Working Mom Stress Release

Whether you are a mother of three, two, or one…being a parent is no easy task.  I am amazed when I think of what my mother accomplished all on her own.  I am fortunate to have a husband and a nanny that help, my mother was by herself.

She was a single parent, worked two jobs, but still made time to exercise, and take me on the best adventures.  I have these vivid memories of her mother strapping me on the back of her bike and taking us clear cross town to a opera show.  There weren’t many seven year olds sitting in the theatre, or out for a 300 mile bike ride from Oak Park, Michigan to downtown Detroit.  But that was my mom.  Super woman.  Doing her best to keep her daughter culturally enriched and sneaking in some cardio simultaneously.  Pretty clever.

Exercise is a great stress reliever.  While my mother took to the bicycle, I prefer running.  Whatever exercise you choose, start simple and stick with it. What ever you do –don’t make excuses.  If it’s you day to go for a run, then do it.  The dishes, laundry and other household chores can wait.

Get the kids involved.  Yes, it’s as easy as it sounds.  This morning the family went on a three mile run, ride, and bike ride: I was running and pushing my daughter in her tricycle, while my son was riding his bike.  My pace actually improved by trying to keep up with my son, who must have thought we were competing in the Tour de France.

Exercise in almost any form can act as a stress reliever. Being active can boost your feel-good endorphins and distract you from daily worries.  There is explainer on how exercise and stress connect in an article from researchers at the Mayo Clinic on stress management.  It talks about the many health benefits of even a simple exercise program can have on ones well-being.

Try this 15 minute workout.  It’s an easy workout that you can do in the comfort of your home.  It’ll tighten your abs and boost your legs on that next run.