11 things you shouldn’t stress about in 2016

Remember your house is a home. And unfortunately a home comes with all the baggage of having people living in it. While you might be able to remember a time when you could display glossy magazines on the coffee table, all your cushions were perfectly plumped and, and you could walk around barefoot without the risk of being carried away by a toy car, unfortunately those days are gone, but surely waving goodbye to them is worth the family you’ve gained?

Your house will never look like a show home, but there are some ways in which you can minimise the stress of a messy house. Set off one room or area that is off limits to kids. It might be your bedroom, where you can escape the mess and relax (and where coasters and toy-free carpets are in abundance).

Feeling unhappy with how you look is horrible. But in all your self-loathing, don’t neglect the things you do like about yourself. When you’re feeling low, write down the things you do like about yourself, and ask your partner and kids what they like about you too. They might surprise you!

You might not always have time to cover up those dark circles before the school run but what about wearing the jeans you know you look good in, or a slick of lip gloss to brighten up your face? There are far more important things to worry about than what other people think of you.

Oh hello old foe. Every January the dreaded diet comes out to play, makes us feel miserable when we’re on it, then guilty when we’re off it.

Focus on being healthy and happy, rather than dieting and striving to hit an exact mark on the scales. Wholesome, homemade meals, plenty of fruit and veg and some exercise when you can sounds much more enjoyable.

And anyway, us mums work so hard all year round that if we want to eat the occasional packet of crisps, a hearty slice of Victoria sponge and kick back with a glass of wine (or two), we’re going to. So there.

We’ve revealed the secrets to a long, healthy life, here.

You’re sitting there thinking it’s been ages since you tried a new recipe, did your fitness DVD, read that book you had your eye on or got down to some garden, and we have to say, we’re hardly surprised!

Getting through each and every day can be seen as an achievement in itself. With getting food on the table, running errands, entertaining the kids, keeping hubby happy, finding time to do things for yourself can be pretty tricky.

Don’t feel as though you’ve not accomplished anything for a while, you’ve been growing a family and that is accomplishment enough in itself. There’ll be plenty of time for all of that when your kids are a little older.

Wouldn’t life be a little more enjoyable without time constraints? OK, so we realise that’s never going to happen, but stressing, panicking and weaving through traffic like a maniac to get somewhere on time isn’t actually going to get you there any faster.

Chances are, you’re not the only person running late, and chances are you won’t be the last either. So relax a little. Try and pin point what exactly it is that always makes you late. Is it snoozing your alarm that last time, or could you get more organised the evening before to leave less to do in the mornings?

The good thing is, if you’re anxious about how much time you spend with your man it shows that you care. Sometimes, though, it’s just not possible to spend as much time with your other half as you’d like to.

Talk to him, tell him you’re worried you don’t spend enough time together and let him know that you care. He’ll have nothing but reassuring words for you and maybe some suggestions of where you could squeeze in some more time together.

You might not be able to find extra time, but you could make the time you do have more special. Cuddle lots, hold hands, and enjoy each other’s company.

Read our little tips for bringing back the intimacy.

Sleep. It really is so important. And while you’re stressing over not getting enough of the stuff, in turn being tired makes you more stressed.

Lay off yourself a little. Relax and read before bed rather than staying up late watching the TV, which acts as a brain stimulant. And whatever you do don’t lie in bed watching the clock and stressing about not being able to fall asleep, this will only make you feel more and more awake.

Try some of our sleep advice instead, like these 10 things you didn’t know were stopping you sleeping and these Things to try in the middle of the night.

Come on ladies, it wasn’t that long ago that we all went everywhere, every day, without a mobile phone and we all managed completely OK without them.

The panic that sets in when you see that battery icon hit 10% and downwards, or even worse, you leave it at home… is somewhat irrational.

What is actually going to happen while you are phoneless for a few hours?

It’s a good idea to keep a note of a few important numbers in your handbag, should your phone cut off access to your life which is stored away inside it.

We all need friends, but at times trying to keep them happy, spend enough time with them, or say the right things to them can be a real guessing game.

Remember that while you might not be able to choose your family, you can choose your friends. And any friend who spends more time stressing you out than making you happy isn’t worth your time.

Something that we’ve learnt over the years is that a true friend is one who you can pick up with, after weeks, months, years, even, and it feels as though you saw them only yesterday.