• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

GingerGarner.com

EudeMOMia | Integrative Physical Therapy and Lifestyle Medicine

  • View DrGingerGarner’s profile on Facebook
  • View MedicalTherapeuticYoga’s profile on Instagram
  • View GingerGarner’s profile on YouTube
  • View gingergarner’s profile on Vimeo
  • Home
  • About
  • Learn
    • Events
    • Blog
    • Publications & Affiliations
    • Podcasts & Interviews
    • Videos
    • Yoga Therapist Training
    • Yoga Teacher Training
    • Courses
      • Attend a Course
      • Host A Course
    • Anti-Aging Resources
    • Mothering Resources
  • Patients
  • Connect

Stop Stress In Its Tracks


Sometimes it creeps up on you, sometimes it crashes into you, sometimes it consumes you, but frequently it seems, stress seems to be just around the next corner. My day is going smoothly, and then something ALWAYS happens to interrupt my “zen” flow.

Reality! You wake up late or you wake up too early. You forget your cell phone or you accidentally wash (and dry!) your cell phone (me with pregnant brain during my second pregnancy). You grocery shop and then leave the groceries at the store (my cousin and dear friend, right after the birth of her second child). You make up your child’s bed neatly and, in the meantime, he or she is hard at work sabotaging your latest manuscript (kids love laptops, especially mine!). You go to work to provide family financial stability, but in the end you have no time to spend with the family you are working so hard for.

Mothers, the original gurus of multi-tasking, can have a pretty long “stress” list. In fact, the more we multi-task, the more stressed and less efficient we become. (can I get an amen there?)

So this week, I will share “real time” stress relief secrets. This means I will offer up stress relief tips that work in real life – like the ones I use while I try to get my kids to nap so I can finish this blog or the ones I use when the kids spew their oatmeal at each other as I (try to) concentrate on answering work email – you know – that kind of “real time”.

Even now, as I work, I am listening to my oldest sing his own nonstop rendition (by request) of happy birthday to his brother (it’s not his birthday) while they “nap.” So here it goes….

7 Ways to Stop Mommy/Wife Stress In Its Tracks:

  1. Stressful Scenario: The kids are not listening to you (boy if I had a nickel for every time this happened).
  2. Solution: Whisper, don’t shout. I use to shout, but after a year of chronically losing my voice I learned something neat. When I spoke in a tone closer to a whisper than a shout, my kids listened more. Also, stick around until you get the results you are looking for. In yoga speak, this means helping a student align their pose, then not moving on to the next student until they have achieved the safe alignment you want. The same is true with children. To get them to nap, I hung around outside their bedroom door. (I recently moved them into a shared room, so bed time has gotten very interesting.) Each time I would hear little feet on the floor, I would open the door and calmly remind them to stay in their beds. I also tossed in a carrot – I told them “we will have more time for fun after their nap if they go to sleep now.” The results were profound.
  3. Benefit: You don’t have to get anymore headaches from listening to your head roar. You can prevent wrinkles from not having to twist up your face in exasperation all the time. Your posture will improve because you can take the time to bend down on one knee and explain to them why they are in trouble, instead of hunching over or throwing your head back to get your voice to travel the furthest distance at the loudest volume possible. Lastly, your shouts become more effective when they are truly needed (like a dangerous situation of running into traffic, etc.), They will be less likely to think you are “crying wolf” and will be much more receptive to you. I get lots more “I wuv you’s (I love you’s) from my kids for shouting less and speaking gently more.
  1. Scenario: Your husband is not listening to you. (hmm, another nickel anyone?)
  2. Solution: One of my biggest pet peeves is repeating myself. And, there is nothing worse than repeating yourself when no one is listening. So when this scenario arises, I remind myself that no one is a perfect listener. In addition, not many people digest information after they’ve only heard it once. (can anyone pass that physics or biology test after only reading the information once?) Remind yourself that everyone is fragile and you are not the center of the universe. Your husband is likely as stressed as you are. Ask him what he may need to get off his chest as well. The fact is, how well can you pay attention to details if you are already overwhelmed with information (aka hyper stimulated)? If these reminders do not work, send your partner an email or write a short letter. Consider it a “love letter”. A means for really slowing down to say what you mean. When is the last time you wrote one a love letter to your partner? Do it today. Lastly, try to avoid working out problems during chaotic times. I am not a procrastinator. In fact, I am the anti-thesis of a procrastinator. But for working on marital bliss with your partner, sometimes procrastination is a good thing. Instead of trying to work through a disagreement while the kids are also melting down, postpone it. The immediacy of what you disagreed over will subside. Let yourself mellow for a while (not steep!), and see if you can speak about it when the situation has calmed itself.
  3. Benefit: Improved communication, hands down. By far, the biggest troublemaker in a relationship is lack of or ineffective communication. Usually, it is because of anger or expectations. (i.e. You get angry because expectations were not met. For example, “I thought you were going to pick up the groceries. or I thought Friday was our date night? or I cannot believe you said that to me.”) Explain what you mean, without animosity or hidden agenda. If you cannot do it out loud, do it in writing. Many times, you can explain things better if you write them out first, and you are less likely to let anger dictate your speech.
Stay tuned…5 More Stress Busters to come this week!

*photo taken in June of this year during a trip to Grandfather mountain. …a typical day in the life of any mother….

Share this:

  • Reddit
  • More
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • WhatsApp
  • Tumblr
  • Print

Related

Filed Under: EudeMOMia | From Recovery to Discovery, Mindfulness & Relationships, Mothers Matter, Mothers' Rights & Research, The Informed Patient, The Yoga Prescription Tagged With: balanced living, Mindfulness, relationships, stop stress

Free videos and book excerpt! Join the transformation…

Enter your email address here to sign up for updates from Dr. G, as well as to receive an excerpt from the Medical Therapeutic Yoga book and a special link for free access to dozens of videos in the Medical Therapeutic Yoga video library.

Previous Post: « Part Five: Get It! Instant Energy and Mood Lift
Next Post: Stop Stress In Its Tracks, Day 2 »

Reader Interactions

Leave a comment... Cancel reply

Primary Sidebar

Meet Dr. G

Meet Dr. G

Hello and welcome to EudeMOMia! I'm Dr. Ginger Garner, a mother of 3 & longtime physical therapist and athletic trainer in women's health. I know what it's like to have to overcome poor health & healthcare, and my goal is to empower & advocate for you to help you move from recovery after birth to discovery of your best self! Learn more...

Mindful Living

Mindfulness & Relationships
Mothers' Rights & Research
Mindful Breath & Movement
Mindful Music

Healthy Living

Spine Health
Shoulder Health
Hip & Pelvic Health
Gut Health

Related

Testimonials


Brian C. Kittelson, PT, Minnesota

My wife and I both took your yoga PYT course in the 90s in Minneapolis Minnesota.  I just wanted to let you know that I…


Read more

Meagan Satinsky PT, PYT-C

Hi Ginger! After having some time to digest the (Professional Yoga Therapist) training last week at Emerald Isle I wanted to drop you a note…


Read more

Recent Patient with Ginger

Ginger is working with a postpartum mom with multiple conditions, including second degree tear, vestibulitis, dyspareunia, DRA, non relaxing pelvic floor, back and hip pain,…


Read more

Angie Cooper, Swansboro, NC

Thank you Ginger….thank you, thank you…..for introducing me to yoga. It has been the best thing I’ve ever done for my body and my mind…


Read more

PYT-C from Module 8

Ginger is an amazing instructor and her passion is contagious. This program gives me hope for healthcare.


Read more

Debbie Peel, Swansboro, NC

I couldn’t recommend Ginger enough! She saved me from a second shoulder surgery. I am very impressed with the way she blends Western medicine with…


Read more

Dr. Tawna Wilkinson, PT, DPT, PhD, PCS

Ginger, Being in your presence the past several days (at Module 8/Yoga as Medicine I) has provided such a light for me for many reasons.…


Read more

Ruth Hulette, DOM, PYT-C

Thank you for your thoughtful and encouraging feedback. I found myself feeling quite sad when I walked away today and realized I only have one…


Read more

Wendy, PT, PYT-C

Thank you for revolutionizing healthcare — I am so honored and proud to be a part of this pioneering movement! Raleigh, North Carolina


Read more

Shannon Miller, Swansboro, NC

I can’t thank you enough for ALL you have done for me. Your generosity is overwhelming. Dr. Mather is an excellent physician, and I am…


Read more

Don’t miss a thing.

Sign up for be in the know, including the latest news on events, how you can learn and study with Ginger, blogs and research on hip and women's health (but no spam!) all delivered right to your inbox.

Upcoming Events

  1. Medical Therapeutic Yoga: Foundations for Yoga Practice in Physical Therapy – Feb 21-22, 2020

    February 21, 2020 @ 5:00 pm - February 22, 2020 @ 5:30 pm
  2. Level I Certification

    Yoga as Lifestyle Medicine – Level I Certification – March 13-15, 2020 California

    March 13, 2020 - March 15, 2020
  3. Level I Certification

    Yoga as Lifestyle Medicine Level I Certification – May 1-3, 2020 Charlottesville

    May 1, 2020 - May 3, 2020

View All Events

Let’s Connect

  • View DrGingerGarner’s profile on Facebook
  • View MedicalTherapeuticYoga’s profile on Instagram
  • View GingerGarner’s profile on YouTube
  • View gingergarner’s profile on Vimeo

As featured in…

As featured in…

PODCASTS & LIVE BROADCASTS

View on Instagram

Footer

Quick Links

  • Media Kit
  • Testimonials
  • Events
  • Host A Course
  • Patients
  • Connect
  • Disclaimer

Recent Posts

  • Simple Ways to Sleep Better Tonight
  • Medical Therapeutic Yoga: Using “Windshield Wipers” to Assess & Improve Whole Body Health
  • Is it a Hip Labrum Retear? Plus Easy Hip Hacks & Yoga in Recovery (8 Week, Post 15)
  • Protecting the Sacroiliac Joint in Yoga, Part II
  • Protecting the Sacroiliac Joint in Yoga
  • Earth Day is Our Day
  • Manage Stress & Trauma with this Simple Daily Yoga Habit: The Sensory Diet

RSS The latest from PYTI

  • Mid-Term Essay Requirements
  • “This is What I Do” Series: A Sustainable Model for Healthcare Practice
  • Exit Exam
  • Midterm Exam
  • Revolved Chair Pose – Let the Knee Be Free
  • Recreating ‘Life at the Pink House’ At Home
  • A Meditation: my offering to all of us about to be impacted by Hurricane Florence

Copyright © 2019 Ginger Garner · Disclaimer · Website by Seaport Webworks. · Log in

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.