How to take Charge of Your Mental Health

We all know how hard it is to be a mom. You don't sleep much, and then there are the toddler tantrums that never seem to go away. The weight of the responsibility of tiny humans is overwhelming at times. Some days it seems there's no time left for you. Your mental health definitely struggles.

Mental health is a big part of your wellbeing. Many mothers don't even know where to start or how to take care of themselves mentally. Moms must prioritize their mental health, so it does not interfere with the entire family's health in the future.

It's hard to find the time to take care of yourself when juggling
Like this content on Facebook everything else in life, but it is necessary. While it may not seem like you ever have enough time in the day to even take time for yourself, there is still time. It is all about finding a balance.

It may seem like there isn't enough time in the day for everything, but there are ways to make time for yourself that only requires a few minutes at a time.

As a mom in today's society, you're expected to be a perfect employee, a provider for your family, and always look your best. These expectations inevitably take their toll on your mental wellbeing and health.

If you are struggling to find that time for yourself, here are some ideas for how you can maintain your mental health while balancing family and work life.

What is Mental Health?

We all have an idea about what mental illness looks like (i.e., the presence of depressive, anxiety, psychotic symptoms. etc.). However, when we think about mental health, most of us struggle to define what good mental health looks like. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), mental health is not just the absence of mental illness, but an overall state of well-being in which an individual realizes his or her own potential, manages the normal stresses of life, works productively and makes a positive contribution to the community that constitutes mental health. There are three areas of mental well-being can be measured:

Emotional Health - including satisfaction and happiness

Psychological Health - including self-acceptance, optimism, and positive relationships

Social Health - including personal self-worth and a sense of community.

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Why is it so Hard to Take Care of Our Mental Health as a Mom?

It's no secret that being a mom is tough. You require an extraordinary level of patience, strength, and understanding. And while most moms are content with the joys of motherhood, some feel completely overwhelmed by their day-to-day lives.

It's hard to stay happy when you know your baby isn't. It is so hard to balance your own emotional well being as well as everyone else’s. The weight of this responsibility can be overwhelming.

Most moms don't get enough sleep at night anyway, so when you combine lack of sleep with other aspects of motherhood, such as long work hours and limited social interactions, your mental health seems to be nonexistent.

Related post: What the Bible says about Self-Care

10 Ways to Take Care of Your Mental Health as a Mom

We need to figure out the right balance between taking care of ourselves and being there for our family members.

We don't have to give up any of our responsibilities or obligations; instead, we need to find ways to take care of our mental health with the time that we do have. Here are ten easy suggestions to help you get started!

Socialize

Mothers who stay at home need time to themselves just like everyone else, whether for a social outing or some alone time. But, we also need to socialize with other people, including other moms.

Spending time with family and friends will reduce your stress levels. If you stay at home by yourself all the time, you are more likely to become depressed. This is mainly because you never get to release all those emotions stored inside of you. Socializing is a healthy way to do just that.

Try to find time to socialize as often as you can. This could be a playdate with another mom or calling your mom after a challenging day.

Please also remember to consider talking to a professional. There is no shame in talking to a therapist if you are struggling or if everything seems fine. Therapists are there to help teach us better ways to take care of ourselves and teach us how to handle challenges when they come.

Exercise

Does this sound familiar? "I know I need to exercise more, but I don't have time."

It is so hard to find time to work out when you are busy taking care of children all day long. When you finally have the time for yourself, something always seems to go wrong, or you are too exhausted to move.

There are some easy ways to stay fit, even as a stay-at-home mom. Kids love to exercise, and it always helps them release all their energy! Try doing some yoga with your kids, or take the kids out for a walk. Try to think of quick, easy movements you can do, with or without kids.

Be Kind to Yourself

Do you ever treat yourself kindly? How often do you think you are not enough or a bad mom? This is something that most moms neglect. You need to treat yourself like you would your best friend. You wouldn't tell your friend she is a bad mom, so why do you do that to yourself?

It is also important to take care of your other needs. If you are not sleeping, relaxing, eating healthily, and taking care of your mental health, you are not kind to yourself. So stop it!

Here are a few ways you can take better care of yourself:

Schedule time for self-care every week
Eating healthy snacks
Exercise daily
Meditate
Take time to relax
Use coping skills when you experience strong emotions

Don't feel guilty or give up if you have a bad day. Give yourself plenty of grace. We are not supposed to be perfect. All we need to do is be a little better each day.

Get Outside

We could all probably use more time outside, especially as a stay-at-home-mom. The less time you spend outside, the more you struggle with your mental health.

Something as simple as a nature walk could make all the difference for you! Take a walk, go on a bike ride, or simply sit in your backyard every now and then and just breathe in all that nice air. You will feel so much better!

Write in a Journal

Journaling helps us release all our emotions and declutter all the thoughts in our minds. It is a way many moms can fully express themselves without being judged. Try to write in a journal as often as you can.

You do not have to write about your day, but if it helps, you can. You can also make a gratitude journal and write down things you are grateful for each day. Some prefer to just write for ten minutes straight about whatever is on their mind. Others prefer to include positive thoughts in their journal. Do what works best for you.

Jesus Is My Superhero Journal Let Go & Let God Journal Do Not Despise Journal A.S.A.P. - Always Say A Prayer Journal Jesus Is Not Just A Sunday Thing Journal

Schedule Time for Yourself

Usually, when we schedule things, we will stick to them. So, schedule time for yourself! You deserve that precious time. Find something that makes you happy, and schedule time for it daily, even if it is just for five minutes.

Express Your Feelings

Don't feel guilty for any feelings you have. The more you keep them inside, the more you will struggle. It is okay to acknowledge all our feelings and express them as they come. You do not need to keep anything in. Often, you will see that you will feel better as soon as you release them.

Meditate Daily

This does not mean you have to sit quietly for an hour each day. Most often, the best meditation I do is only for five minutes! I prefer to start my day with a quick meditation, as I find it is the perfect way to start my day. I am often happier as well.

Unplug for Social Media

Nowadays, social media does more harm than good. It is so easy to compare ourselves, especially as moms, to our friends and family. If you find yourself comparing and feeling more negative after scrolling, you probably need to take a break.

Decide how long you will unplug from social media. Many social media fasts are a week to a month at a time. Delete the apps if you need to and stick with it. You will feel so much better after!

Declutter

Clutter builds up both in our homes and in our minds. When there is all that clutter, it is hard to think straight or move on with our lives. It is crucial to declutter a little bit every single day. Even something as simple as five-minute declutter times will make all the difference for your mental health!

There is no such thing as a perfect mom. But, we can all become better moms when we prioritize our mental health. Take a little bit of time each day to take care of yourself. You will find you are a happier and better mom for it!

If you try some of the above strategies and find that mental health issues are negatively impacting your life, it may be time to seek professional help. You can search our directory for a qualified provider for a local Christian therapist near you.

About the Author:

Kate is a mother of two little toddlers and has been a Christian all her life. After giving birth, she has felt more drawn toward Christ than ever before and loves relying on Him to help her throughout her motherhood journey. After graduating with a degree in psychology, Kate has a goal to empower mothers to take control of their mental health, so they can be the best mothers they can be. You can find out more about Kate by visiting: kateable.com

Help us increase mental health awareness in the Christian community by donating through our paypal link here: www.paypal.com/therapyforchristians, joining our mailing list by clicking below, or join our provider list here: Provider listing

Disclaimer: the information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this article are for informational purposes only. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you are looking for a Christian counselor near you, please check out our directory located here: Christians Therapist Near Me