Top time sanity savers

Stressed out? Slow down...and blow a raspberry

We all have days when stress takes its toll.

Perhaps you've been up and down with your baby all night, or your four-year-old has already asked you 95 questions and it's only 7.30am...the house really does look as if a bomb has gone off inside, and you're rushing 'round like crazy (as usual) to hang out the washing while kid wrangling so you can get to school and childcare...oh dear..late for work again...you're just at that tipping point, but don't worry, walking out the door now. Nope. The baby's just done another poo.
And then you just lose it.

OK so maybe you can't control all the chaos around you, but there are a few things you can do to cut down on stress and use what time you do have more efficiently. Here's some top time sanity savers for Mums:

• The best way to save time, is to plan your time. Write a list of your low priorities (what you do now that you could stop doing) and high priorities (what you really have to do each day). How can you make time to be physically active? (can you get out early in the morning before the kids wake up? Put your gear out the night before so it's ready when you get up). What's really important to you, and what can you cross off your list to make way for the things that you enjoy?
  
• To make time to eat healthy meals: use a kitchen whiteboard to create a weekly dinner menu. Write up the dinners planned and shop accordingly. It saves half the battle at 'arsenic' hour in the evening when everyone's tired. And you save time and money popping in and out to the supermarket – kids in tow - buying things that you don't really need!
  
• Shop in bulk, make up and freeze meals in advance. Then all you have to do is defrost overnight in the fridge and re-heat at dinner time.
  
• Organise your surroundings - it will make you feel lighter, more energised and in control. If you have time before your baby is born, have a good spring clean and sort out the house from top to bottom.
  
• Trade childcare with a friend in the same situation. This gets easier as your children get older. Babysitting swaps are also good so you and your partner can get out on a date (a lunch date if dinner is out of the question!)

• One of the biggest sanity savers is simply to recognise that things will happen that are out of your control (like when the baby vomits on you while heading out the door to work). It may hard to see the funny side of this at the time, but sometimes the best thing you can do is laugh (even if it sounds hysterical). And remember, your children are little for such a short time. So slow down, take your time, give them a hug and blow a big raspberry. It will take the stress out of the situation, make you feel better and remind yourself what's really important.
  
  
  Have you got any tried and true sanity savers that you'd like to share? We'd love to hear them!