Walk it Off!: Handling “mom-stress” and savoring the medicine of laughter.

So I have never hidden the fact that many many times, usually several times a day, I pretty much just go crazy! I try to hold it inside. I’m not a yeller or screamer. But I am a huffer. One deep exhale, and everybody knows … mom is about to lose it!

 I’ve spoken with enough other moms to know I am not alone. But knowing this still never seems to ease my frustration with myself. So many times I’ve heard and heeded the advice to go into another room, take a deep breath, and ask God for help. While I think this is excellent advice, I have found that for myself perhaps it is not enough to leave the room. I think for me I actually need to leave the house! I’m not necessarily saying you have to take off by yourself and leave everyone behind. However, there is so much to be said for getting away from the distractions of the gadgets, the noises, the walls (which in those crazy mommy moments can literally feel like they are closing in on me), and just getting out into God’s world and really breathing Him in. Listen sister. Hormones are real! Rather than pretending we don’t struggle with them, let’s learn to manage them and face them head on. Trust me. You’ll feel better, and your family with thank you!

I remember one day last winter when I felt this coming over me again, but I knew I just had to get out. Mikaela and I went out into the driveway and put on our roller-skates. We skated together in circles in the driveway then went for a loop around the neighborhood. We held hands. We laughed. We talked. Just breathing in the fresh air really rejuvenated my soul. And since its Florida, there was also the sunshine factor. After this, Mikaela and I went for an impromptu romp on the beach. The sand between our toes and the smiles on our faces were exactly what I needed.

So I encourage you, the next time you feel this “I’m going to lose it!” feeling coming over you, just get out and have some fun. Breathe in the fresh air. Do something that will cause your children to laugh. Yes, laughter is great medicine. And what I am learning now is the laughter does not always have to be my own to begin to work powerful healing in my soul.

See all the posts in my Holy Hormones! series HERE.