A lot of times, moms don’t get the credit that they deserve. Taking care of children is one of the most demanding and high-pressure responsibilities on the planet, and any mom who has done this understands why it should be considered a full time job. The New York Times essentially called it ‘relentless’.
- You never know when your child – especially if they’re still a baby – will awaken in need of food, water, or comfort.
- You are constantly having to look out for the safety and welfare of your child.
- Even when you’re not around your children, you are likely to be worried about them – if you’re not simply out to provide for them, buying food, scheduling appointments, etc.
Unfortunately, this highly demanding situation leads to many mothers developing some form of mental illness during their parenting days. Many mothers experience anxiety, depression, and other forms of mental illness.
It’s incredibly important to make sure that you get these things treated. There are a few reasons for this.
- Taking care of yourself, including your mental health, sets a good example for your children. If you are negligent towards yourself, this could set a bad example that your kids pick up on.
- Being stressed out, anxious, or depressed can be difficult on you, but it can also be difficult on your kids. It can be harder to be there for them when you’re struggling, and they rely on you.
- If you don’t nip a mental illness in the bud early on, it’s more likely that it will continue to get worse. Dealing with any mental health problems, even if they’re subtle, will help you prevent them from turning into worse problems later in life.
- Mental health issues, like stress, can also manifest as physical illness. This means that you’ll be even less able to take care of your kids!
Managing Mental Health for Mothers
It’s incredibly important for any mom to take care of their mental health, not only for their own welfare but for that of their kids. Fortunately, there are a few things that you can do:
- Seek therapy or counseling. There are many forms of therapy and counseling available. Therapy should not be feared: therapists are trained to help you understand what’s going on in your life so that you can make better decisions and understand your own feelings better.
- Family counseling can be particularly useful for struggling mothers. Family counselors are specifically trained to deal with issues like parenting.
- Try online counseling. Online counseling, or e-counseling, can be particularly appealing for busy mothers who have a tight schedule. Online counseling can be accessed from anywhere in the world, anywhere that you have an internet connection. While information is currently limited, more about this type of therapy can be found on E-counseling.com.
- Meditation & stress reduction. Take steps to reduce additional stress in your life by doing things like meditating.
- Exercise. Get those endorphins flowing. There is a strong link between exercise and improved mental health.
Remember, taking the time to take care of your mental health issues will be a great service, not just for you but for your family. If you’re raising kids, it’s important to be in sound mental health as often as possible.
