Today, we’re talking about mental health tips for moms. It’s something that I think doesn’t get enough coverage out there in the world. You see, being a mom is absolutely one of the most rewarding experiences any woman will ever experience. However, it’s also one of the most physically and mentally taxing things a woman will ever do. Today, I’m talking about how moms can take care of themselves while they take care of their families.
Mental Health Tips for Moms
Being a mom is magic. It’s pure joy. It’s an overwhelming torrent of love that you never thought you could ever experience. It’s everything the Hallmark cards and movies say it is. However, it’s also incredibly hard. It’s frustrating. It’s overwhelming. At times, it can feel like rock climbing with greasy hands. It’s an odd combination of joy and horror if we moms are being honest.
We are responsible for keeping a tiny human alive. And not only alive, but thriving, well-adjusted, loved, and being an overall good person. That’s a heavy responsibility, and it’s all too easy to become completely overwhelmed by it. That’s why I’m sharing these five mental health tips for moms. So we can take care of ourselves and our families. It all starts with us, moms.
1. Ask for Help
I put this one first because it’s the most important and also the least done. Moms, it is totally okay to ask for help. Contrary to what we see in the idealized version of motherhood on the screen and on social media, we will need help, and it’s absolutely vital that we ask for it.
We’re not superheroes. We’re not robots that never tire. We’re human beings, and we have our limits. We can’t be good people, parents, daughters, sisters, and wives if we’re constantly overloaded and under-rested. Asking for help is not an admission of weakness, it’s recognizing that it takes more than just us to raise our kids.
2. Take a Break
Have you ever heard of burning the candle at both ends? I’m sure you have, and you know what it means – taxing yourself beyond your limits and attempting to do more than you can without ever stopping to rest.
If you’re a mom who never takes a break, you’re not burning your candle at both ends, you’re throwing the entire candle into a fire. You’ll burn out – and sooner rather than later. Take care of yourself! When you put your child down for a nap, take a breather. Read. Meditate. Do whatever makes you feel happy. Everything else can wait. Take advantage of those quiet moments when you’re feeling depleted.
3. Eat Well
When you’re a mom, you’re always busy. It’s easy to simply reach for whatever is available and fast when you’re hungry. However, if you’re living on a steady diet of snacks – or even worse, not eating anything for hours on end – your energy levels will tank.
Low energy makes it hard to do the things you need to do in a day, and it can affect your mental health. Keep things like nuts, fruits, and fresh vegetables that are easy to eat on hand. If you simply do not have the time to make yourself a proper meal, you can at least snack on something healthy. Pro tip: protein shakes and some nuts are a game-changer. Remember, a healthy body is directly connected to a healthy mind. And speaking of a healthy body…
4. Exercise
One of my biggest mental health tips for moms is taking the time to exercise. Now, you may not exercise because you feel too overwhelmed with your baby, you feel rushed because you’re taking your tween to all his or her extracurricular activities, or you simply just hate to do it. I understand all of those, but exercise is one of the best ways to keep your mental health in order.
Exercise serves several purposes. It builds stamina so it helps you do more of what you need to do in a day. It also improves your body composition, boosting your self-confidence. In addition, exercise releases endorphins, the happy chemicals in your brain. Finally, what really gives me a push is remembering a healthy body is a body that works better. Now days especially I am struggling just to get out of bed, my hip is so stiff and if I can will myself to get up and move you can also! Also print out the exercise log, it will help keep you accountable.
5. Understand Your Limitations
Finally, we come to what I consider to be the most important of all the mental health tips for moms I’ve shared here today. Understand your limitations. It’s vital that you recognize that you can’t do everything all the time. Not only can you not do everything, but you’re not supposed to! The saying “it takes a village” is really true.
Post my second hip replacement I can attest to finally understanding my limitations. I had to have a deep conversation with my family and explain despite my desire to do it all, I physically can not while I am recovering. They all understood, and more importantly didn’t expect me to do it all as I would typically.
The greatest thing about family is that we’re all there to help and support one another. I leaned into that hard this go round. Have your spouse take over while you take a break. Establish a clear division of labor. Call your mom with questions. Talk to other moms about the joys and the hardships of motherhood. Open yourself up to the power of community. No woman is an island, and trying to do it all yourself – telling yourself that you HAVE to do it all – is a fast track to burning out and possibly depression.
Mental Health Tips for Mom to Help You Thrive
These mental health tips for moms are all basic things that you can start doing today to help your mental and physical health. And trust me, those two are connected. I encourage you to start trying these tips for yourself. I know they made a huge difference in my life, and I think they’ll make a big difference in yours, as well.
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