Whether you are a new mother or have grown children, you have likely come to understand and experience the stresses that come with motherhood. Stress is normal. In fact, it can be healthy and lead to higher productivity. However, when it begins to affect your mental health in negative ways, then it is time to assess what you can change in your life so you can manage your stress and mental health in a positive way.
Manage Daily Stress
Crying babies, potty training, picking the right preschool, daycare, elementary school, and math homework – these are just a few of the daily stresses that mothers with young children encounter. As your children gain more independence, you can attain even more sources of stress. As a mother, you want the best for your kids. However, it is time to think about how your own mental health is being affected. How are you managing your stress and mental health?
Managing daily stress is not easy. In fact, it’s going to take hard work to manage both your children’s lives and your own mind – both of which may be driving you up a wall. Don’t feel alone, though. Almost 80% of Americans claim to experience daily stress. All mothers must learn how to manage multiple things at once – and their own mental health must become one of them. It’s simply something you will continue to learn about and manage as you grow older. And if you want to release tension and improve fluid movement of the central nervous system promoting a feeling of balance and well being while encouraging natural healing, then you may consider craniosacral treatment therapy. You may also try quantum healing hypnosis if you want to manage stress and overwhelm.
Build a Healthy Routine
Building a healthy routine is essential when it comes to managing your own mental health and daily stress on a day-to-day basis. What can this healthy routine look like? Let’s take a look.
First, be sure you are getting a proper amount of sleep each night. This is going to be difficult depending on your work schedule and your children’s sleep schedules. However, try your best to get a good amount of sleep so you can be productive each and every day. Secondly, set aside a block of time for yourself every day and engage in a stress-relieving activity. You may choose to do yoga, jog, walk, watch a TV show, or write in a journal.
Whether you work in an office, at a hospital, at a school, or at home, be sure to take breaks throughout your day. It’s important to appreciate the things around you and to maintain a healthy amount of stress while at work. Utilizing stress-relievers such as stress balls or soft music can also be helpful.
Another way to maintain a healthy daily routine is to utilize a to-do list. Daily and long-term to-do lists are especially handy when it comes to juggling many things each day, week, and month. Not only does it feel good to check something off, but you will feel much more organized, which is another way of managing your mental health in a positive way.
Seek Help and Support
Did you know that 21% of Millennials and 16% of Gen X are currently engaged in therapy? With a growing understanding of mental health and ways to manage it, more and more people are seeking professional help – and you can, too. If you think your stress or poor mental health is affecting your daily life, productivity, children, and other relationships, then perhaps it is time to consult a professional for help.
With more and more people seeking professional help, there are many ways to seek it. Many companies offer mental health counseling and therapy opportunities to their employees, so be sure to check with a human resources representative where you work before you seek help elsewhere. If your company doesn’t offer professional help, then you can find a counselor or therapist online just like those from the mental health services in Murrells Inlet, SC. There are websites to filter location, specialty, and insurance acceptance.
Seeking professional help is nothing to be afraid of or embarrassed by. In fact, recognizing that you need help and taking the leap to find it is quite brave and something you should feel proud of.
Take Breaks
Aside from establishing and maintaining healthy routines and seeking help, be sure to also make time for some fun. Taking breaks from your everyday life and doing something fun with friends or family is a great way to de-stress and gain a new perspective on what you have to be grateful for.
If you and your friends enjoy wine, perhaps plan a wine tour. With the average daily rate for a hotel being $120.01 according to Statista.com, surely you and your friends can split the cost and enjoy a fun weekend getaway together, so book a downtown modern hotel now! If you and your cousins have a favorite restaurant, take a night off and enjoy a meal with your family. While being away from your children can be difficult, especially if you are a new mother, it is important to de-stress, and sometimes that can include having some fun with other adults.
Being a mother is stressful, but managing your mental health is definitely one aspect of motherhood you need to tackle sooner rather than later. It can be difficult to take time for yourself and take breaks, but everyone needs them. Manage your stress in healthy ways, and don’t forget that making mistakes is okay – it’s part of motherhood and life.