We Are One

Our heart and prayers are with those affected by Monday's events at our Washington Navy Yard. I think county executive, Rashern Baker, said it best when he tweeted, "Today's response and outpouring of support demonstrates that even though we are many different governments, we are one DMV." Those are my sentiments exactly. I am very impressed with the resources pulled together in a time of distress!

There is no better time than now to refocus some of our own energy on the preservation of well being. I have updated our website with information and our calendar of events reflect some additions and changes as well.

Please take a moment to look over our site, and make a commitment to join us to engage with our women's well~being community.

God bless you and your families, today and always!

Listening to the warning signs of stress

Your body’s stress warning signs tell you that that something isn’t right. Much like the glowing orange, “check engine” light on your car’s dashboard, if you neglect the alerts sent out by your body, you could have a major engine malfunction. Stress that is left unchecked or poorly managed is known to contribute to high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, diabetes and suicide.
So when things aren’t going your way, or you feel like you are losing control or are overwhelmed, pay attention to the warning signs listed below. They are just some of the ways that your body is telling you it needs maintenance and extra care.

• Headaches, muscle tension, neck or back pain
• Upset stomach
• Dry mouth
• Chest pains, rapid heartbeat
• Difficulty falling or staying asleep
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite or overeating “comfort foods”
• Increased frequency of colds
• Lack of concentration or focus
• Memory problems or forgetfulness
• Jitters
• Irritability
• Short temper
• Anxiety

Everyone reacts to stress differently, and each body sends out its different set of red flags. Some people may not even feel the physical or emotional warning signs until hours or days of stressful activities. But when you do notice a stiff back or that you are snapping at your friends, pay attention to the signs and listen to what your body is telling you. While the adrenaline rush after acing that presentation to the board is something to enjoy, the warning signs of stress are not anything to take lightly or ignore. By noticing how you respond to stress, you can manage it better and in healthy ways, which will help your body correct itself, reducing the high cost and care of chronic, long-term health problems.

Reproduced with permission from the American Psychological Association. For the full article, please visit http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/stress-signs.aspx.

Back to school means....

It's time to go back to school. For moms across our region, it means back to a routine. There is nothing that helps us keep our sanity more than schedules and routines. Don't allow the misconception of our well being and the need for structure to guilt you into being more relaxed about setting expectations at home. Here are some tips to help you keep up with your "me time:"

1. Their bed time can equal your "me time." Setting a firm bed time for children and teens help shared space for you to enjoy some peace before you turn in. Children sleep more when they learn something new. It is during the sleep cycle that new information is stored in the long term memory for easy recall later, for example at test time. Sleep is also when the brain develops and grown, making new connections. Sleep is indeed an important tool for our kids.
2. Daily schedules, leave time for fun. Schedules can help with homework time, study time, and extra curricular activities. If you are the mom taxi, use the time while kids are at practice to walk around the track, take in some sights at the local park, call a friend, or get a manicure. Little things can indeed make a big difference.
3. Simplify. In order to simplify some things, we have to be willing to surrender control over every single thing in our lives. It is OK for someone to do something some of the time. When I mentioned valet laundry service, my friend couldn't fathom the thought of someone else washing her clothes. My suggestion? Start small. Let's start with linen's once a week. Another thing we can do is grocery shopping on line, with low cost or free home delivery. I love taking advantage of this option because I save $10-40 a trip from not being able to pick up things I didn't need that were not on my shopping list. Review some ways you can simply your daily, weekly, or monthly routines and surrender back to your sanity with "me time."
4. Everybody do their share. It is more than acceptable that everyone in your household share in the household chores. Divvy up chores among your spouse/partner, kids, and assign how often or when the chores should be done. Or you can simply make the 30 minutes following dinner a household-common clean up time.
5. Get your vitamin D from the sun. While I was at the pool on Saturday I saw a woman washing her clothes. When she took a seat next to me to enjoy some ice cream I admitted I needed to wash too, but that I didn't waste my daylight hours on chores. I prefer to clean before or after the sun rise, so that I can enjoy being outdoors. I usually work Monday-Friday, so the bulk of my daylight hours are spent inside my office. On Saturday and Sunday, I try to get out and get moving!

The key is not to easy, but it is simple: You have to make time for yourself. Until you understand that your well being is a priority for the wellness of all those who depend on you, making yourself a priority can continue to be a challenge.

Participating in the Women's Well~Being Circle provides each woman with support and information on how to incorporate self care into her daily routine. Even with a once a month event, that is taking the first step to ensure some personal time for your wellness. Our events are fun, nurturing, and relaxing.

 

Learn more about Audre Lorde here.