STRESS

is a normal part of life, but an excess of stress has an impact on everyone in the family. When parents are stressed, children feel stressed too—even in the womb, babies’ health is negatively affected a mother’s high stress levels. Early stress affects a child’s physical and emotional development, ability to manage behavior, and learning. Taking time to learn to de-stress improves your life—and that of your child.

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Q. Help! I am an overwhelmed mom who needs some de-stressing ideas, and fast…

Try progressive relaxation. First, start by clenching the muscles in your feet and lower legs as hard as you can. Gradually let your muscles relax just a little bit at a time. Repeat with your upper leg and hip muscles, feeling the tension and then gradual relaxation. Repeat with the muscles in your hands, arms, torso, shoulders, and neck. As you relax one group at a time, your whole body will begin to feel more relaxed and less stressed. Breathe in and out deeply, and try to practice this every day.

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