3 EASY STEPS TO REDUCE STRESS AND ANXIETY AS A PARENT OF A CHILD WITH SPECIAL NEEDS.

Being the parent of a special needs child is not easy!

There are so many things that could go wrong at any given moment that leads to a constant high level of stress. We end up living in the "flight or flight" stage 24/7, which is really hard on our health.

In this blog post, I am going to share 3 easy steps we can take as parents with special needs kids to give our bodies and minds a break from the high levels of stress we are so use to living with.

STEP 1

Figure out a way that you can have at least one full hour a week to do something you love 💕 and that brings you pure joy! 😊

The good news is....it doesn't even have to cost any money.

It can be something as simple as soaking in a nice hot bath 🛁 with epsom salts while reading that book you've been meaning to read for the past several weeks, months or even years. 📖

It could be talking with a friend who really gets you and who is a good listener. Someone who you always feel SO much better after you've talked with them.

Or even just going for a nice walk or hike for an hour.

The idea is to give yourself a chance to recharge at least once a week so that you will have the energy to be the best parent you can possibly be! 😁

STEP 2

Take at least 10-15 minutes every single day to turn off ALL electronics and allow your mind the time to be quiet.

Yep!

You read that correct. I had the unbelievable nerve to actually suggest that you turn off your TV, radio, laptop and even your cell phone! I know....I know, now you are really thinking I have totally lost my mind.

But wait!

Just hear me out...

With all the noise that we are constantly surrounding ourselves with, no wonder we feel anxious and overlwhelmed. The grand majority of us are a wee bit addicted to social media be it Facebook, Instagram, Pintrest, YouTube.....or all of the above. We spend hours and hours every single day on the internet.

Of all 24 hours in a day, I am just suggesting that you carve out a mere 10-15 minutes and allow your mind to have a complete 100% break in complete silence.

If you are able to go outside for a walk or a hike, that is even better! But the main point is to give your mind 10-15 minutes every single day that you don't worry about anything or even THINK about anything.

Just breathe the fresh air and enjoy the peace and quiet.

Don't listen to anything.

Don't read anything.

Just clear all your thoughts and enjoy the few quiet moments.

I guarantee if you do this on a daily basis, your body will thank you big time for it! 😁 Your kids will be glad you do this as well 😊

STEP 3

Start everyday thinking of at least 3 things you are thankful for. Like before you even get out of bed, think of them. It is a great way to start your day on the right foot.

It is physically impossible to stress or have anxiety while at the same time focusing on things you are thankful or grateful for. Somehow our minds just have a hard time stressing and being thankful simultaneously.

So if you can keep a journal by your bed and every single morning before you get out of bed, just jot down at least 3 things you are thankful for, that will help lower your levels of stress and anxiety.

If you are like, "Nadya, I have soo many things to do first thing in the morning....I do NOT have time to write down things I am thankful for in some journal before I get out of bed!" Then no problem. I hear you! At least THINK of 3 things you are thankful for as you are getting out of bed.

Sound fair enough? 😊

Great!👌

Oh yes! One more thing....every day you have to think of 3 NEW things you are thankful for. You can't repeat any of the things you have already listed. They must be new things you are thankful for each day.

One book that I read and would HIGHLY recommend is called "How to stop worrying and start living" by Dale Carnage

WOW! Such an incredible book!! Loaded with tons more great ideas for how to stop worrying. 😁👍

In conclusion, the 3 easy steps that I recommend you take to decrease stress and anxiety in your life is to:

1. Spend at least one hour once a week doing something that you love and that brings you joy! 😊

2. Carve out 10-15 minutes every day to completely quiet your mind.

3. Start off each morning thinking of at least 3 things you are thankful for.

I'd absolutely love to hear from you! 😊💕

Let me know in the comments below, what are 3 things you are thankful for in your life?

~ If you are a parent of a special needs child, I would Love to have you in my private FB group. It is a safe environment, strictly for parents with special needs kids, where you can get the encouragement and support from other parents who can relate to what you are going through. The name of my private FB group is “Special Needs Parenting SOS.” ~ 😇💕

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