How to Eliminate Stress While Working Your 9-5
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Hey Mama,
If you’re working a day job 9-5 and then your mom job 5-9 + weekends, you quite literally never clock out, and in today’s world, it’s almost guaranteed that work=stress. In fact, between the rigid hours & demands of the work day, society’s glamorization of overworking & “hustle” culture, and all the other stressors that come with being a mom, it’s very possible you’ve been running on stress hormones if you’re a 9-5 working mama. If you’re not familiar with what this means, be sure to check out my post Three Things 9-5 Working Mamas Need to Know, where you’ll learn why the 9-5 can be so detrimental for moms and signs you may be running on stress hormones.
Whether your body is in desperate need of eliminating stress for health purposes, you’re working a toxic job or for a toxic employer, or you’re looking for help managing the stress from your 9-5 until you’re able to quit and start your own business, you’re in the right place.
Here’s a list of ways you can reduce, eliminate, and manage stress while working your 9-5:
1. Take time to realize what parts of your job (& life) are causing you stress. List them out, start looking at which can be eliminated entirely, and which can’t, but maybe you can find alternatives for.
An example of this may be a stressful relationship with a family member: if this isn’t someone you’re willing to end your relationship with completely, think about how you can engage with the relationship in a way that puts less stress on you: can you try setting boundaries with this person, like limiting the time you spend with them or the topics you’re willing to discuss with them?
Here's another example: Is your job completely toxic? Can you find another job? Can you take the first step and update your resume? Can you focus on the way you react to situations in the workplace? Can you quit the job altogether and start your own business? Be sure to grab my FREE Successful Startup Mini Guide that teaches moms like you how to start work from home blogging businesses that make you money while you sleep.
2. Cook as many of your meals at home as possible (& say no to group lunches.) Prioritizing nutrient dense, homemade meals & eating enough are crucial parts of managing & eliminating stress. Say no to group lunches and spend your lunch break catching up on sleep (car naps for the win!), running errands so you don’t have to stop after work, or working through business ideas & your future goals. Investing in glass Tupperware containers is also a super simple way to reduce plastic exposure (toxins are stressors on the body!) I use these.
3. Limit blue light exposure. In today’s world, most people don’t have too many options for avoiding screens, especially if your job requires long days on a computer. Blue light blocking glasses from Amazon have been a huge game changer in my household. We felt noticeably different after using them for just one day, experiencing less eye strain, less headache, and didn’t feel as drained after staring at a screen for several hours. Blue light causes stress to the body and should be eliminated wherever possible.
4. Create a less stressful home for you and your family. There are tons of endocrine disruptors in our foods, water, cleaning products, cookware, and beauty products that get absorbed into our bodies and impact stress levels. Start researching and replacing with alternatives that are less toxic and harmful. Here are a few of my favorite low-or-no-tox products that I currently (or soon plan to) use. Tip: Natural and low-tox products can be pricey. Start replacing things one by one as you run out of what you’re using now. You don’t need to do it all at once. Every switch, no matter how small, makes a difference for your health and your body’s ability to manage stress.
Filters: Air | Sink | Shower
Cleaning Products: Branch Basics
Skincare: Forever Healthy llc | By Achilleis
Makeup: Araza Beauty | Crunchi
Shampoo/Conditioner: Under Luna
Clothing: Pact
Laundry: TrulyFree
5. Look into nervous system regulation. My entire life changed once I learned about my nervous system & how to regulate it. When we talk about stress, the body’s stress response, & fight or flight… nervous system work is at the very center! My absolute favorite course on this topic is called Nervous System 101 by Lindsey Lockett and it is absolutely life-changing. You can find it here, or find more of her work on Instagram, @Iamlindseylockett to get started eliminating stress in your life through understanding & regulating your nervous system.
6. Prioritize nutrient dense whole foods to nourish your body and cells. Prioritize nutrient-dense foods that are easily digested (think foods that our ancestors would have consumed, before all the manmade “healthy alternatives” were created!) Some of my favorites are quality dairy, grass-fed animal proteins and fats, root veggies, bone broth and ripe seasonal fruits. You can learn more about nourishing your body through my favorite book on this: How to heal your metabolism, or, you can buy a cookbook filled with delicious nutrient dense meals written by one of the most knowledgable people in the wellness sphere.
7. Work from home as much as humanly possible. One of the BEST ways to eliminate stress from your 9-5 is working from home. The benefits of this are truly endless. Even working from home 1-2 times a week can help to eliminate travel, physical strain on the body, childcare needs, and gas expenses and therefore helps to minimize stress. If your job doesn’t currently offer this and can be done from home, ask for it! Things like deciding to work outside in the sun, sleeping in a bit longer, and wearing looser-fitting and less restrictive clothing can help keep stress levels lower as well.
8. Speaking of sleep, get to sleep earlier. The dark itself puts stress on the body. Try getting to sleep 30 minutes earlier than usual & aiming for sunlight in your eyes first thing in morning.
9. Read books about understanding your body’s needs and living in alignment with your physiology. Two must read books as a GREAT place to start: In the FLO & WomanCode both written by Alissa Vitti.
10. Do things you enjoy: find creative outlets. Whether you prefer to garden, bake, prepare warm meals for your family, do yoga, or write … do it! Make time for creativity & checking in with yourself about what season you’re in and your body’s unique cravings and needs..
11. And last but not least, my personal favorite: Quit that job you hate & start your own business! The ultimate way to eliminate unnecessary stress your 9-5 brings is to leave it altogether. Whether you want to start your own business to become a stay at home mom, to escape from a toxic boss or job, or to add an additional stream of income to your household, I have something for you. My Successful Startup Mini Guide walks you through starting your own blogging business in 4 simple steps (plus helps you understand why SO many moms have already decided to make the switch!)
Well, that’s all for now. I hope this helped you start thinking about some ways you can manage stress and get your body back into a state of thriving instead of just surviving while working your 9-5. As always, take good care of yourself & remember mama, you’re already doing the hardest job in the world, you can do anything.
I help moms make their stay at home motherhood dreams a reality by starting work from home blogging businesses that make them money while they sleep.
Want to ditch the 9-5 but need to be able to contribute to your family financially?
Love your job and just want to create an additional stream of income for your family?
You’ve made it to the right place.
