga class, inhale through the diaphragm, exhale slowly out.

5. Go to bed at night with a clean sink. Taylor and I make an effort to wash all of our dirty dishes before we go to bed and we have a lot. I pack Harper’s lunch every day, we drink coffee in the morning, and we usually have dirty dinner dishes. Get them clean before your head hits the pillow.

6. Keep sheets and towels organized. When I fold laundry, I store each folded sheet into the matching pillow cases. This is totally a Martha Stewart move.

7. Eat protein for breakfast. Protein and fat and keep me full longer. And I end up eating less throughout the day. I love eggs; egg salad, eggs benedict, huevos rancheros, hard boiled eggs, scrambled eggs with sriracha, egg over medium on an English muffin, deviled eggs, breakfast burritos with eggs, cheese, and salsa, omelets. I eat a lot of oatmeal and protein pancakes too. I’m posting a blog on protein-packed breakfast ideas here soon.

8. Learn to say no. If you have a full plate, saying no is not being a bad person. It just means you are unable to extend yourself any further. This also means, don’t overbook yourself. Get rid of unnecessary stress.

9. Start your day with pick me up drink. I begin every morning with coffee and almond milk. Then have matcha tea latte at work. Robin Arzon (my favorite Peloton instructor) starts her morning with 3 drinks before 8am. At 6am she drinks her “H20 cocktail”: room-temperature filtered water mixed with a dash of sea salt, a quarter of a lemon and a splash of apple cider vinegar. I still may try that.

I found a great matcha powder on Amazon. I linked it here.

10. Take a 5 minute break. When Harper goes to sleep or Taylor is home from work, I may take ten to put on a facial mask, shave my legs, put away clothes, or sit down and read an article. Go ahead and try it.

11. Determine the time of the day which is the “stresser”. Morning’s are always the “stressful” time in our house. I make an effort to have Harper’s lunch packed the night before, clean dishwasher, coffee pot cleaned and ready to go.

12. Eat your fruit and vegetables. I cant always get to the grocery store for fresh produce but I do always have organic frozen vegetables in the freezer. And I always have healthy frozen meal options. If you are interested in learning more, comment below. Having healthy foods available helps manage stress.

13. Be present. I try to immerse myself in the moment and be here now.

14. Drink Water. One of water’s many benefits is an increase in brain power. Whereas your brain is made of 73% water, drinking it helps you think, focus, concentrate and stay alert. As a result, your energy levels also improve. Water helps coordination, blood circulation, helps with physical performance, beats tiredness, encourages you to eat less, improves energy levels and immunity, and clears up skin.

15. Laugh-Laughter triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. Endorphins promote an overall sense of well-being and can even temporarily relieve pain and manage stress.