If you’re stressed about having the kids at home during the coronavirus pandemic, you’re definitely not alone. The sudden change in everyone’s routine has most people feeling anxious, stressed, isolated, and frustrated, to say the least. While social distancing and isolation can present a number of challenges to you and your family, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it’s the most effective way to avoid spreading the virus and to return to life as usual at some point. While ensuring your family stays healthy — washing your hands, sanitizing surfaces, and wearing protective masks included — it’s important to remember life doesn’t have to just be about taking care of everyone else. Losing sight of your own self-care can bring on burnout, exhaustion, and even more stress.
With that in mind, here are some easy tips to help you carve out some time to take care of yourself amidst the chaos of having everyone home all day, every day and bring you some much-needed relief.
1. Try CBD for Stress Relief
You’ve probably heard about the benefits of CBD for stress, sleep, relaxation, and tension relief through friends, social media or the news – and it can be a very useful resource for parents who want a quick and natural way to reduce their own stress. In a recent article, the New York Timesreports that more and more stressed out parents are turning to CBD to help them relax; one parent divulged that she turns to CBD instead of a glass of wine, saying, “I’m less likely to scream and freak out that there’s, you know, hot pink Play-Doh smushed into the carpet.” While CBD is not intended as a replacement for medication (you should talk to your doctor about medications that can help), research has shown that CBD can have a calming effect on the central nervous system.
B GREAT’s CBD Stress Bundle is a beneficial, natural way to help alleviate tension and calm stress inside and out, especially when you feel like you just need a break for yourself. The Stress Relief set contains Hemp Oil and a Hemp Balm, both made from full-spectrum whole hemp grown to the highest standards here in the U.S. Hemp Oil can be taken twice a day by dropper to provide relaxation and calm. The Hemp Balm which also contains soothing lavender and eucalyptus oils can be rubbed on to sore, aching muscles to help soothe your skin.
Bonus tip: If you want to support a tired mom and show her that you appreciate all she does, B GREAT’s CBD Stress Bundle also makes a fantastic gift. Even a massage with B GREAT’s Hemp Balm is a great way to help mom calm down and destress after she’s done taking care of everyone else all day.
2. Take Information Breaks
It can be tempting to stay glued to your smartphone or TV screen during the coronavirus pandemic. While it’s a good idea to be informed, especially when it comes to what’s happening in your community, avoid information overload. Even the CDC has advised people to take breaks from watching, listening, and reading the news and accessing social media. Remember, there is a lot of sensationalistic reporting going on that can make you feel afraid and even more stressed.
Also, limit your children’s exposure to upsetting news and social media – they may not understand what’s going on and can easily misinterpret things they read or hear online. Talk to them about the pandemic but reassure them that your family is doing everything it can to be safe. Having open and honest discussions as a family will decrease anxiety levels across the board, helping you feel a little bit saner in the process.
3. Cultivate a Relaxation Routine
With the kids at home, you might feel like you have even less time for yourself than usual, making it harder to enjoy any “me” time. Try to find small ways to prioritize your mental and physical health throughout the day. Make sure to eat healthy, well-balanced meals, set aside some time to meditate (even five minutes is beneficial), and try some home yoga routines – you can find free sessions on YouTube that are short enough to squeeze in while the kids watch yet another episode of Paw Patrol.
4. Get Enough Sleep
During increased times of stress, it can be hard to unwind and let go after a busy day of taking care of your family. Try to stick to your usual sleep routine even if you’re not working or if you’re working from home. Dedicate some time to wind down each night to prepare your brain and your body for sleep. Take a warm bath, dim the lights at least 30 minutes before bed, and turn off electronic devices. If you have trouble easing into sleep B GREAT’s Relax Shot is can be a helpful way to destress and relieve occasional sleeplessness – it contains a proprietary mix of full-spectrum hemp as well as GABA, Melatonin, Ginkgo biloba, and soothing lavender water to encourage serenity and calm.
5. Connect with Others
Let’s face it – social distancing is not easy, even though it’s the best way to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. We are social beings, and we need contact with others or we will start to feel isolated, sad, stressed, and lonely. When your only day-to-day contact is with your immediate family, you can feel like your world has gotten really small. Staying in touch with extended family and friends through online video chat or phone calls on a regular basis is important. While it can be tempting to only talk about the coronavirus, try to make time for other topics as well by sharing funny stories about what your kids are doing or reminiscing about happier times.
And Finally…
Try to keep things in perspective. As difficult as it might be right now, realize that this situation won’t last forever. Although you can’t control external circumstances, you can control your reaction to them and decide how much you want them to affect you. Don’t feel guilty for taking time out for yourself whenever you feel like things are too much to handle – remember that by caring for yourself, you’ll be better able to care for your family. You’ve got this!
"These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease."