Baby refusing to sleep? Teething throwing everything off? Can’t catch up on housework? Feeling like the default parent?

The more overwhelmed and stressed you feel, the more your baby will feel it.

When you take the time to regulate your emotions before tending to your children, it will be easier for them to regulate theirs.

Here are some tips to give yourself a “reset” when you’ve been feeling overstimulated.

The components of an effective reset include:

This can be done quickly, but it is a crucial first step in the reset process. When feeling overwhelmed, slowing down the racing thoughts is key. A few ways to regulate your system include:

The goal here is to shift the negative talk or self-blaming thoughts to more positive and grateful ones. You can do this several ways, including:

This one is less of a guide and more of an encouragement, as only you know what makes you happy. A few loose suggestions:

A big piece of what leaves moms feeling swamped and overwhelmed most of the time is the never-ending to-do list and the need for more time or energy. Knocking off a quick task on your laundry list of chores can help to give you an instant feeling of accomplishment! Some quick tidying-up recommendations:

This is very similar to tip number 4 (doing something that feels productive). When we can clear things from our plate by asking for and accepting help, it can lift some of the weight of ongoing responsibility. Though this can look different for everyone, here are a few ways to put this into practice:

Remember Mama, like they tell you on the airplane, you must put your oxygen mask on first before helping others. The more you refill your bucket, the more you will have to pour out onto your children.