10 Ways For Moms to Support Their Mental Health

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It’s not always easy to support our mental health, but if it doesn’t become a regular practice, things will be even more challenging.

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Fridays are the most challenging day of the week for me. I know…ironic, since Friday is typically the day of the week that most people look forward to with great anticipation. Not me.

I will tell you why, though.

Chris has days off during the week and Friday he is resting to get ready to return to work that evening. Translation: I gotta keep things somewhat quiet around the house. Fridays are the one day a week that Blake doesn’t have school, however I still have to work. She’s too young to understand that, so still very much relies on me as her daily activity coordinator.

I love Blake dearly, but oh my goodness is she busy! She has always been this way. Don’t get me wrong, there are pockets of time within the day where she will sit and play with her Barbie Dream House, but she still comes to me quite frequently asking the question, “what’s next?”

It’s overhwelming for me and pushes my anxiety to the absolute brink.

Withouut a shadow of a doubt, each Friday, no matter what, I have what I call a little mini meltdown.

10 Ways For Moms to Support Their Mental Health

In an attempt to avoid my Friday anxieties, I’m really trying to work smarter during the week so that I can better support my mental health, have more time with Blake knowing that she wants and needs my attention, and I thought I would share what I’m doing with you all today. I hope that it helps you navigate some challenging moments and the mental load that only mother’s bare.

1. Balance your hormones

If you follow my Instagram reels, you know that hormone balance is a big thing in my life right now. Last year I went on a huge quest for weight loss, and I actually have a big update planned soon. Moral of my story though: balance your hormones. This can be done through working out, the foods that you eat, and I start my day with this mixed into my water with electrolytes.

2. Reduce your social media usage

Social media means that we play the compare game and cast that awful imposter syndrome over our life, making us believe that there are other/better things we should be doing than what we are. Cut that out.

3. Practice positive self-talk

I find myself doing this most whenever I’m working out and should do it more in all areas of life. Positive self-talk is so incredibly important because it gives you the boost you need to push forward and go through challenging moments. I often remind myself that happiness is a choice that we get to make each and every day.

4. Listen to music that YOU truly love

Turn off the Jojo Siwa Pandora station on the way to pre-school drop-off and pump up the Spice Girls if it makes you happy! (I have a great mood-boosting playlist here!)

5. Workout regularly

Regularly is the keyword here. Just like taking a pill every day for anxiety or depression, getting into a routine with working out will help your mental health, too. If you think this is impossible, I promise it’s not. You will end up loving it and craving your daily workout. I have a guide here for how all moms can fit it into their daily routine.

6. Connect with other mamas

Theres nothing that makes you feel better as a mom than sitting down with other moms and having all those “me too” and “that happens to you, too?!” moments. If you just moved to a new city like I recently did, I have a great guide for making mom friends in a new place.

7. Stop trying to do it all

I’m all for cutting corners where they need to be cut. We can’t be everything to everyone and still have sanity within ourselves. Buy the premade mashed potatoes. Eat on paper plates sometimes. Have your groceries delivered. Stop signing up for everything at pre-school.

I wrote a few years ago about my journey from trying to be SuperMom to realizing that I am a Super Mom (see what I did there?) and if you are feeling this way, too, it’s worth a read!

8. Re-evaluate your expectations

Sometimes we have expectations that are much too high and then we are disappointed whenever people don’t reach them. Set the bar a little lower if need be.

9. Start a hobby or do something for you

Even if it is just 20 min of reading before bed, make it a habit, a hobby, whatever you need to call it, and just do it!

10. Set boundaries

For example, have a friend who calls and talks without letting you get a word in? Let them know (with love of course) that you are setting a timer and will have to get off the phone when it goes off. We all have a lot going on and setting boundaries within different areas of your life will help you better manage your mental health.

Looking for more on managing your mental health?

Lastly, I’m not a doctor, so when all else fails, make sure you see yours. Being a mom in 2022 is drastically different than being a mom as 10, 20, and more years ago. It just is. Expectations are high. Support is limited. It sucks sometimes and sometimes it’s heart-bursting joyful. If you are having trouble navigating your mental health on your own, make sure you see a therapist. It will make all the difference in the world when you find the right one.

XOXO,

Allison