This post is from contributor, Stacey Lane. Originally published May 2014.
The pressure of not having enough money to pay bills can wreak havoc on your health and emotional well-being. Really, if you cannot pay the electric bill, how can you have funds for a dinner out or a relaxing family night?
The stress of trying to figure whom to pay and when to pay them can take a lot of emotional energy. Month after month it can really wear on a person. This morning I am faced with calling the hospital again to arrange a payment plan. I wish I could say these are pleasant phone calls to make.
The Internet contains numerous articles on reducing stress. Again, more energy to sort through which articles pertain to a homeschooling family. When you are already on empty, it does not take long for your eyes to glass over.
I struggle with taking the time to relax and focus on reducing stress, especially when the funds are tight. Maybe you do too?
I am guilty of wanting to take my kids to the movie theater to see the latest movie or wanting to go to the newest family entertainment park when we do not have the money.
After reading through different articles on the subject, I compiled a “Top 10 List of Free Family Stress Reducers.” The list may not contain awesome new ideas, but hopefully gets you focused on reducing stress instead of on the money problems.
Free Family Stress Reducers:
- Go for a walk. What a great time for fresh air and exercise. Take along a nature study and count it as school time.
- Turn up the music. Sing and dance away the stress.
- Invite friends over. Sharing in your struggles can help encourage you in the battle.
- Free local events. I try to keep an eye out for free local events. Every summer our community invites Reptile Man to visit. My kids cannot wait to pet his 8-foot snake.
- Funny videos on YouTube. Tim Hawkins, cute kittens, or exploding Mentos in Diet Coke are always good for a chuckle.
- Knock-knock joke night at dinner. Humor is great medicine. Have the kids come to dinner with 3 or 4 jokes to share.
- Double dessert night. Nothing like the chance to have two desserts to create fun and excitement at my house.
- Staycations. These have become popular over the past few years. My kids like it when we house sit for friends; just sleeping camped out in a different living room is fun.
- Mental vacations or pretend travels. My kids have amazing imaginations. They love to pretend to travel places. They will discuss in great detail what needs to be packed for each person.
- Fire pit. My kids love to cook dinner over a fire and then follow up with s’mores. Then we sit around the fire and share jokes and stories.
- Ask your kids. Since my kids remember things better than I do, often they will remind me of a great family activity that they would like to do again. For example, on July 4th they like to have water ballon fights to reenact different battles of the Revolutionary War.
Bottom Line: Do something out of the normal routine and make it a priority.
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