Top 9 Life-Changing Habits For Busy Moms To Reduce Overwhelm
How can you take control of things and reduce overwhelm as a mom?
Are you a busy mom looking for ways to get organized and make your day-to-day life smoother? If so, this article is for you! We’ve rounded up the top nine habits that will help you reduce your stress and be less overwhelmed.
1 - Organize your thoughts and information:
Organizing our thoughts and information can be a challenging process, especially when faced with large amounts of data or complex problems and little time. But if we take the time to structure our ideas logically, we will be better equipped to tackle any project or problem more efficiently.
There are several strategies you can use to organize your thoughts and information more effectively. One of the most popular methods is called mind mapping, which involves creating diagrams that connect related concepts visually, so they’re easier to remember and understand. This technique allows you to quickly identify patterns in your data and potential solutions or ideas for further exploration.
Another helpful strategy is using lists which enables you to prioritize tasks according to importance while also breaking them down into smaller steps that are easier to complete one by one instead of all at once.
Additionally, keeping track of progress through checklists ensures that no critical details are overlooked during the execution.
Using a central hub of information to dump all your references and thoughts on the go is a fantastic way to keep things off your mind. I use Asana, but Trello, Evernote, or any other cloud-based project management tool would also work.
2 - Plan ahead of time
Taking the time to plan and create a schedule can help you better manage your time. And the best time to plan your day is the night before.
Be realistic and prioritize. Define what those activities that will move the needle toward your goal are. Use The 80-20. Spend 80% of your time on 20% of the "needle mover" tasks.
As yourself:
- What is most important now?
- What is the one thing I want to focus on tomorrow?
- Are you giving yourself permission? Meaning are you allowing yourself time and space to do it?
Download our Free Time Management Workbook to help you define your goals and prioritize efficiently.
3- Delegate
One of the most important habits busy moms can adopt to manage their time and energy better is delegation. Here are the best resources you can use to help you take things off your plate."
Family members
Delegating household tasks to other family members, such as children or spouses, can help reduce stress and free up more time for activities that require mom’s attention. It also helps teach kids valuable skills like responsibility and independence while giving them a sense of ownership in the home. Moreover, delegating tasks among family members allows everyone to contribute meaningfully to keeping the house in order.
Store Pick up or Delivery
Did you know that the average person spends in average about 60hrs per year on the grocery store? 60hrs! That is more than a 1 and 1/2 weeks of extra vacation time a year. You should always try to optimize the time you spend on grocery and other house inventory shopping. Online orders to pick up in-store or deliver groceries directly can be incredibly time saving.
While there is nothing like choosing the fresh items yourself, the benefit of saving 60+ hours per year with this time-consuming task makes it worth the risk of getting a few less-than-perfect apples every now and then. I almost never go to the supermarket nowadays.
Virtual Assistants
You can also consider using external resources to help you save time. Hiring a virtual assistant is a fantastic way to do that. There are so many great options with very different price ranges to choose from, such as Upwork, Fiver, Hiremymom.com, or overseas networks of freelancers with very affordable hourly rates.
Food Prep Services
Consider finding someone to help you with the food preparation. Check Care.com. The best way to do this is to prepare a weekly menu and have it ready for your helper when she/he comes once or twice a week. They can do the shopping, and leave things washed, pilled, chopped, sliced, portioned, etc., for the entire week, so you can conveniently finish healthy dishes in a few minutes daily.
4-Reduce Distractions
In an era of constantly-connected devices and instant notifications, it can be difficult for busy moms to stay focused on their tasks. While it can be difficult to eliminate distractions, there are some simple steps that busy moms can take to reduce them and make the most of their precious time. Here are the two best strategies for that:
Emails
Stop checking your emails constantly. Instead, get into the habit of setting up blocks of time during the day.
Try downloading a focus app
Fortunately, focus apps are becoming increasingly popular among parents looking to reduce distractions and maximize their time. These helpful tools help users block out distractions, set timers for certain activities or tasks, and offer other features designed to boost productivity. By using a focus app, busy moms can make the most of their limited time without getting overwhelmed by constant notifications or sidetrack by social media posts.
7-Stop multitasking
Multitasking has been hailed as a great way to increase productivity, but in reality, it can be detrimental to your success. While multitasking may seem an effective way of getting more done in less time, research shows that it reduces productivity and increases stress levels. Studies have shown that people who attempt to multitask often take longer to finish their tasks than those who focus on one task at a time.
When you multitask, your brain cannot fully focus on any task. Instead of being able to dedicate all of its resources towards the completion of one task at hand, your mind is constantly switching back and forth between different activities, which makes it difficult for you to concentrate or remember details about what you’re doing. This means that even if you manage to get through multiple tasks quickly while multitasking, the quality will suffer due to the lack of attention given to each task.
Additionally, when we try and do too much at once, our brains become overwhelmed with information which can lead us to make mistakes or not catch errors before they happen, causing rework down the line or missed deadlines altogether. Furthermore, attempting too many things simultaneously also increases your stress level, reducing your productivity.
In his book "The ONE Thing," Gary Keller talks about the extraordinary results people and companies can achieve if, instead of multitasking and setting up multiple goals, they focus on just ONE thing until it's accomplished and then move to the next one.
8 - Use a household notebook
UStaying organized with a household notebook or command center can help keep the family on track.
A proper household notebook should include, Meal planning, School information, Kids' Friends information, Neigthbous Information, a Family Emergency Plan, Travel Planner, and Party Planner.
Download our Free Family Organizing Handbook to help you get started.
9 - Let go of perfectionism
Perfectionism can often be a source of stress in our lives as we strive to reach an unattainable ideal. Unfortunately, this thinking can keep us from achieving our goals or enjoying life’s simple pleasures. It is essential to recognize the importance of letting go of perfectionism and embracing imperfection to reduce stress and enjoy life more fully.
Remember that done is better than perfect, and your goal should be a happy and balanced life, not a perfect one.
8 - Organize your Home in a S.M.A.R.T way
For busy moms, home organizing can be essential to reduce stress and create a functional home environment. Keeping things simply organized can provide an atmosphere of control and help keep daily routines running smoother.
Your home should be organized in a S.M.A.R.T . SMART stands for: Systematic, Minimalistic, Appealing, Realistic & Tailored.
Systematic
Create systems based on your family routines. Think about what process you can implement that will systematize your efforts. For example, if you buy in bulk, place half of the purchase in an easy-to-reach, "prime real estate" location and the other half in "a storage" location. Once you finish what you have in the easy-to-reach location, order more and bring the rest from "storage." I keep half of my toilet paper in the basement and the other half in each bathroom under the sink.
Minimalistic
The best way to keep things organized is to reduce what you have in your home. The more you reduce and the least you have, the easier it will be to keep things under control.
Think that each item you bring to your home will require your time and attention. Reduce and keep things simple.
Appealing
Creating a cozy and inviting environment will help you relax and enjoy your home with your friends and family.
When it comes to organizing your home in an appealing way, simple and functional is the way to go. Consider purchasing simple furniture that can be easily organized into any room you need while providing ample storage where needed.
Use mirrors, which can make a space look larger and brighter and eliminate clutter - only concentrate on items that bring you joy.
Soft fabrics such as curtains and rugs, with cushy pillows for comfortable seating, will help create an inviting atmosphere for you and your guests.
Hang photos and artwork that speak to your style, or add some houseplants, which come in all sizes and can add a touch of sophistication or a fun pop of color, creating a cozy atmosphere without investing too much effort or money.
Realistic
Don't try to create a picture-perfect home. Instead, think about your situation and what can realistically work for you. For example, decanting food into containers it's the perfect way to keep food fresh and make the party look beautiful, but It is very time-consuming. It might not be realistic for you to maintain a system like this in your home.
Tailored
The way you organize each space should be tailored to the needs and preferences of the members of the family who uses the space. Don't try to replicate a Pinterest post just because it looks beautiful. In my blog post "Mistakes To Avoid When Home Organizing", I explain why it is important to keep your family dynamics in mind when organizing and why it is essential to include everyone in this process.
9 - Be grateful
It sounds simple but expressing your gratitude for what you have in life, especially at night time, can go a long way toward helping you better manage stress levels and achieve more balance in your life.
Being grateful does not mean ignoring the problems we may face or glossing over difficult situations; rather, it means taking stock of our blessings and appreciating them despite any challenges we may encounter. Focusing on positive aspects such as good health, meaningful relationships, or even simply having enough food to eat can help us realize how much we truly have to be thankful for. This realization can make us feel calmer and less overwhelmed when faced with stressful situations. Additionally, research has shown that practicing gratitude helps improve physical health by reducing inflammation linked to chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes.
Expressing gratitude also helps us shift our focus from negative thoughts to positive ones. Being in a positive state of mind will also help you stay productive and achieve your goals.
Being a busy mom is not easy, but it doesn't have to be overwhelming. It is always possible to strive for balance by setting clear priorities and being mindful of your goals. Those ten habits help us keep focused on what matters to us most and make time for ourselves. Working smarter is the key to finding balance and establishing healthy life patterns. We can learn to stop multitasking and start focusing on one job at a time, prioritize tasks, delegate home duties when possible, reduce distractions, let go of perfectionism, and find moments to be grateful.
To make this process easier, download our Free Organizing Toolkit, a practical guide to help you organize your Home, Time and Family.
