It takes time to create a habit and first you need to create a routine. These above steps help you create a new routine to less stress by identifying what you would like to change and the new behavior. Set your intention and reinforce it through a journal or other ways that work for your lifestyle.
Prepare for setbacks along the way. Use the family conversation to brainstorm potential challenges to the new routine and allow everyone to provide solutions. Having the teenager do the laundry seems like a good idea but what happens when they have too much homework or prioritizes socializing with friends over house work? Discuss as a family and have a backup plan.
Start with something small that feels like an encouragement. For examples, setting a schedule could be immensely helpful for everyone to understand the pace and expectations of a new routine. Breaking down a new routine into smaller steps can help both kids and adults make sure the new routine sticks.
Try combining a chore with a reward. For the teen helping with the laundry, perhaps she can use her smartphone or chat with a friend while she is folding clothes. Relieving stress for one family member, doesn’t have to mean burdening another with the same responsibility. As a family, consider how helping one person reduce stress can not only reduce the stress overall but also create positive experiences for another.
Sometimes, reducing the pressure in your family life is too much to take on by yourself. Seeking out professional help is always an option. The therapists at LifeStance Health can help your family go through these steps and develop positive coping mechanisms for the stress you cannot eliminate. Contact us today to get started on this path.