Reminders for When Mom Needs to be Mothered
During an especially busy season of parenting, compounded with some stressful situations at work, I found myself feeling depleted, discouraged, and exhausted. As I was driving home from the grocery store one Saturday, mentally preparing my to-do’s for the weekend and the week ahead (and spiraling into a ball of stress at the thought of it all) I said out loud (to no one): “I want my Momma!” And, thankfully, I still have her. She just lives far away. So since a visit with my mom was not an option, I realized the next best thing was to remind myself of things she’d say to me when I was down. So I said them to myself, and I’m saying them here, now, for all of us.
Take a Breath
Often when we get all wound up in our thoughts or worries or stress, our body mimics our mind and also gets tight and tense. Sometimes we forget to breathe deeply. So just stop what you’re doing. Close your eyes. Breathe in through your nose. Fill up your lungs. Now breathe out through your mouth. Now in again. And out. Try that a couple more times. Open your eyes. Feel better? Me too.
Have a Drink (or a Snack)
I don’t know that having a glass of water has ever solved all the problems in the world, but it does help our bodies fuel they need to function properly. Staying hydrated (and fed for that matter) can shift your mood just enough to help you fight through a really frustrating day.
Get Some Rest
This one seems laughable to many moms, especially moms of littles. BUT I have found it to be true that while part of my anxiety comes from having too many responsibilities and not enough time, I also know that I work more efficiently when I’m well rested. I also know that rest can be hard to come by in the long nights of toddlerhood, but sometimes getting even a twenty minute nap on a Sunday afternoon can rejuvenate a weary mind and body. So sneak in some extra zzz’s as often as you can.
Here’s a Hug
When I was kid, a hug from my mom could melt the weight of the world off my shoulders. These days, since she doesn’t live nearby, I’ll pick up my almost-5-year-old for a snuggle when I’m feeling down. It’s not that he’s holding me as my mom would, but the person-to-person contact, the way I can hear his heartbeat and how he’ll still hold my hand. All of that grounds me in the moment. Hopefully you have someone to hug, too – find a kid, a spouse, a friend, a pet. If you’re alone, I’m also a fan of curling up in a ball and hugging my legs.
Sometimes we are so caught up in our own heads that we forget the truth about ourselves. Whether you’ve heard it or not today, I’ll tell you: You can do this! I’m not sure what you’re dealing with, and I can’t guarantee that things will work out perfectly for you, but just keeping on, pushing through is a victory in itself some days. So, go you!
