If you are a mom living in these tumultuous and ever-changing times currently, first of all, congratulations. We are so happy and grateful that you are here. The last few years have been a whirlwind – with the pandemic and isolation anxiety, the constant worrying about your and your child’s health, and the struggle to accept and adapt to a changed world has kept you on your toes.
In short, being a mother is much harder than the perfect Instagram moments we see on our feeds. Being a mother is a full-time job with no breaks, vacations, or off days. You are constantly expected to put your needs behind your child and prioritize the well-being of the family. In the middle of all this, mothers often forget one of the most important things – their personal well-being and health.
As we celebrate Maternal Mental Health Day on May 3 this year, it is important to acknowledge the immense physical and emotional struggles of motherhood. Maternal Mental Health Day is marked yearly to raise awareness about maternal mental health issues and provide affected mothers with the right support and treatments. It is also the perfect time to remind ourselves to support and uplift the mothers around us.
Maternal Mental Health Day is also a reminder for all the mothers out there to take a step back from their busy lives and dedicate some time to their personal well-being. Remember how they say you can’t pour from an empty cup? In the same way, if you don’t take care of yourself, you will not be able to fully be there for your child or your family.
This is why to help you get started on the journey of mental well-being, we have curated a list of the best, least intimidating self-care tips for you. Let’s get started.
Self-Care Tips For Moms
1. Start your day with yourself.
It is believed that the first 30 minutes of your day set the tone for the rest of your day. As moms, you might put yourself at the bottom of your to-do list. And by the time you actually reach out to yourself, you find that there isn’t any energy or even time left to do something solely for yourself.
Therefore, start the first 10-20 minutes of the day solely for yourself. Do something you love. Try journaling, meditating, dancing, or cooking your favorite breakfast. Choose an activity that feels nurturing for you.
2. Think about your needs.
Yes, taking care of your baby is a priority. But that does not translate into forgetting your own needs. If you cater to your needs, you are better prepared to handle the stressors that come at you in the course of your daily life. Therefore, think about your needs too. If you want to go out, hang out with friends, or have a bubble bath – do it all without feeling guilty. It does not make you selfish.
Read more: Best Online Therapy Platforms
3. Focus on your strengths and not weaknesses.
We all have a list of things we are proud of and not so proud of. However, the social conditioning of women, especially mothers, is such that they are constantly forced to focus on their weaknesses. They constantly torture themselves about what they could have or should have done differently. This approach, though familiar, definitely does not serve any purpose.
Here’s something you could try doing instead of this – remind yourself of things you did well today at the end of each day. You will be amazed at what this can do for your self-esteem and mental health.
4. Understand that you don’t need to be perfect at everything.
As a mother, it can be life-changing to understand that you don’t necessarily need to do something 100% perfect in order to actually do them. It is okay sometimes to get the bare minimum done. For example, using a washcloth is fine if you don’t or can’t have a bath one day. Eating cereal or a granola bar is great if you can’t make a full-fledged meal today. If you don’t want to get out of bed, try sitting up or something. Understand that incremental progress is still progress.
Read more: Pregnancy And Infant Loss Awareness Month – You Are Not Alone In This
Conclusion:
Maternal Mental Health Day is dedicated to understanding the struggles of mothers and providing them with a supportive environment. It is also a time for mothers to reflect on their well-being and cater to their needs. We hope these self-care tips for mothers will help you prioritize yourself and maintain your well-being better.
Maternal Mental Health Day is also a time to understand the various mental health issues affecting new mothers. To know more about them, click here.
To continue learning about mental health, subscribe to Your Mental Health Pal.