Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Keeping the Home Stress-Free

A Wayside House by Alfred de Breanski, Jr. (1877 - 1957)

 

In order for your mind to function healthily, stress should be kept to a minimum. There are things that create stress that can be avoided, and there are some things that help reduce the stress once it has come upon you.

Too much stress may come from:

Taking on too much responsibility outside your own home.

Giving yourself too much to do and feeling you must do it all.

Too much noise.

Worrying about the work that is piling up that you never have time for.

Family illnesses, or major events that effect the family, such as losses or re-locating or down-sizing.

Being in a state of alert all the time and never being able to relax.

Other people being critical of you or putting pressure on you to do more things or to make drastic changes thst you are not ready for.

Reducing stress can be as simple as taking a day away from it all and getting some rest.

Many years ago an elderly woman recommended to me that I build up a nest-egg to use when I needed a vacation or a rest. She suggested I take out $20.00 extra dollars cash when I did my grocery shopping by writing the cheque for extra, and putting it in a special account. Then, if I ever needed to take a day away from home to rest and go where meals and housework would be done, I could do so. The fund would pay travel expenses and a day out to a favorite place or town.

Getting away can help settle your mind and organize your thoughts, so that your plans and your strategy for your responsibilities become clearer.

If you cannot get away, try just spending half a day in luxury. There are many things to choose from. Settle down in a comfy place with a stack of books to look through or read, play with dolls, draw or paint, write a letter to a friend, or order in a special tea. You can do that, you know! You can actually order a special tea to come straight to your door. Some grocery stores deliver the food selection of your choice, or, you can order a tea-to-go package several days ahead of time online from the multitude of tea sites available these days. If this is not affordable to you, set up a tea tray for yourself using the prettiest things you have, and enjoy visiting with your children, sister, daughters, mother, or whoever will attend. Even if you are alone, it is as satisfying as going out.

 


 

Naps are good, too, and apparently there is a ritual applied to napping.Some people keep as all quilt, lap blanket, throw,mor shawl at the end of their beds to pull up when taking a nap. That way, the bed does not have to be re-made.

 

At home it is always wise to think on a verse like this, if you feel tension. It has helped me many times. It means to focus your thoughts on Christ and what He stands for. If you have to say it in your mind twenty times a day, it can only help you. If it is impossible to take time off, this verse, sung to your own tune, can get you through many things:

Isaiah 26:3    "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee."

Such a sentence ought to be made into a plaque to place on your desk to read every day.

Christ is called the Rose of Sharon, which is a rose with no thorns, and trusting His word, worshipping and praying to Him can never hurt you.

Reducing noise, clutter, and outside interference, as well as including at least half an hour of total quiet each day can lower stress and even remove it.

As a homemaker, you have to keep your mind healthy and clear and refreshed, so do not pay any attention to any remarks about you sitting still for a spell. Even a car has to be tuned up regularly. Should we treat ourselves with any less respect? I used to think that putting stress on myself by taking on extra work was good, but later I came to understand that your adrenaline is needed for emergencies, or when unplanned, unforeseen things ocurr. There is no use in bringing stress on yourself deliberately but if you look after yourself, you will be strong when you have to be strong.

 

23 comments:

Mary said...

Thanks for this. I have been sewing for other people and too much lately. Time to slow that down!

amulbunny's random thoughts said...

Because of the meds I take, I usually get tired out about 330P . I have my wonderful hippie colored fleece Snuggie that I pull over myself, turn Pandora to instrumental hymns, and make sure the dogs are at their appointed places. The nap refreshes me and helps me stay up at night.


(But I intensely dislike DST and wish it wasn't there)

Lydia said...

I do not see why we should adhere to DST. The government is the only one that care take a piece off the top of the blanket and sew it on the bottem of the blanket and tell everyone they have a longer blanket.

Jacqui said...

Great advice! Thank you
Blessings
Jacqui

Christine said...

I chuckled out loud when I read your words about the car, "Even a car has to be tuned up regularly.".
This is so true!
I really appreciate the time and thought you put into your blog.

Lydia said...

Thank you all for taking time to comment.

lauraelizabeth4@outlook.com said...

Such an encouraging post! I have been taking time out for rest and found it to be very refreshing. I set the timer and the children must be absolutely silent until it goes off. It really gives me a boost. I liked your comment about DST.

Michelle said...

Thank you, I am going to walk in your advice today :)
We just moved and things are a bit chaotic around me.

Today I am taking tea :)

Blessings x

me said...

Thank you, I needed to hear such advice at the moment. Incidentally, one of ways I relax sometimes is to read your blog :-)

Greetings from England.

Susan said...

Thank you for this. I have moved recently and was upset because we are still not arranged in the new place. Sometimes things just take longer than anticipated. I save for a mini vacation on a smaller scale by saving my change. I use cash for most purchases and the change goes into a special bag in my purse. It's not much but I can buy a small gift for myself at the thrift store or a special treat at the grocery. For days when I am alone and I am really stressed I have a collection of movies that put a smile on my face and I sit down with some sewing and have a movie marathon. I think DST is meant to just confuse us. I love your comment about it. It is definitely an unnecessary law, as many of them are.

anonymous said...

Oh Lydia,
thank you for posting this for me. You are such a dear. You are right, sometimes we can't do much about our circumstances, but we can destress and for me it begins with getting my focus back on Christ and what he's already done for me. Then incorporating the other ideas you mentioned.
Again your counsel is appreciated and heeded.
Blessings, Mrs. J.

anonymous said...

Oh Lydia,
thank you for posting this for me. You are such a dear. You are right, sometimes we can't do much about our circumstances, but we can destress and for me it begins with getting my focus back on Christ and what he's already done for me. Then incorporating the other ideas you mentioned.
Again your counsel is appreciated and heeded.
Blessings, Mrs. J.

Amy Techentin said...

This was very needed for me today too! We can't control all of our stresses but we can control how we respond and pay attention to the ones we do have control over.
"Being in a state of alert all the time and never being able to relax."
I had never thought about this being a cause of stress but I really, really struggle with this. I need to build in some down-time for myself I think.

Thank you for all of the time and energy you put into your blog-you are blessing so many by doing so!

living from glory to glory said...

Dear Lydia, You are very wise in helping us all realize how important it is to our well being to be still and rest a bit. I think we should do this almost everyday.I feel refreshed after a cup of mint tea and a little rest. I did have a lovely time with my daughter and I believe after 13 years of prayer her heart has come home, and her husband was kind to me. And the children and I had a great time!
Blessings to you! Roxy

Unknown said...

During times in my life when I was stressed I made myself a "sanity box". Mine first was an accordion file that I labeled with various topics. Into each I put newspaper and magazine articles that I had found to be uplifting and encouraging, another section was for articles about people who have made or are making a positive interest. In another section I put magazine pictures of beautiful, peaceful scenery, domestic scenes, or lovely photos of pretty holiday decorations or table settings. Another section had recipes I wanted to try. Another was crafts. Last but not least was a section of pretty fashions (generally classic or Victorian style). Oh, And I forgot another section was poems or special letters or notes from family and friends. When I was stressed or discouraged, I would also dress up, make a cup of tea, and surround myself with all the lovely things that are "me", those that are noble and elevating. Over the years my collection has broadened and I have it in a plastic file box with dividers. These can be decorated any way that you like! Hope this helps someone else who is experiencing stress in their life.

Mrs. Laura Lane said...

I found this quite encouraging to me today.
Blessings,
Laura of Harvest Lane Cottage

Rightthinker said...

Thank you very much for this wonderful reminder and encouragement for me today.

God Bless you today, Lydia!

Anonymous said...

What a very sensible and encouraging post. It is almost non 'p.c' to admit you need a rest! Particularly if you are at home anyway.
I have very frequent migraines and the meds make me tired (like another commenter above) ; by allowing myself a rest when needed I manage the condition reasonably well, but if I ignore this there's trouble!
Love the idea of a 'sanity box' from another reader above...you have started a very interesting 'thread', once again, Lydia.
I wish you a wonderful, restful day!
Alexandra Rose

Blessed Homemaking said...

Such a wonderful, helpful post. It is much too easy to get overly stressed these days.

Mary said...

This is so very true.

Homemaker's Heart said...

Hello Lady Lydia~ I just happened to pop in to get a good shot in the arm of encouragement. A sort of pick me up on a really bad day. My mouth fell open I saw the topic - keeping the home stress free. In the past week, since we decided to move from Ohio (were we have lived for 6 years) back to be closer to family in southern Colorado...God is moving faster than we prepared. My husband's job change has gone smooth and faster than anticpated, the realtor and church contact has been amazing. And I am in the midst of trying to figure out a garden, moving, new grand baby and manage keeping my health in a good place. I can't tell you how much I am grateful that you listen to God's prompting to write on this.

Only In My Dreams said...

Thank you for the gentle reminder to care not only for our homes, family but also ourselves. I'm in a new season of my life at 42 mother of 5 and a homemaker with our newest arrivals 2 month old twin boys. Stress is the word for my everyday. Now, I'll seek out the much needed time for me so I can be better for my family. Thank you again for your inspirational words.

Ruth said...

as a single momma raising 6 kids and dealing with a stressful situation, this was a good reminder!