Top 12 Stress-Relief Tips for Mother’s Day Madness
Mother’s Day is second only to Valentine’s Day in causing florists unending aggravation, consternation, aches and pains. (Oh, yeah—and profits, too!)
Nevertheless, the stress from preparing for and handling all of those Mother’s Day orders can physically affect you in a plethora of negative ways. Specifically, being overly frazzled makes you susceptible to colds, flu and lots of other chronic and life-threatening illnesses. (Plus, it makes you really disagreeble!)
But you don’t have to let this critical holiday overwhelm you. We searched for the experts’ best tips on reducing stress in the most natural ways possible. And while we found lots of great advice, not all of it was appropriate for overworked florists. So we culled down the suggestions to the top 12.
These are steps that you can take immediately. So don't lug one more bucket of blooms until you print off this list. Then, refer to it—often—as you finish up this week’s mad rush to Mother’s Day...
1) Take a DEEEEP Breath.
Shallow chest breathing causes your heart to beat faster and muscles to tense up. Combat this urge by putting your hand on your abdomen just below your belly button. Inhale slowly through your nose. Watch your hand move out as the breath makes your belly expand. Hold the breath for a few seconds. Exhale slowly. Repeat two or three more times.
2) Visualize Tranquility.
You might need to head into the backroom for this one, but it’s said to be very effective. Close your eyes. Take three long, slow breaths. Picture a relaxing scene (like an empty cooler). Focus on the details of what you hear, see and smell.
3) Massage Your Hand.
Massage the palm of one hand using the thumb of the other hand in a circular motion. (Even better if you can get someone else to massage your hand for you. Oh, honey!!!)
4) Drink in Some Calm.
When we recommend “relaxation in a bottle,” we’re not referring to your favorite cabernet. (Save that for after-hours.) Instead, look for bottled refreshments such as Nerve Tonic at your local health food store. Then, as always, drink in moderation. (You need some energy, after all!)
5) Smile!
Smiling can actually make you feel happy and relaxed—even when you feel least like doing it. So give your staff a grin and encourage some joke-telling to make it more natural.
6) Count to 10.
This tip might be more helpful on Monday when you get complaints. (There’s always one, isn’t there?) But in case you get a last-minute customer today or tomorrow who insists you must deliver to his mom in the next hour, try this tip: First, step away from the stressor (that’s the term experts use—I like to use PIA…) and collect yourself. Look away for a moment or, if you’re dealing with a phone-in request, put the caller on hold. Then, take a few deep breaths or stretch. And remind yourself: This, too, shall pass.
7) Sniff Something.
Several fragrances are known to be soothing, in particular oils of anise, basil, bay, chamomile, eucalyptus, lavender, peppermint, rose and thyme. To keep “healthy” smells handy, place a few pieces of rock salt in a small vial. Add several of drops of the essential oil you prefer. (You can get them from your health food store.) When you feel stressed, open the vial and take a deep whiff.
8) Take Cover.
Remember how comforting it was to pull the covers over your head as a kid? Recreate that feeling. Vigorously rub your hands together until they feel warm. Then, for five seconds, cup them over your closed eyes. Simultaneously, breathe deeply. Ahhhh…
9) Shake, Shake, Shake.
Loosen the muscles in your neck and upper back with this exercise: Stand or sit. As you breathe deeply, stretch your arms out from your sides. Shake your hands vigorously for about 10 seconds.
10) Munch, Munch, Munch.
Release some serotonin, a brain chemical that makes you feel good, by eating some carbohydrates such as crackers, pretzels or popcorn.
11) Brew Some Tea-Quility.
Chamomile tea is known to help calm a person, but other teas also do the trick, such as catnip (Really!), passionflower, skullcap or kava kava. To get the herbs’ full benefits, use one teaspoon of loose tea or one tea bag per cup of boiling water. Steep for 10 minutes.
12) Walk It Off
Step outside or simply pace back and forth. Just getting moving will give you a mental boost.
What tips have you found to be effective in warding off the stress of the Mother’s Day rush? Share them here or send a note to [email protected].
Thanks for Reading This Article!
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At the end of 30 days, your membership will automatically convert to our Basic level unless you choose to remain a Pro member. For the price of two fancy coffee drinks a month, it’s really hard to say no!
We look forward to seeing you in the forums!
Mother’s Day is second only to Valentine’s Day in causing florists unending aggravation, consternation, aches and pains. (Oh, yeah—and profits, too!)
Nevertheless, the stress from preparing for and handling all of those Mother’s Day orders can physically affect you in a plethora of negative ways. Specifically, being overly frazzled makes you susceptible to colds, flu and lots of other chronic and life-threatening illnesses. (Plus, it makes you really disagreeble!)
But you don’t have to let this critical holiday overwhelm you. We searched for the experts’ best tips on reducing stress in the most natural ways possible. And while we found lots of great advice, not all of it was appropriate for overworked florists. So we culled down the suggestions to the top 12.
These are steps that you can take immediately. So don't lug one more bucket of blooms until you print off this list. Then, refer to it—often—as you finish up this week’s mad rush to Mother’s Day...
1) Take a DEEEEP Breath.
Shallow chest breathing causes your heart to beat faster and muscles to tense up. Combat this urge by putting your hand on your abdomen just below your belly button. Inhale slowly through your nose. Watch your hand move out as the breath makes your belly expand. Hold the breath for a few seconds. Exhale slowly. Repeat two or three more times.
2) Visualize Tranquility.
You might need to head into the backroom for this one, but it’s said to be very effective. Close your eyes. Take three long, slow breaths. Picture a relaxing scene (like an empty cooler). Focus on the details of what you hear, see and smell.
3) Massage Your Hand.
Massage the palm of one hand using the thumb of the other hand in a circular motion. (Even better if you can get someone else to massage your hand for you. Oh, honey!!!)
4) Drink in Some Calm.
When we recommend “relaxation in a bottle,” we’re not referring to your favorite cabernet. (Save that for after-hours.) Instead, look for bottled refreshments such as Nerve Tonic at your local health food store. Then, as always, drink in moderation. (You need some energy, after all!)
5) Smile!
Smiling can actually make you feel happy and relaxed—even when you feel least like doing it. So give your staff a grin and encourage some joke-telling to make it more natural.
6) Count to 10.
This tip might be more helpful on Monday when you get complaints. (There’s always one, isn’t there?) But in case you get a last-minute customer today or tomorrow who insists you must deliver to his mom in the next hour, try this tip: First, step away from the stressor (that’s the term experts use—I like to use PIA…) and collect yourself. Look away for a moment or, if you’re dealing with a phone-in request, put the caller on hold. Then, take a few deep breaths or stretch. And remind yourself: This, too, shall pass.
7) Sniff Something.
Several fragrances are known to be soothing, in particular oils of anise, basil, bay, chamomile, eucalyptus, lavender, peppermint, rose and thyme. To keep “healthy” smells handy, place a few pieces of rock salt in a small vial. Add several of drops of the essential oil you prefer. (You can get them from your health food store.) When you feel stressed, open the vial and take a deep whiff.
8) Take Cover.
Remember how comforting it was to pull the covers over your head as a kid? Recreate that feeling. Vigorously rub your hands together until they feel warm. Then, for five seconds, cup them over your closed eyes. Simultaneously, breathe deeply. Ahhhh…
9) Shake, Shake, Shake.
Loosen the muscles in your neck and upper back with this exercise: Stand or sit. As you breathe deeply, stretch your arms out from your sides. Shake your hands vigorously for about 10 seconds.
10) Munch, Munch, Munch.
Release some serotonin, a brain chemical that makes you feel good, by eating some carbohydrates such as crackers, pretzels or popcorn.
11) Brew Some Tea-Quility.
Chamomile tea is known to help calm a person, but other teas also do the trick, such as catnip (Really!), passionflower, skullcap or kava kava. To get the herbs’ full benefits, use one teaspoon of loose tea or one tea bag per cup of boiling water. Steep for 10 minutes.
12) Walk It Off
Step outside or simply pace back and forth. Just getting moving will give you a mental boost.
What tips have you found to be effective in warding off the stress of the Mother’s Day rush? Share them here or send a note to [email protected].
Thanks for Reading This Article!
We hope you’ve enjoyed it. Hey! Since you’re already online with us, take our quick, 3-minute intro video tour here to find out about all the other great resources we offer.
And feel free to dive into more great articles in our "Blooming Banter" section.
Then, sign up for a FREE membership! You'll automatically get a 30-day trial as Pro-level member. No credit card required.
Pro-level members get you access to all areas of the site, including all the forums, the photo gallery, blogs, videos, webinars and downloadable resources.
At the end of 30 days, your membership will automatically convert to our Basic level unless you choose to remain a Pro member. For the price of two fancy coffee drinks a month, it’s really hard to say no!
We look forward to seeing you in the forums!
