Mothers are the world's best jugglers—arranging family schedules from soccer to band practice to doctor's appointments, planning meals, and dealing with money issues, child care and work—they seem to do it all. There is a price to pay, however—the evidence is mounting that women today are experiencing more stress at every stage of life than ever before.

With all that responsibility, many moms are left feeling tired and stressed out. That stress contributes to poor sleep habits, which in turn can contribute to emotional issues, job issues, and weight gain. So, in honor of Mother's Day this month, it's a good time for moms to recognize the importance of addressing stress and learning to manage it in healthy ways.

Healthy Ways to Manage Stress

While motherhood has its challenges, the rewards definitely make it worthwhile—right, Moms? Think of those adorable Mother's Day cards or the very special breakfast in bed served by your 8-year-old; who wouldn't sign up for this? So be the best mom you can be by finding healthful ways to deal with whatever stresses you have in your life.

1) Identify the stressors in your life. These may be marital problems, conflicts at work, family illnesses, or just the day-to-day schedule you keep. Once you've identified the primary causes of stress, you can begin to figure out how to either change your stressors or learn to manage them better.

2) Schedule personal relaxation time. Setting aside a few minutes a day just to breathe—or collect and organize your thoughts—can work wonders. Start small. Schedule 10 minutes a day to do nothing but sit and breathe. Deep breathing can help bring your heart rate and breathing back to normal so you can clear your mind. Once you've accomplished that on a regular basis, consider taking up yoga or meditation.

3) Good nutrition through healthful food choices plays a crucial role in your ability to withstand times of extra stress. Carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals are all important for energy, mental concentration, and emotional stability. In addition to affecting digestion and your immune system, stress may increase your body's need for certain nutrients, so you may need an extra healthful diet to stay focused, alert, and energetic—and to ward off colds and flu. So choose a variety of foods and be sure to eat complex carbohydrates from whole-grain breads and cereals, beans and legumes, and fresh fruits and vegetables; lean protein from fish, chicken, soy, and nonfat or low-fat dairy products; and select heart-healthy omega-3 fats from fish, avocados, nuts, olives, and seeds. Cut back on junk foods, sodas, alcohol, and caffeinated beverages.

4) Get some extra sleep. Sleep deprivation not only contributes to weight gain and feelings of fatigue, it also can contribute to medical expenses, sick days, and accidents. When you sleep well, you wake up feeling refreshed, alert, and ready to face your daily challenges. To help you get a better night's sleep, try to maintain a regular bedtime and wake-time schedule, even on the weekends; establish a regular, relaxing bedtime routine; create a sleep-conducive environment (dark, quiet, and comfortable); and try not to eat meals, drink alcohol or caffeinated beverages, or exercise within a few hours of bedtime.

5) Boost your activity. Exercise not only can help reduce anxiety and increase productivity, which can help you handle stress better, it also helps control your appetite and burn calories, which can help you maintain a healthy weight.

6) Supplement your diet. Not enough time to shop for—or prepare—a healthy meal? When you're confronted with days like that, feel free to drink a healthful and convenient meal-replacement beverage or munch on a nutritious meal bar. Fill in nutritional gaps with a well-balanced, high-quality multivitamin/multimineral supplement and a high-quality fish oil supplement rich in omega-3 fatty acids such as DHA and EPA. For digestive health, take a probiotic supplement to help maintain healthy intestinal microflora, and for additional stress relief, try botanical ingredients such as L-theanine from green tea and ashwaganda. And finally, if getting to sleep remains a challenge, occasionally try herbal ingredients such as valerian, which can help you maintain a calm state and promote restful sleep.

We all know that being a mom takes an extraordinary amount of patience, love, and discipline. That's what makes moms so special! But juggling family, finances, and work commitments can really be stressful, so remember this Mother's Day to keep things in perspective: prioritize wherever you can, delegate responsibilities, eat right, stay active, and take your supplements. But most of all, make time for what's really important—taking care of yourself so you can be the best mom ever!