Working Mommy Tip: Ask for Help to Reduce Stress

I am often asked by many of you about how I manage to do it all? Yes, I do multitask and try to cut down on wastage of time. But as moms, we tend to think we can (and have to) do it all. When we take on too much the result is overwhelm and stress. One of the simplest ways to get your situation under control is to ask for help.

The truth is a lot of people never even think to ask for help, particularly women. We are conditioned by society to handle things ourselves. Requesting help can often be a daunting task because we are afraid of appearing vulnerable or needy. And many women make the mistake of believing that they don’t need support because:

1) They are the only ones who can do the job right; and,

2) It will be faster if they do the task themselves rather than taking the time to explain it to someone else.

They key to striking a successful balance between your personal and work life is to get help.

Here are five easy steps you can take to get support and reduce your stress.

1. It is Okay to Ask for Help!

Acknowledge…admit to yourself… that support will help ease your load and make things happen faster. Just becoming aware that you could use some assistance and getting comfortable asking for it, can be the toughest part. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness, but rather a demonstration of inner strength and confidence.

2. Be Clear About the Kind of Help You Need

Before you ask for assistance get clear on why and what you are requesting. It is important to know exactly what you want someone to do when you approach them. Make a list of all your current needs emotional, financial and household and the type of support you require. Do not give people any wrong ideas about the type of support you need from them.

3. Get Help from Family and Friends

Explain your situation to those closest to you and ask for their support. Your family and friends want to see you happy and successful. And when you reach out to them, you will find that they respond in a loving and caring manner. It is our natural inclination as human beings to want to help each other. Have the courage to stretch outside your comfort zone and ask for help.

4. Hire Help and Delegate Tasks

Sort out your priorities and hire help in the most needed areas. Ask yourself if it is really a good idea to certain things yourself or will it be better if you delegate it. You can hire help to take care of household chores and cooking etc. Or hire a babysitter to take care of your children. Take a cab when you don’t have it in you to drive!

Maybe you love gardening but do not have enough time for it. Seeing your garden in neglect is only making you miserable. Go ahead and hire a gardener. Even if you love to do something, it does not mean you have to do everything yourself. Hiring a cook or a gardener only shows how much you yearn for these things to be perfect!

5. Take Care of Yourself

Moms often feel that if they are asking for help, they need to look busy every minute so they can justify asking for help. This is not correct. It is perfectly okay to ask for help with your chores and utilize that time to read a book or get a pedicure. Don’t feel that you cant ask others to step in and help you create some space for you. You are worth it!

6. Encourage your children to take some responsiblity.

As your children get older, encouraging them to take some responsibilty and help around the house can allow them to develop useful lifeskills and take some of the work off your own shoulders. For example, if they spent months on end begging you for a four-legged friend, you should encourage them to reach for the dog shower head and take over duties such as grooming after long, muddy walks!