Finding someone to talk to can be your uncomplicated solution if you feel overwhelmed or like your life has shut down. There are many people in your life that you can lean on. But did you know that talking to your mom can relieve your stress?
Though learning this information is confusing and unexpected, studies have shown how it can help you relieve stress. So understand that hearing and talking to your mom can be your way to de-stress.
Uncovering the causes of stress
Despite everyone suffering stress, what causes it varies from person to person.
For example, heavy traffic might make an individual upset and stressed out, while another could crank up their music and think of it as a minor inconvenience. While one person may carry the weight of an argument with a friend all day, another may move on with little difficulty. What’s stressing you out might be a factor you already know much about.
There are numerous potential stressors. One major incident or circumstance in your life may be the source of your stress. Or perhaps it is the sum of several constituent parts. This could make it more challenging to pinpoint the basis of your anxiety and describe how it feels to others. Possible sources of stress include:
- Thinking you’re under a lot of pressure
- Experiencing significant shifts in your life
- Feeling anxious about something
- Having little or no influence over what comes out of an event
- Feeling like drowning because of too much responsibility
- Feeling like there’s never enough going on in your life
- Personal relationships
- Encountering discrimination, dislike, or abuse
- Experiencing a time of uncertainty
- Financial problems
The impact of stress on well-being
Stress affects the mind and can show up as the following:
- Anger or irritability
- A feeling of being out of control
- Sleepiness, tiredness, or exhaustion
- Sadness or tears
- Trouble focusing or remembering
In addition, stress, if left unchecked, can eventually lead to mental health issues, including burnout, despair, and anxiety. When stressed out, it can take a toll on more than just your head.
Also, it has been linked to various health issues, including hypertension, cardiovascular illness, digestive problems, head and neck pain, and more. It also has the potential to bring on undesirable habits and addictions. Managing stress effectively enhances both physical and mental well-being.
How talking to mom reduces stress
Calling your mom when you’re stressed is a way to relax. Studies show that hearing your mother’s voice calms as much as a hug. In addition, researchers in the United States studied the hormone oxytocin, which has been linked to sexual behavior, attraction, trust, and self-assurance.
The “cuddle chemical” helps mothers and infants bond by being released into the bloodstream during labor, stimulating the body to produce breast milk. A mother’s capacity to do this reduces stress in her children. University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers had a group of young girls (ages 7 to 12) give a talk and complete a series of math tasks in front of an unbiased panel.
This raised the kids’ cortisol (stress hormone) and heart rates. After experiencing stress, about one-third of the girls were comforted by their mothers in person, while another third was instructed to call their mothers. At the same time, the remaining third was given a movie to watch.
According to the reports in Proceedings of the Royal Society B, children and adults who interacted with their moms had rapidly increased oxytocin levels. Moreover, scientists were surprised to find that within an hour, the girls who called their moms were equally at ease as the ones who were soothed in person.
As stated by researcher Leslie Seltzer, it was formerly believed that physical touch was typically necessary for releasing oxytocin in social bonding. But these findings demonstrate that hearing your mother’s voice can have a similar effect to physical contact with her.
Ways to reconnect with mom
Use any of these two creative ways to unwind with your mom to reduce stress.
Relive childhood family games
Each household has its go-to pastime or games it plays. Suppose you liked a game as a kid, like Dumb Charades, Ludo, Antakshari, Snakes and Ladders, or any games you had growing up. You’ll probably love these even more now that you’re an adult. Plus, it’s nostalgic if you play them with your mom and the rest of the family.
Go on a date
Going on a date with your mom is a great way to strengthen your relationship. It’s not as complicated as you think to take an hour of your day. Spend the day at the spa with your mom and show her how much you appreciate her. Even if you only book one service, most resorts will let you use the entire facility for the day.
Get your nails done, steam in the sauna, and pamper yourself with a facial and massage. Then, enjoy a relaxing meal in a lovely setting as a break from your routine. Also, it’s a plus as you don’t have to prepare anything or clean up afterward and unwind by the pool.
Staying stress-free
As much as moms are the ones to go to for advice, just hearing their voices may be reassuring in a time of need. Mothers are the most empathic and insightful people on this earth. There are many methods available for relieving stress. But hearing mom’s voice is guaranteed to calm even the most anxious nerves. Of course, it would always be best to keep in touch with your mom, whether you are stressed or not.
