It's difficult to watch your wife struggle with stress from work, finances, children, parents or other triggers. In fact, her stress is likely affecting not only her, but you and the rest of your family. While some of coping with stress is an internal, personal process, there are a variety of ways to be supportive and to help her feel better.
Step 1
Talk to your wife and explore what stresses her out, and which sources of stress are the most taxing. Identify stress triggers she can avoid or limit exposure to. Take over certain responsibilities for your wife when possible if they cause her stress.
Step 2
Encourage your wife to relinquish unnecessary sources of stress, or to stop accepting new ones if she's the type who can't say no to people. Approach such topics carefully, explaining that you only have her best interests in mind.
Step 3
Make yourself available to your wife when she needs to talk. Remind her that you're there for her whenever she needs you to listen.
Step 4
Take up more of the daily chores. Cook dinner, clean, do laundry, go grocery shopping, entertain the kids and complete tasks around the house that sap your wife's time and energy.
Step 5
Help your wife prioritize tasks on her to-do list. Divide larger tasks into smaller, more manageable components. Encourage her to take things one at a time, and help her see why she doesn't need to feel overwhelmed or stressed. Pitch in whenever possible, and help her manage her time.
Step 6
Arrange for your wife to have quiet, solitary time. Take everyone out of the house for a few hours, or arrange it so that she can go off on her own for a while.
Step 7
Walk or jog together, go to the gym together or otherwise find ways to get physical activity. Exercise helps coping, and you both are more likely to stick with it when you exercise together. You'll both feel better mentally and physically.
Step 8
Try enjoyable, relaxing activities with your wife. Take a yoga or tai chi class, or treat yourselves to a few massage therapy sessions. Listen to soothing music, play board games with each other or read together.
Step 9
Focus on eating a healthy diet with your wife and family. Stock the house with fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, nuts and seeds, low-fat dairy and unsaturated fats. Limit processed foods and junk food.
Step 10
Do what you can to help your wife get enough restful sleep. Make her a cup of chamomile or green tea a bit before bedtime. Draw her a warm bath with scented bath oils. Make the bedroom comfortable for her and encourage her to go to bed eight hours before she must get up.
Step 11
Establish a weekly date night with your wife. Go out together for dinner, a movie, a visit with friends or another enjoyable activity. Or, arrange for the kids to be out of the house overnight and have your date at home.
Tips and Warnings
- Monitor how you interact with your wife. Refrain from being critical, judgmental, antagonistic or otherwise an additional source of stress. Watch for signs she is treating herself in these ways, too, and encourage her not to be too hard on herself.
