6 Crucial Health Tips Every Mom Needs to Know

Written by Shadi Salehyar

Being a mom is a wonderful thing, but it can also come with its fair share of hardships.  May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and in honor of Mother’s Day, Families Together wants to ensure that all of the great moms out there are taking care of themselves this month and beyond. We have put together this list of tips for moms to help them maintain their mental health!

1. Take care of yourself physically

We live in a fast-paced and busy world where most people find it difficult to prioritize their health. This especially applies to mothers who barely have any time to themselves. It’s really important for your physical and mental health for you to listen to your body. Ensure that you’re getting enough food, water and sleep and try your best to exercise and go outside for some sunshine and fresh air. Since moms tend to spend a lot of time at home, looking up workouts on youtube can help maintain physical health. Families Together has a playlist of workouts you can follow along with in the comfort of your own home! It’s also really beneficial to continue to eat healthy. Check out our cooking classes to learn some delicious and healthy recipes! When your body isn’t being neglected, you’ll feel better physically, which will also make you feel better mentally. 

2. Take Some Time Everyday To Do Something You Enjoy

Being a mom takes a lot of work and costs a large amount of your time and energy, but it’s imperative to your well being that you find a little bit of time every day to do something that you enjoy. Read a book, tend to your garden, watch an episode of a tv show you like, draw a picture, or call a friend. When you’re a mom, your whole life will revolve around your children. It’s easy to forget who you are outside of motherhood. Scheduling some time in the day to remind yourself that you have other hobbies and people in your life that are important to you will help this issue. Make sure that you don’t lose your sense of identity.

3. Talk To Friends and Family Who Will Uplift You

You are your own worst critic, which is why it’s really important for you to have a support system that will catch you when you fall. If you’re ever feeling depressed or overly critical of yourself, give a trusted friend or family member a call. Not only will this help you get your feelings off your chest, but it can also serve as a reminder that you are loved and supported. Loved ones can offer advice or even just reassurance that you’re doing a good job, and these things will make it a little bit easier to get through each day.

4. Forgive Yourself For Mistakes

No one is perfect, and when you’re a mom, you’re bound to make mistakes just like everyone else. You might slip up and get more angry at your children than you intended or unintentionally dismiss something they say. It’s normal to feel a little guilty when you aren’t living up to your standards as a parent, but holding onto negative emotions will not help you or your children. Let yourself feel the remorse your mistake caused and then let it go. Promise yourself you will work on doing better tomorrow. Make a list of positive affirmations to revisit when you’re feeling down on yourself and make sure you engage in self-care. Remove yourself from triggering situations and reward yourself with your favorite food or a nice bath for doing your best. Mistakes are bound to happen and the same mistakes will likely happen more than once. It’s important to remind yourself to let go and keep trying.

5. Know the Signs of a Mental Health Issue

It’s always good to be prepared, and if you know how to recognize the signs of an impending mental health issue, you’ll know when you need to seek out support. Do your research on mental conditions that can affect moms. New moms may experience postpartum depression, but moms can experience anxiety and depression at any stage in motherhood. If you’re feeling fatigued, irritable or hopeless, losing interest in your hobbies or having trouble sleeping, you may want to speak to a professional to seek out the help you need.

6. See a Therapist

There is only so much any one person can do on their own. Always remember that there is no shame in seeking out the help of a trained professional. Seeing a therapist can help you track your emotions and learn how to cope with them. Therapists are trained to help you learn the skills it will take to get through each day without getting overwhelmed by your responsibilities. These skills will help you feel better equipped to take care of your children and your mental wellbeing!

If you or anyone you know is in need of mental health services, Families Together is here to help! You can check out our website to find out more about our behavioral health and wellness services. We also offer group resiliency classes, which can be found here! Please call us at 1(800) 597-7977 ext. 509 for more information.