Again, today’s post is solely going to be based on my opinion, but I think it is an important topic that applies to me on a personal level.
I have been a mom for almost 3 years, and it has been an adventure. There are have been the highest of highs, the lowest of lows, and everything in between. It has come with lots of worry and guilt, but on the other hand I have never loved anyone as much as I love my child. I could go on and on, listing many clichés along the way, but I think most people can understand the emotional rollercoaster that is motherhood.
As you can imagine, with all of that emotion, it can take a toll on your mental health. While I won’t go into detail here, postpartum depression is one very serious concern that many moms face, and it is important to screen and treat for this. In general, though, I have had many moments where I have so much anxiety or guilt or sadness or frustration that I can’t help but wonder if I am losing my mind or if I need to get help. I think that is common, and I think it is important to assess if seeking help makes sense to you. While I have been fortunate enough to have these emotions pass fairly quickly, if any of them start to persist I plan to seek therapy, because I don’t want those negative emotions to get ahead of me. Currently, when I do get these emotions I do things like exercise, read, listen to music, or talk to a friend or family member. I have found that talking to other moms can be extremely helpful, because a lot of times they “get” what you are thinking. Of course, this list may not be helpful for every mom, but think about the ways you do or can deal with emotions such as anxiety or guilt.
To me, being a mom is rewarding and challenging, among many other things. It has done amazing things to my emotional health, but it also challenged it too. Because of that, I think about how I can take care of my emotional health and think about what my options are if I need more help in this part of my life. To be the best mom I can be, I need to take care of my mental health just like any other part of my health.