Operation: Relaxation!

Your goal: Get over your destress obstacles once and for all!

You've probably felt this way a hundred times. You know stress is bad for your physical and mental health, but when it comes to relief, you either don't do what you know you should (go for a walk, do some deep breathing, take a yoga class) or are too busy to work it into your schedule.
Step 1: Identify and Conquer
Two of the most common roadblocks are guilt and perfectionism. There seems to be this unspoken expectation that women should be able to do it all and do it well. But we need to learn to relax. Me included! Let's try this to start: Practice doing 1 thing differently than usual, no matter how small. Ask your husband to make the bed, or leave the laundry to put away the next morning. Changing the way you do one thing a few times a week will dial down your stress level.
Step 2: Make your (small) plan of attack
Think of 1 thing that will bring you a source of joy or rejuvination per day. Ask yourself whats doable and feels special. Add a few minutes to your shower, wake up 5 minutes earlier to read or have a cup of hot cider, whatever it is the smaller you start the easier it will be to make it a permanent habit.
Step 3:Think outside the box
Here are some examples, some may be unconventional but may work for you. Scream therapy (into a pillow), folding laundry-some people find this relaxing because it is a mindless activity but also completes a task, have a get-together with friends-the 'tend and befriend' response (of course, if you stress about the details, that one's not for you), baking, watching a favorite TV show (Fall Season starts this week-Yeah!), vacuuming, or walking a child to or from school-this is my favorite.
Step 4: Make it Happen
Plan ahead and make changes to help this new daily habit happen. Think and write it down, plan A, if not able to do A, then do plan B. Whatever it is planning for it also still gives you a sense of control.
Step 5: Stay on course
So now you've figured out how to squeeze it into your schedule. Now comes the tough part: maintenance. As weird as it may sound, putting yourself on your to-do list can help.The more you give yourself permission to do it, the more you do the activity, and the more you'll see the benefits, and the more you'll want to fit it in.
Step 6: Keep this last resort in mind
When things don't go according to plan, its OK. For these situations, when you feel your heart start pounding, you feel anxious, take slow deep breaths and count down from 10. This could also be useful when anticipating a stressful event or situation (like a call with your child's teacher).
Hopefully this tidbit of advice will be encouraging in making your life a little more blissful!