If you’re a mother, it isn’t hard to understand why so many mothers feel this way. Not only do they have to worry about keeping the house orderly while working a full-time job, but they also have to worry about making sure all of the children have clean clothes, are fed, their homework is completed, they make all extracurricular activities on time, and much more. All of this tends to mentally weigh us, as mothers, down. This is why it’s so important that you, as a mother, find a way to get organized.

It’s amazing how much more clearly we can think and how much better we feel when our lives are organized…or at least feel organized. Organization comes in many different forms and these are different from person to person. For example, some women find that making “To-Do” lists each night helps them prepare for the next day while keeping them organized. Other mothers like to use a dry erase board to create a chart containing everything that needs to be done on various days. These charts may contain anything and everything from soccer games to dentist appointments to when the bathroom needs to be cleaned. Then, there are other mothers out there who are good at keeping track of important dates and deadlines but get stressed out when the house is a mess. Therefore, these women focus more on organizing their homes instead of important dates and deadlines.

The truth about the scenarios listed above is that these are just a few of the many different ways in which mothers get organized. The important thing to keep in mind as you search for the right way to get organized is that you focus on narrowing down the source of your stress. Once you know what it is that causes you to get the most stressed, you can begin to organize that area in your life.

Also, don’t feel as if you have to do this all on your own. The healthiest families are those that help each other. If you are one who can’t focus with a “dirty” house, then consider making out a chore chart and giving each member of the family designated chores that need to be done every week. This will dramatically help reduce your stress level.

Reducing your stress level is very important – for every mother. Generally, when mothers are less stressed they are more pleasant to be around, enjoy life more and are healthier overall. Once stress and worry is reduced, you’ll be able to focus on what’s really important – your family. Therefore, why not get organized and start living life to the fullest?

The first reason that every mother needs her own “me time” is because none of us are Super Woman. It is impossible for us to deal with all of the daily demands placed on us as a wife, mother and woman without giving somewhere. After doing this day in and day out, it’s only natural that we begin to feel burned out. This is generally when we get a little “cranky.” I know you all know what I’m talking about. Therefore, it’s important that you give yourself at least 6 hours every WEEK of “me time.” It will keep you sane.

Not only will “me time” keep you sane, it will also give you time to do whatever it is you enjoy doing. It doesn’t matter if you enjoy reading romance novels, shopping, getting your nails done, going to the movies, cooking, etc. “Me time” is the time you give to yourself every week to do anything you want to do. Why is this important? So many women live life to the fullest before they get married and have kids. They know what things they enjoy doing the most – and they do them. However, when these women get married and have children they don’t have the time to do these things, and eventually, they forget all about the things they used to enjoy and, in a sense, they forget who they were. Giving yourself six hours a week will give you the ability to continue to enjoy all the things in life you enjoyed before kids.

Finally, setting aside “me time” isn’t just for your own benefit, but it’s also for your family’s benefit as well. Once you begin to carve out a little time for yourself every week, you’ll find that you’re in a better mood and less irritable. Your family will enjoy this too. In addition, whether or not you want to admit it, your children, and maybe your husband too, need to learn how to handle things on their own – without you around. Whether you decide to give yourself “me time” an hour every day or 6 hours one day a week, this time away will teach your family how to survive on their own – even if it is just for a little while.

There is one last thing you need to understand about “me time.” Setting time aside for yourself does not make you selfish or a bad mother. Don’t ever let this idea take root in your brain. You need time to yourself so that you can become a better mother. You’ll be more patient and loving as a result. You’ll also be healthier as you won’t be nearly as stressed out. So, do yourself a favor and start taking some “me time!”

There are many health problems that can arise when we allow ourselves to worry too much. Now, please understand that worrying is a normal thing for people to do, especially mothers, it’s the excessive worrying that we need to control. Excessive worrying is when you find yourself worrying about something practically all day, every day. This is the worrying that can cause health problems. The health problems that can arise from excessive worrying include:

•    Anxiety Attacks
•    Digestive Disorders
•    Physical Illness
•    High Blood Pressure
•    Muscle Tension
•    Weak Immune System
•    Premature Coronary Artery Disease
•    Heart Attack
•    Memory Loss

The list above is a short list of the health problems that can be caused by excessive worrying. As good mothers, the thing we want most is to be in good health so we can always be here for our children. Therefore, it’s important that we learn how to manage our worry. Below are a few things that can help you manage worry.

Eat Right: It’s important to realize that when you’re excessively worrying about something, you’re most likely not eating right. Therefore, concentrate on eating a healthy, balanced diet. Make sure you are eating enough throughout the day, but also make sure you aren’t overdoing it either. Eating right is important when trying to control your worrying because when you’re focused on eating right, you’re not focusing on the things you’re usually worrying about. It’s also important for your physical health.

Exercise Daily: Exercising has a way of making us feel better. When you exercise every day, you will be giving your mind a break from the worries that have been plaguing it. You will also be releasing chemicals within your body that work to improve your immune system.

Meditate: Meditation has been around for centuries and is well-known for its therapeutic powers. In order  to meditate correctly, you must be in a quiet place and be still. You must clear your mind and concentrate on nothing but the present. This means that you must not allow your mind to think about anything that may happen in the future or has happened in the past. Meditating daily has been proven effective in helping manage worry and stress.

Relax: Make time to relax every day. Even if you can only find 20 minutes, it will help reduce your worrying tremendously. Methods for relaxing is different for everyone, you may be able to relax by reading a book, watching television, soaking in the bathtub or gardening. The key is that you take the time to do whatever it is that relaxes you every day.

Get Counseling: If you struggle with excessive counseling and can’t control it on your own, then you need to find a therapist. Just having someone to talk to about your excessive worrying will help. Don’t be afraid to seek help if you need it, because excessive worrying is dangerous for your health.

Of course, all of this is excluding the extra stuff like keeping the house clean, doing laundry, paying bills, etc. Now you can probably see why many mothers aren’t concerned with their health. You may be one of these women yourself. If so, then please understand that it’s important for you to stay healthy. After all, if you get sick then who is going to get everything done? Below are some healthy tips that you need to follow to ensure your good health.

Tip #1 – Eat: Obviously, you don’t have a lot of time to eat, but this is essential to staying healthy. Most of us know that we need to eat three meals a day, but do you also know that you should be eating at least two snacks a day as well? This will keep your metabolism going and your energy levels up – so don’t skimp on your food. You should be eating healthy foods too. Things like yogurt, fruit, granola bars and nuts are quick, easy and healthy!

Tip #2 – Drink: Water that is. In addition to eating healthy foods, you need to be drinking water throughout your day. We’ve all heard the “8 glasses a day” speech so I’m not going to give it to you again. Just stay properly hydrated. It will keep your energy levels up as well as flush the impurities out of your body and ward off urinary tract infections and much more.

Tip #3 – Exercise: Your body needs exercise each day and it doesn’t care whether you’re a mother or not. Although you may find yourself busy throughout the day and exhausted at the end of the day, it’s important that you squeeze in at least 20-30 minutes of exercise each day. There are several ways you can do this. For instance, you can go on a walk after dinner, play Xbox Kinect or Nintendo Wii games with your family or enroll in a yoga class at a fitness club.

Tip #4 – Be Happy: As women and mothers, we tend to overload ourselves with work, family and worries. There isn’t much time to focus on being happy. However, this is important too. Studies have shown that, generally, happy people are healthier people. In order to become happier, consider setting aside a little time for yourself every day – or week – to do something you like doing. This time will help you feel refreshed and become happier.

Tip #5 – Sleep: Getting a good night of sleep is critical to your overall health. Sleep is when your body recharges itself. So, naturally, if you aren’t getting enough sleep you aren’t operating on a “full battery,” which means you’ll wear out quicker. It also means your body will too, which depletes your immune system. So, get the sleep you need at night.

Have Quiet Time: One of the easiest ways to calm your nerves and dissolve your stress is to set aside some time each day where you can just sit and relax. Many women find that the best time to do this is early in the morning before they wake their children up for school. However, there are others who do this mid-morning/afternoon when their kids are at school…even right before bed has been found to work too. Regardless of when you do this, it may help you clear your mind and calm your nerves – so, give it a try. It doesn’t have to be much time – as little as 20 minutes!

Pamper Yourself: For most mothers, pampering isn’t feasible. However, this isn’t the normal kind of “spa-treatment” most associate pampering with. The kind of pampering I’m suggesting can be done at home. To help yourself de-stress consider purchasing a few nicely scented candles, bath salts and new lotion. Then, after the kids are in bed, lock yourself in the bathroom and light the candles while you fill the tub with steaming water and watch the bath salts dissolve. Take a long (minimum of 30 minutes) bath and then apply the lotion once you’re out and dry. You’ll be surprised at how relaxed you will feel when you emerge from the bathroom.

Call a Friend: Sometimes, life can seem unbearable and it’s just too much for us to take by ourselves. This is when you need to pick up the phone and call a friend. We all have days when we just need to vent. However, it isn’t good to vent to our children and, sometimes, we should refrain from venting to our husbands as well – they just don’t always understand and make things worse by trying to “fix it.” So, pick up the phone and call a friend. Tell her what’s going on and that you’re just venting. You’ll feel much better once you’re done and your stress level will be lower too.

Listen to Music: When you’re in the car driving to and from work or taking the kids to the various places they need to be, try listening to music. Music has a way of unlocking the worries we have been carrying with us throughout the day and releasing them. Make a CD containing a collection of your favorite “feel good” songs and keep in your car so you will always have some uplifting music waiting for you. You’ll find that this CD will help your spirits on the days when everything seems to be going wrong.

Be Selfish: That’s right – be selfish. I know this goes against everything mothers are “supposed” to be, but every now and then it’s okay to be selfish. There are days when we, as mothers, get extremely overwhelmed because we are being pulled in so many different directions. This is when you need to take 30 minutes to an hour and just do whatever you want. It doesn’t matter if it’s writing in your journal, reading or taking a nap – do whatever you want. You will feel relaxed, de-stressed and able to focus after your mini-break.