Give your mum a stress-free Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day is on Sunday 14th March 2010! What are you planning to do to show the ‘mother’ in your life that you appreciate them? We suggest you give your mother some time out to relax so take her some breakfast in bed, do the housework and take her out for a lovely meal, show her that you appreciate her so much and that today is her day to relax. And don’t forget to give her a hug so she can feel the appreciation and smile :)

We have many gift ideas for you that will be appreciated by all mothers, please visit Feel Karma to view our gift range >>

Calling all stressed Mothers

You shouldn’t just feel stress-free on Mother’s Day; you should feel stress-free all the time. That’s why we have created a ten step guide to ensure all you mothers are better able to cope with stress.

1) Accept all offers of help
If you’ve just had a baby, say YES to all offers of help! Time is short and your energy will flag. Helping hands will save you.

2) Get networking
There are many great ways to meet other mums. Join the NCT and go to their events. Ask the council for its list of local play groups. Join a child-related class such as baby massage or a children’s gym. Even stop and talk to other mothers in the street or park.

3) Talk to others honestly
Think you have challenges as a mother? You’d be surprised how many others feel the same – even those with seemingly perfect lives and perfect kids. Don’t compare yourself. But do share how you feel with a trusted circle of other mothers. They will soon remind you what you have to be grateful for.

4) Rely on your instincts
There is no right way to bring up kids. Just lots of different ways. It’s whatever works for you.

5) Draw up a budget
The most common worry for mothers is money. Do a household budget. Once you understand where your money goes you can start to make savings.

6) Avoid nicotine, alcohol and caffeine
These are all stimulants so will leave you more hyped up rather than calmer. If you’re stressed steer well clear. Instead do your body a favour and drink water to keep you well hydrated.

7) Work off stress with physical activity
Pressure or anger releases adrenaline in the body. Exercise helps to reduce it, and produces ‘good mood’ substances in the brain. So walk the kids to their childminder or nursery. The exercise will do you good and teach your kids to be active.

8) Relax with a daily stress reduction technique
Try self-hypnosis. The Stress Management Society recommends courses in self-hypnosis and has CDs that will teach you the secrets of this technique. Visit www.feelkarma.com for details. Or think up a self-affirming mantra to repeat to yourself (e.g. ‘I deserve calm in my life’, or ‘I have a choice in every situation’).

9) Get enough sleep
Sleep is essential for the body to function properly. Unfortunately it’s often in short supply for mums. If you have a young baby, snatch cat naps where you can. If your children are older establish some ground rules about waking up the rest of the house, e.g. that if they wake early they shouldn’t rouse Mummy, but stay in their rooms and read a book until at least 7am.

10) Say ‘no’ without guilt
Where a ‘no’ is the appropriate response to your child or to another adult, say it without guilt. It’s your life, your time and your money – so it’s your decision as to how to spend it. Adults will appreciate your honesty. Kids will learn some boundaries. And you keep control of your life.

Volunteers needed from the West Midlands

Are you from the West Midlands? Have you suffered from considerable stress? If you answered yes to both of these questions, would you like to take part in radio show interview for the BBC West Midlands?

We are looking for someone who has had stress severely affect their life, but they have managed to come through the other side and can now deal with things better.  We are looking for an inspirational story that might give hope to someone who is struggling to cope with things at the moment.

If you would like to participate and share your story on the radio, please email info@stress.org.uk quoting BBC WM radio in the subject header, and in the email explain a bit about the stress you suffered in the past and how you managed to overcome it. Please remember to include your name and telephone number.

Follow us on Social Networking Sites

Social media is growing and emerging so rapidly that we have decided to take our services to this level to ensure all of our members feel stress free all the time.

Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube by clicking on the headings below and join our pages so you can feel de-stressed all the time by following the advice we post:

> Twitter
> Facebook (Stress Management Society)
> Facebook (FeelKarma)
> Youtube

Acupressure Mat – Product of the month

Our product of the month is the Pax Vita Acupressure Mat, which gives an effective acupressure treatment through skin stimulation.

Pax Vita is a cotton mat with tiny points attached to it. You lie, sit or stand on it, and the points stimulate the skin, giving an incredibly effective acupressure treatment. Already popular in Scandinavia for daily use to relieve, stress, pain, tension and insomnia, this mat is for everyone who wants to feel their best.

The Pax Vita mat works by increasing the body's own natural endorphin levels (natural pain relievers) and stimulating the production of oxytocin (a relaxing hormone). The acupressure offered by Pax Vita present a great alternative to other considered therapies, expensive equipment and drug therapies.

Stress, backache, menstrual problems and insomnia are just some of the conditions reported to improve with Pax Vita.

This simple mat, based on the Ancient Indian "bed of nails" can change your life in just 15 minutes a day - all by just lying down.

Click here to purchase the Acupressure mat >

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EVENTS DIARY – New Dates!

SenSpa and Stress Management Society Excelling under Pressure

Wednesday 28th April – from 9.30am (all day event)

For more information or to book, please visit http://www.feelkarma.com/products/1944. Alternatively, email info@stress.org.uk quoting ‘Excelling under Pressure’ or call 0844 357 8629

Survive the stress of caring for kids!

Driven crazy by your kids (or by someone else’s, come to that)? Whether you’re a parent or a childcare professional, you’ll know the stress of looking after little ones. You’re tense, tired and seldom have time to relax. Come and learn how to cope with The Stress Management Society. Aimed at mothers, fathers, guardians, child carers and child minders.
£29 per person or book with a friend for £50 and receive a free stress squeezer each.
Please call 0844 357 8639 or visit http://www.feelkarma.com/products/1736 to book.

Feel Karma Self Hypnosis Workshop

Self hypnosis is a practical tool to get more out of life, from weight loss to deep relaxation. Learn how on this workshop at £139 per person.
For more information or to book, please click here >

Evening workshops

Feel Karma Stress Gym Workshop

New Date Coming Soon!
The 'Feel Karma' stress management gym teaches some very natural ways to deal with unnatural levels of stress. For example: the breathing technique that makes it impossible to be unhappy, the 10-minute relaxation method that equals three hours’ sleep and why you should always keep a spare sock in your desk drawer in case of stress 'emergencies'! Now at a reduced rate of £39 each or book with a friend and get it for £30 each. Please call: 0844 357 8639 or visit http://www.feelkarma.com/products/223 for more information or to book.

Walk Innovation Walkshop

New Date Coming Soon!
If you knew that you only had one month left to live, how would your priorities change?
Come to our Walk Innovation Walkshop and we will help you to:

• Focus on what is working in your life – rather than what isn't
• Walk your talk – rather than sitting down and pondering things
• Meet inspiring, positive and happy people – who will pass on their gifts to you

Our Walkshop is literally a walking workshop. The process of walking energises your learning experience. Our Walkshop is an experience of living in the moment.
Ticket: £15 per person. However, we do have a special 3-for-2 offer running. For more information or to book please visit: http://www.feelkarma.com/products/1877 or call 0844 357 8629.