my favorite ways to unwind

Okay, so I know that I can't be the only one who is wishing summer would never end. Summer ending only means one dreadful thing, school is back in session. I have been enrolled in college since January of 2010. I was going for my associates in social science which should have taken two years to complete. Well, life threw a few curve balls my way and that is not how it played out. Little did I know that shortly after enrolling, I would soon be a wife and a mother of two kids. Needless to say, being a wife and raising two kids makes going to school full time pretty difficult. I have been taking a few classes here and there and I am proud to say that I am finally going to be able to graduate this December. If you could see me now, you would get the honor of witnessing my happy dance!! Even though I am happy I get to finally graduate, I still have to actually make it through this last semester without loosing my sanity. Normal days for me consist of taking care of my kids, daily chores, constantly picking up the same messes, play time with my kids, making three meals, grocery shopping, and spending time with the husband. When I add schoolwork into the mix, things begin to become kinda unstable. It can sometimes feel like too much and I start to feel anxious. In order to keep the stress at bay, I have found a few things that really help me unwind. Today, I would like to share them with you so that maybe one or all of them can help you in times of stress. 

#1. Stay Organized.
With everything I have going on in the day, it is important for me to stay organized so things don't get out of control. I am taking online courses which are great for being a stay-at-home mom, but they are also tricky because I can completely forget about it. The best thing for me is to write up a schedule before bed each night. I jot down any assignments that are due and what needs doing in the house. I also set reminders on my phone so that I can actually stick to the schedule and never miss an assignment. 

#2. Bubble Bath
After the kids go to bed, I light some candles and draw myself a warm bath. There is something about it that is so relaxing. It allows me to clear my head and focus better. The warm steam is soothing, the aroma is refreshing, and the water is cleansing. Not to mention, it makes for the best night of sleep.

#3. Awesome Playlist
Music is such a big part of my life. I listen to it while I clean, while I read, while I'm driving, and pretty much while I am doing everything else. A good playlist can make any task much more fun. Music also helps me calm down if I am starting to feel overwhelmed. My favorite thing to do is to turn the music up really loud and just dance. Dancing gives me a whole lot of energy instantly and puts me in such a good mood. And when I am happy, I'm not stressed :)

#4. Exercise
Exercising is good for SO many things. One thing in particular that it helps relieve is stress levels. Taking time out of the day to exercise helps me to feel good about myself. It makes me feel a little more confident about taking on the day. Some of the best exercises for stress relief are yoga and running or walking. Taking it outside will work even better plus it is more fun to change things up a bit!

#5. Positive Thinking
This one might sound a little cliche but for me it really can work. I have to sometimes take a step back and remind myself that it is okay to not be perfect. It is okay to leave the house a little messy for a day. It is okay to eat peanut butter and jelly for dinner two nights in a row. Admitting to myself that I can't do it all and no one is expecting me to really helps me to calm down. Maybe writing a little positive message to yourself on the bathroom mirror might be useful. For me, Philippians 4:13 (I can do all things through Him who strengthens me) gets repeated many times throughout my day. 

So those are a few of my go-to stress relievers and I can guarantee that I will be using one or all of them throughout this semester. If school is just starting for you as well, I wish you the best of luck and I hope that it is a stress free year! However you choose to handle stress, always remember that you can do whatever you set your mind to! I can finish this semester, I can finish this semester, I CAN finish this semester! :)

Have a blessed and stress free day!
Brianna