Motherhood and Mental Health: Finding Balance and Support

Motherhood is a profound journey filled with joy, love, and countless blessings. However, it can also be an incredibly demanding and challenging role that can take a toll on a mother’s mental health.

Finding balance and support is essential for mothers to navigate the complexities of motherhood while maintaining their well-being. In this article, we will explore the intersection of motherhood and mental health, delve into common challenges faced by mothers, and discuss strategies for finding balance and support in this vital aspect of life.

The Challenges of Motherhood on Mental Health

Motherhood brings with it a myriad of responsibilities and pressures that can impact a mother’s mental well-being. The demands of caring for children, managing household tasks, juggling work responsibilities, and meeting societal expectations can create stress, anxiety, and feelings of overwhelm.

The role of the mother is the only job that never ends. You are working 24/7. No body can do this without burning out or having a breakdown. Sleep deprivation, isolation, comparison with other mothers, and the constant need to balance multiple roles can further exacerbate mental health challenges for mothers.

After the birth of my second child I was hospitalized for postpartum depression. I must say it was one of the best things I ever did. I was able to get complete rest and learn realistic roles and responsibilities for my role as a mother and wife.

Recognizing the Signs of Mental Health Struggles

It is crucial for mothers to be aware of the signs of mental health struggles and to prioritize their well-being. Symptoms such as persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, overwhelming anxiety, irritability, changes in sleep or appetite, difficulty concentrating, and loss of interest in activities can indicate the presence of mental health issues. Ignoring these signs can lead to more severe conditions such as postpartum depression, anxiety disorders, or burnout.

If you feel like you are suffering from depression you should talk to your doctor. You can fill out the PHQ-9 assessment to take with you to the doctors, it helps assess your level of depression.

Seeking Support and Building a Support System

One of the most important steps in maintaining mental health as a mother is seeking support and building a strong support system. This can include reaching out to family and friends for emotional support, seeking professional help from therapists or counselors, joining support groups for mothers, or connecting with other mothers who can relate to the challenges of motherhood. Opening up about struggles and seeking help is not a sign of weakness but a courageous step towards prioritizing one’s mental well-being.

Strategies for Finding Balance in Motherhood

Finding balance in motherhood is essential for maintaining mental health and overall well-being. Here are some strategies that mothers can incorporate into their daily lives to find balance:

Self-Care

Prioritize self-care activities that nurture your physical, emotional, and mental well-being. This can include activities such as exercise, meditation, journaling, reading, or engaging in hobbies that bring you joy and relaxation.

Make sure you get a minimum of 8 hours sleep a night and eat lots of fruit and vegetables. Self care not just about day spa’s and exfoliating wraps it’s about caring for you tomorrow and planning the best care for your future self today.

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Set Boundaries

Learn to set boundaries and say no to commitments that drain your energy or overwhelm you. It is okay to prioritize your needs and take time for yourself without feeling guilty. I personally find setting boundaries hard in life generally little alone trying to set and maintain boundaries with my children.

A great book that helped me with setting boundaries was Boundaries with Kids: How Healthy Choices Grow Healthy Children by Christian authors Henry Cloud (Author), John Townsend.

I had a major wake up call when the authors discuss children that have not had boundaries growing up become disfunctional adults that do know now how to follow boundaries. This can lead to imprisonment, financial hardship, drug abuse and many more life destroying activities. If we dont teach our children boundaries the goverment will and the punishment will be much more harsh then a time out in the naughty corner.

On the lesser side, my kids would tell me they were hungry every hour or half hour. I was always exhausted, had no time to eat or shower myself because the kids thought the kitchen was cafe Rooney.

Once I realized what was happening I set clear boundaries on meal times and supplied the kids with healthy snack that they could get themselves between meals. This included, yogurts, string cheese, apples, strawberries, and apple sauce, and vegetable purees.

Delegate Tasks

Delegate household tasks and responsibilities to family members or consider hiring help if possible. Sharing the workload can alleviate stress and free up time for self-care and relaxation.

I found the fly lady morning routine and cleaning schedule very useful and a great way to get things done around the home while giving you more time to relax. Once you set your morning routine and implement it, it will become second nature and you can simply go on auto-pilot which is much less draining.

One of the things I love the most from the fly lady cleaning system was the suggestion of putting all of the clothes and towels from the day into the washing machine at night and then throwing them in the dryer in the morning. Voila now you don’t have any big loads or backlog of washing, or folding ever again.

It’s been great staying on top of the washing so easily and not have to dread a whole day of washing, drying and packing away.

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Practice Mindfulness

Incorporate mindfulness practices into your daily routine, such as deep breathing exercises, mindfulness meditation, or grounding techniques that help you stay present and calm in the midst of chaos.

You can even practice mindfulness while you are doing the dishes or the laundry. Mindfulness simply means staying in the present moment.

Connect with Others

Foster connections with other mothers who can provide empathy, understanding, and support. Joining parenting groups, online communities, or attending local support groups can help you feel less isolated and more supported in your journey.

You could one up that strategy and connect with others via acts of service. An easy way to build a social circle is to organize a get together with the mums from church and take the kids to the park in the mornings.

Not only does it get you out of the house dressed and ready first thing in the morning it also get’s the kids out socializing before the heat of the day comes in. You can wear the little ones out in the morning and then take them home for a snack and sleep.

Embracing Imperfection and Grace in Motherhood

It is important for mothers to embrace imperfection and extend grace to themselves in the journey of motherhood. No mother is perfect, and it is okay to make mistakes, feel overwhelmed, and seek help when needed.

By practicing self-compassion, acknowledging your efforts, and celebrating small victories, you can cultivate a positive mindset and navigate the challenges of motherhood with resilience and grace.

Instead of thinking about all the things you didn’t do today, think about all the things you did do! You will surprise yourself.

Conclusion

Motherhood and mental health are intricately intertwined aspects of a mother’s life that require attention, care, and support. By recognizing the challenges, seeking help when needed, and implementing strategies for finding balance, mothers can prioritize their mental well-being and navigate the complexities of motherhood with grace and resilience.

Remember, you are not alone in this journey, and seeking support is a courageous step towards prioritizing your mental health as a mother. Embrace imperfection, practice self-care, and connect with others to create a supportive environment that nurtures your well-being and allows you to thrive in the beautiful journey of motherhood.