Motherhood is a privilege and a blessing. But most mothers will agree that motherhood can also be stressful. As a mom, we are expected to juggle different roles on a daily basis – personal chef, CEO of the household, driver, employee, and the list goes one. All these duties and responsibilities can leave moms feeling stressed out and exhausted.

Use these tips to ease parenting stress.

Rise early

Most people start their day with such a rushed and hectic routine. Mornings can be pretty hectic, especially for working moms. In the rush of getting the kids to school, they often end up doing their makeup in the car. All this rushing can put your body in a state of alarm. This is not a good way to start your day.

Try to get up 15 to 30 minutes earlier than usual. This will give you more time, so you don’t end up rushing out of the door every single morning. Use this time to do something relaxing like reading, meditating, exercising or just lying in bed. You’ll be amazed by the reduction in your stress just by waking up early and starting your day on a positive note.

Take a break

Most moms are too busy that they don’t even have time to do things they truly enjoy. Some feel guilty to take a break because they feel like they’re being selfish. It isn’t selfish to take make time for yourself. You need at least 20 minutes a day to de-stress. Use that time to relax, read a book, take a nap or enjoy a long, hot shower. You need to take care of yourself so you can become a better mom.

Laugh a little

A good, hearty laugh can have powerful stress-relieving effects. It can effectively reduce your stress levels and relieves physical tension. Even smiling can help you feel better and less stressed.

We know how hard motherhood can be, but you need to lighten up. Watch a comedy movie, play with your kids or befriend a funny person. Set the intent to laugh more heartily as often as you can.