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PEP Blog

10|31

12 Ways to De-stress as a Parent

These days, given the pandemic, chaos in the news and the impending presidential election, it can feel like stress is never-ending. Add onto it the increased responsibilities of working and schooling from home, it can feel like you never get a moment for yourself to calm down. So, we asked our PEP Parent Educators how they de-stress in times like these in the hopes that some of their wisdom can help you cope with everything that’s going on. Here’s what they had to say:

Lisa DiSciullo

“When I feel myself fretting about all the uncertainties and what I DON’T know, I ask myself what I DO know. I list all the privileges and luxuries I have: a loving family, my health, a warm home, delicious food, good friends, and work that I love.”

“Cuando siento que estoy preocupada por las incertidumbres y por lo que no sé, me pregunto, qué es lo que SÍ sé…Enumero todos los privilegios y lujos que tengo: una familia amorosa, mi salud, un hogar cálido, comida deliciosa, buenos amigos y un trabajo que amo.”

Dana Spencer

“Change the environment. For me it’s been getting outside and walking the dog.”

“Yo necesito cambiar de ambiente. Ir afuera y salir a caminar con mi perro, me ayuda mucho” 

Colleen Reed

“Hanging out with the chickens in my backyard! Their clucks and scratching at microscopic things in the dirt is very comforting.”

“¡Me gusta salir con las gallinas que tengo en mi patio trasero! Sus cloqueos y verlas escarbar cosas microscópicas en la tierra me reconfortantes.”

Pascale Brady

“When I feel myself sinking, I drown myself in an activity I love with every ounce of my body and soul for a short time: I blast music as loud as I can take and dance like a dervish, I go in the woods and take in all the smells and sounds and sights with such intensity that I become one with nature, I go on a bike ride with the best music and pound on the pedals like a mad woman, or I figure out how I can contribute more to others and send more love into the universe.”

“Cuando siento que me estoy hundiendo, me dispongo a realizar una actividad que amo, utilizando cada gramo de mi cuerpo y mi alma, y durante un corto tiempo por ejemplo: toco algo de música y bailo libremente… Voy al bosque y me concentro en sentir todos los olores, sonidos y observo con tal intensidad, que me vuelvo una con la naturaleza…salgo en bicicleta con la mejor música y pedaleo como una loca…también reflexiono cómo puedo contribuir más a los demás y enviar más amor al universo…”

Kim Hicks 

“Get outside: walk, run, garden, fire pit, anything. Watch nature documentaries or Babies or Somebody Feed Phil. Remember helpful messages from my faith. Clear one area of the house, light a candle, drink tea.” 

“Salgo: a caminar, correr, jardinería, fogata, cualquier cosa. Mirar documentales sobre la naturaleza o Bebes. Recuerdo los mensajes útiles de mi fe. Despejo un área de la casa, enciendo una vela, bebo un té.”

Dave Drazen

“I turn off my screens and try to immerse myself in some activity: exercise, cooking or baking with the kids, or reading”

“Apago las pantallas y trato de sumergirme en alguna actividad: hacer ejercicio, cocinar u hornear con los niños o leer algo…”

Carol Hoffman

“I do a task where I know I will see the results of my efforts- mowing the lawn, raking the leaves (I guess at some point snow shoveling), vacuuming, etc.”

“Hago una tarea en la que sé que veré los resultados de mis esfuerzos como por ejemplo: cortar el césped, rastrillar las hojas (supongo que en algún momento quitar la nieve), pasar la aspiradora, etc.”

Corinne Yourman

“As a family we take a 24-hour break from all screens — no news, no social media, no movies, nothing — every Saturday to keep us calm, connected, focused, centered, recharged, and sane for the rest of the week.”

“Como familia, tomamos un descanso de 24 horas de todas las pantallas (sin noticias, redes sociales, películas, nada) todos los sábados para mantenernos tranquilos, conectados, concentrados, centrados, recargados y cuerdos durante el resto de la semana.”

Marlene Goldstein

“Reach out and stay connected!!! Making it a point to connect/reach out to at least one person a day.”

“¡Intento mantenerme conectada! Haciendo un punto para conectar / llegar a al menos una persona al día.”

Michele Dausman

“I remind my husband and family that I’m not mad at any of them, and that I just need 20-30 minutes to decompress after a work day – very helpful to all!”

“Le recuerdo a mi esposo y a mi familia que no estoy enojada con ninguno de ellos y que solo necesito de 20 a 30 minutos para descomprimirme después de un día de trabajo, ¡muy útil para todos!”

Karen Green

“I tell myself to be the thermostat and not the thermometer – influence the situation the best I can rather than simply react to it.”

“Me digo a mí misma que soy el termostato y no el termómetro: influir en la situación lo mejor que pueda en lugar de simplemente reaccionar ante ella.”

Seth Crothers

“I download an audiobook from the library (Libby!) and go for walks to listen to it (instead of the news).”

“Descargo un audiolibro de la biblioteca (¡Libby!) Y salgo a caminar para escucharlo (en lugar de las noticias).”

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access says:

Thanks-a-mundo for the article. Really thank you! Awesome. Roxanne Bevan Gorlin

watch says:

Thanks a lot, I always catch myself on a thought of what I could achieve if I used all the time that I spent just laying around and doing nothing. These are the simple tricks you`ve mentioned, but it can impact your whole life in the way you are not waiting it to. Cortney Saundra Ries

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