Okay, before we get to the fun stuff, I need to preface this post with why I'm doing a stress relief post. The diagnosis for my mom (read my last post) is moderate Alzheimer's. Medicaid is being unfair, so Mom isn't able to be placed in a home anytime soon. So, right now she's living with me. She basically has a little apartment in the back of my house where she has her own space. That makes it easier when she's having an episode because I can ask her to go to her room until she's calmed down. She can't be left alone... ever.... so I'm stuck at my house 90% of the time. That's fine because spring is coming and the kids and I can go hang out in the yard to get some time to ourselves. It's going well most of the time, but there are a few things that I'm doing to relieve some of the stress that occasionally pops up. So here we are- Things I'm Obsessed With: Stress Edition
1) Phantom of the Opera
Sofia and I have been watching the Broadway version on Netflix for days. She's been getting pretty good at singing the tune and everyone in the house has had the songs stuck in their heads for days. (You're welcome, household!) There's just something soothing about this love story. The love, the opportunity, the tragedy.... It's just so easy to get lost in.
2) The Ellen Show
We don't have cable or satellite,
so I have to watch clips on Youtube, but that's okay by me! She's so positive and just loves everyone. She's a great example of the person I want to be. It gives me something to focus on and strive for. I sit back and soak in the comedy and touching moments. She's a great stress reliever.
3) Southern Living/ Country Living Magazines
One day, Josh and I are going to build our dream house. Until that day, I'm poring through these two magazines looking for floor plans/ decorating ideas/ gardening ideas/ etc... I tear the pages out that are useful and put them in my Homemaker's Bible (a binder for meal plans, cleaning schedules, bill paying schedules, recipes, pantry lists, etc...) for reference later. I get inspired and it gives me something to look forward to in our future after the chaos passes.
4) Jasmine/ Rose Essential Oils
According to my essential oils desk reference book, these oils are perfect for depression and mental clarity. They help stimulate calm and cognitive abilities. I diffuse them occasionally and I also put
a drop of Jasmine behind Mom's ears very morning. She has moments of hopelessness where she feels like she can't take it anymore. I can't make her feel better. I just can't. Her delusions are so real to her that there's no way of talking her down during them. At this point, I'm willing to try any unconventional treatments (that don't affect her medication she's prescribed, of course) to try and help any way I can.
5) Organization
Last Sunday, I tore my house apart going on a cleaning and organizing frenzy. Unfortunately, before I could finish, we moved Mom in, so the house is still disorganized. Chaos stresses me almost to the point of insanity. If I know that there's anywhere
in my house that isn't straightened, I feel like I always have something that needs to get done. I don't ever relax. Josh and I gave Isaiah his own room which means that Sawyer had to move in with Sofia. Imagine how many toys got squeezed into that room. And Sawyer doesn't want Sofia touching his stuff, but his stuff is EVERYWHERE. We are still figuring out exactly what organizing tools we need to get that room straightened up and we're getting them bunkbeds to alleviate space issues. Can we say cha-ching? I see our savings dwindling away, but it helps the house run smoothly, so it must be done.
6) Our New Bed and Mattress
We finally caved and bought a king-sized bed. We've been sleeping on a full size for almost 8 years. When both kids come to snuggle at night, Josh and I end up hanging off the edges of the mattress and we're tired and sore the next day. We scoured Harrison and finally found GREAT deal on an Ashley bed frame and THE perfect mattress. They'll be coming in this week and I can't wait. It will be a fantastic escape at the end of the day.
7) Cake Pops
Let's be real.... sweets are my go to when I'm stressed. It sucks, but I won't deny myself. At the store last night I discovered that they sell pre-made
cake pops! Normally, I would make them myself (you guys know me) however, a barely have time to cook an actual meal-- let alone something unnecessary. They're on the frozen food aisle and the box said to thaw before serving. Obviously those people are stupid because cake and icing is ALWAYS better when frozen.
8) Running
This is an indulgent goody that I haven't been able to do in awhile. I started the C25k program last fall and had to quit for 6 weeks because I got pneumonia. Well, by the time I
could run again, it was cold and I didn't want to. I was going to start again this spring, but since Josh has such a sporadic schedule and I can't leave Mom alone, we've been trying to figure out how I can get my running in. We're checking out treadmills. I would prefer to run outside, but again, with the mom situation and Josh being gone next year, I have to either treadmill it, or do nothing. Well, I'm fat and cranky, so treadmill it is!
Here you have it.... The things I'm doing or am trying to accomplish to help relieve stress for all people in our house. We'll get there one day at a time. This is just and adjustment period, right? Right.
Please continue to send positive vibes and prayers our way. Things are looking better than they did two weeks ago, so they can only keep going up!
Happy stress-free Monday!
Heather
