9 Ways to Minimize Mitzvah Planning Stress
Planning a Bar Mitzvah is one of the most exciting times in your family’s life, but it can also be extremely stressful. Anyone who has planned a bar mitzvah before knows this all too well. It’s crucial to find little pockets of time to relax, meet up with a friend, and just free the mind. Below, we’re sharing 9 of our favorite ideas that you can easily carve into your day to help you unwind, de-stress, and take a break from that never-ending to-do list.
- Meditate. Wake up before the kids a few days a week and give yourself the gift of silence with a mediation. Even just 2-5 minutes of mediation can clear your mind as you embark on whatever challenges the day may greet you aka mitzvah planning! Apps like Insight Timer and Headspace make this even easier with their customizable and guided mediations.
- Take a walk or hike. Walking or hiking with friends is a great way to get some exercise, clear your mind, and even get in a good vent session. Invite along a fellow mother who is going through the same planning process, or someone who planned a mitzvah in the past for some quality time to speak, share notes about vendors, and ask all your questions.
- Sit in your car and listen to your favorite songs. If mediating isn’t your thing, turn up your favorite songs and sing your heart out. Music is a powerful (and free!) way to help you feel energized, light, and happy!
- Call a friend. We are quite a text-centric culture that most of us have forgotten how to pick up a phone and call someone. When you are stressed out, call your best friend or a family member who can hear you out and listen to you. At the end of the day, there’s nothing like a real human connection.
- Get a massage. We love getting massages before-and-after Bar Mitzvah planning. Treat yourself to a massage where a masseuse can help you improve your mental and physical state as they knead away the stress from this big day.
- Look back at pictures from the old days. Is the child of honor stressing you out? Look through your “favorite” pictures on your phone. Do you remember when your little mitzvah-er was a baby and someone told you to look at their picture to help bond with them? This is the same idea. By looking at pictures of people you love it will simply make you feel better and release the same happy hormones. Plus, can you really be mad looking at your soon-to-be bar mitzvah child rocking a bowl of pasta on their head when they were two?
- Read a book. Reading is a great way to take a break from all of the lists and screens as you unwind and let your imagination take you to another world. Check out Goodreads for a list of some of the current bestsellers, or visit your local library to find a book from your favorite author. Read a few nights a week instead of watching TV to help you naturally unwind and probably sleep better.
- Sleep. Speaking of sleep, make sure you are getting enough rest during this frantic – and fun – planning phase. Aim for 6-8 hours and wake up and eat a high-quality, high protein breakfast to keep you powered up throughout the day.
- Go to a show. De-stressing can also be about fun! Buy tickets to a show (or concert) a few weeks after the event. This can be a nice treat for you where you can enjoy all of the hard work you’ve been doing these past few weeks and really relax!
Bar mitzvah planning isn’t easy but with some of our simple tips you can find ways to de-stress, unwind, and even have fun. Remember, you are only human and taking breaks in-between the party planning is part of the process, too! Happy resting!
Stacey Wallenstein is the founder of the parenting & lifestyle blog The Mint Chip Mama. Visit her website at themintchipmama.com and find her across all socials at @themintchipmama
