Let’s face it, pretty much every mom is a supermom – juggling an innumerable amount of jobs every day. You’re a nurse, a teacher, a cook, a delivery driver, a therapist, a clown, a house cleaner, and a lost sock discoverer (where do they go?). That list barely scrapes the surface of all the things you’re good at doing, and there are so many other things you do spontaneously that don’t even have a name yet! That’s the life of a mom, and it’s a great life, and an amazing job to do each day, BUT…. it definitely gets stressful. April is Stress Awareness Month, so we found seventeen stress relief tips for supermoms to help you juggle all those tasks without feeling like you might drop the ball. Share your favorite ways to relax in the comments for a chance to win a Tranquil Frog – he’s great for creating a calming space!

#1) The Adult Coloring Book.

It’s a hot, new trend – adult coloring. The books have intricate designs or super realistic art pieces to recreate, and the good news about them is that they’re very relaxing. Your kids might take the crayons and scribble as hard as they can, but you can carefully choose the exact color you want and fill in these tiny little lines as your mind wanders.

#2) Pet an Animal.

A furry, cuddly pet will relieve your stress as you bond. As a matter of fact, petting a dog or cat lowers a person’s blood pressure and increases their sense of well-being!

#3) Listen to music that YOU like.

Don’t have the kids pick the music for once and put on a song that’s always made you feel like jumping around and having a good time. Can’t really get away with that in the house? Then find some time to drive around and sing along with your favorite tune as loud as you can. Let it all out and let another driver enjoy your performance!

#4) Go Outside.

According to an article in Prevention Magazine, just five minutes of time being outside doing light exercise such as walking can lower your stress level. Get out the stroller and take the kids for a walk around a lake, or park, or a nature center, or anywhere pretty that’s near to you. You’ll all feel better afterward. Have kids that need to run around? Make it a nature treasure hunt and have them collect their favorite leaves.

#5) Take a Bubble Bath.

It’s a classic stress reducer. After the kids are in bed put on some quiet, peaceful music and soak away the tension of the day. Try Cloud b’s Tranquil Frog with the lights off at night. The projections of the night sky on the ceiling above you will be just as soothing for you as it is for your child. You’ll sleep great afterward too, which will put you in a better position to handle tomorrow’s rush.

#6) Vent.

Pick your most trusted confidante and let it all out. You can’t hold all of it inside with a big smile on your face when things get to be too much. Every once and awhile tell someone about it and feel the weight lift away. They’ll understand because they’ve been there too!

#7) Look Through Old Photo Albums or Pictures.

Looking at past photos will remind you of all the wonderful moments your family has shared and that you’re always in the process of creating more great memories every single day – even if things do get hectic. If you love scrapbooking, then this idea can become an ongoing activity that brings you joy every time you come back to it.

#8) Read a Book.

A good book at night will take you somewhere completely new – and reading an actual book instead of looking at a tablet will help you fall asleep faster. Reading to your kids during the day is another way to create some down time for all of you. Pick longer age-appropriate books so that they’re excited about what happens next in the story.

#9) Laugh Till You Cry.

A good thing about our easy access to the internet nowadays is that there’s always something funny that’s just a few clicks away in the palm of your hand. Whether it’s a favorite comedian, some random goofballs on Youtube, or a favorite clip from SNL, a good laugh makes you feel better fast. According to The Mayo Clinic, laughter stimulates your organs while increasing endorphin release by your brain – a natural stress-fighter.

#10) Cancel Something.

Sometimes one of the biggest sources of modern day stress is a calendar that’s way too full. You don’t need to say yes to everything that comes your way. Reschedule or cancel something that doesn’t sound like fun or that you simply don’t feel like you can fit in. Do something fun or relaxing during that time instead.

#11) Write in a Journal.

According to Psychology Today getting into the habit of writing down your thoughts can be good for both your mental and physical being. Journaling has been shown to relieve stress and put you in a more positive mood while also giving a boost to your immune system. Check out Cloud b’s post, “Bring on the Happy With a Bedtime Gratitude Journal” to learn about all of the amazing benefits of writing about what you’re thankful before you fall asleep has on your mental state.

#12) Try a “News Fast.”

Dr. Andrew Weil coined this term for opting out of the news cycle for a few days at a time, and we can’t see why that wouldn’t be a good idea. TV, radio, computers, tablets, and your phone are all giving you constant updates on the state of the world, and the news is not always good. Even if the news that you read about isn’t affecting you directly, it can have the result of increasing anxiety, and that means adding stress to your life. You don’t need to bury your head in the sand, but taking a break might help you breathe a little easier.

#13) Try a New Hobby.

You may be thinking that trying something new while you’re already too busy sounds crazy, but it might be just the thing that brings you back to a peaceful place. Crocheting, quilting, and felting have all become surprisingly popular with the new generation, and there’s a reason – it feels good to make something. We’re not trying to say that moms should only do “girly” projects. Maybe you want to take a weekend welding class and make some amazing metal sculpture for your yard. Whatever you are drawn to, give a new hobby or art form a try.

#14) Send Out a Distress Signal.

Yes, you are a supermom, but everybody needs help sometimes. You might not want to bother a relative or a friend because you know they’re busy too, but when you know you need it, ask for some help with the kids. It could only be for a few hours, but it should really help charge your batteries.

#15) Pump it Up!

Exercise is the number one thing that doctors recommend for overall health. The CDC lists eight major benefits to regular exercise, and one of them is “improve your mental health and mood.” When you exercise it doesn’t just help your physical condition, but your mental one as well. We know it’s not always easy to fit into your schedule but three or four times a week for only fifteen minutes can greatly enhance your mood.

#16) Watch the Caffeine.

According to an article in BBC News, too much coffee makes your body react as though it is under constant stress. So, when you’re feeling depleted you might naturally want to reach for another cup or even a caffeine energy drink, but this can backfire on you by upping your feelings of stress and making it harder for you to sleep. Caffeine is a safe and natural stimulant, but you should be aware of how much you have each day to make sure it’s not negatively affecting you.

#17) Wash the Dishes.

You may think it’s crazy that we included this (like you need another chore to do), but an article in Time Magazine cites a study by Florida State University that had students read a passage about mindfulness before washing dishes. Another group of students just read some instructions on doing dishes. After washing the dishes, the students who read the mindfulness study lowered their anxiety by 27%. The study wasn’t really about doing the dishes, but about how when we focus on the simple task in front of us we feel less stressed out. Peace through dishes – let us know if it works for you!

Now it’s your turn! What are your stress relief tips for supermoms? Let us know for a chance to win a Tranquil Frog (ARV $43.99)!

UPDATE: Congratulations to Olga for being our lucky winner! Check out our May blog giveaway to try again!

Like his cousin Tranquil Turtle, Tranquil Frog is a multi-sensory plush night light, sound soother, and calming companion all in one. With the touch of a button, Tranquil Frog projects a magical underwater light effect with a gentle wave motion and plays either white noise or a soft lullaby to help ease children to sleep. Turn any room into a peaceful oasis!

ENTER TO WIN! Here’s how >

REQUIRED:

In the comments below, share one of your favorite ways to relax. (Don’t worry if it’s similar to something from our list above!)

OPTIONAL ADDITIONAL ENTRIES:

• Sign-up for the Cloud b Club newsletter
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For each additional entry, leave a separate comment letting us know what you’ve done (and what your profile name is where relevant). If you’ve already done any of these in the past, just leave a comment stating so. You can enter up to 9 times by taking all of the actions listed above and the more entries you make, the more chances you have at winning!

One random winner will be selected on April 30th, 2017!

Good luck!!!

No purchase necessary. Must be US resident, 18 or older. Void where prohibited. Click-through for full sweepstakes rules.