I'm a Mom With Anxiety: Here is How I Manage

As a mom who lives every day with anxiety, it’s no easy task. The constant intrusive thoughts can be exhausting. Plus, functioning alone can be another huge challenge. Yet, you can’t quit because that’s never an option. 

You still need to provide basic care for your kids even when it feels overwhelming to meet their needs. 

While anxiety can be troublesome to your daily routine, there are various ways to cope, helping you get through your day. Managing stress takes practice. Yet, once you learn a few coping strategies, you’ll be well on your way to co-existing with it.

Here are the best ways to manage your anxiety.

Anxiety causes both physical and emotional symptoms. Part of it is natural since our sympathetic nervous system sends us signals to the brain when sensing danger. In response, your body goes into “fight or flight” mode, triggering your symptoms of anxiety.

Yet, when you perceive those intrusive thoughts, the best way to cope is to fight through them. Admit that you’re anxious and keep going to help you realize there isn’t any real danger.

So rather than avoiding certain activities, expect you’ll feel anxious but go through the motions to help fight your symptoms.

The first suggestion isn’t the easiest way. Often, you may require professional help to treat your anxiety disorder. 

You may want to start by talking to your family doctor about your symptoms. They can provide you with immediate treatment. However, they can also recommend a good therapist to help you control your disorder.

Many doctors recommend CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) — an effective psychological treatment for people with mental disorders. 

CBT typically involves one learning to recognize thinking patterns and using strategies to change them. Many studies have shown that CBT treatment can improve your quality of life and help you find relief.

Anxiety and sleep problems can correlate to each other. On the one hand, fears and excessive worries make it harder to fall and stay asleep. On the other hand, sleep deprivation increases anxiety, spurring a negative cycle of insomnia and anxiety disorders.

Meanwhile, insufficient sleep can harm your overall health. Therefore, it’s fundamental to your physical and emotional wellness. 

Good sleep habits are a must-have, and the best ways to make bedtime less excruciating include:

These are some of the ways to help you sleep through the night. However, various apps for sleep like Headspace or Slumber can help you improve your sleep habits. 

Self-care is crucial even when you feel like you don’t have the time. However, it’s important to make time for yourself. For example, you can try to fit 15-20 minutes of exercise into your daily routine.

Exercise can make a significant impact on those who have anxiety and depression. Plus, it helps you to retrain your brain, recognizing that a racing heart isn’t associated with danger. It acknowledges that you’re being active.

Cardio is especially beneficial for elevating your mood. Once you get your heart pumping, you’ll notice how great you feel after a good session. 

One of the most troubling things about anxiety is making an effort to get out of the house – especially with kids.

You have to make sure everyone gets ready, packs snacks and that they’ve all had potty breaks. Sometimes it can feel too overwhelming.

Yet, a practical strategy is to get yourself and the kids ready in the mornings. Ensure you have a diaper bag packed and healthy snacks for on the go. Once you get out the door, fresh air will do everyone good.

Plus, it doesn’t hurt to soak up some vitamin D while you’re outside.

Routines may not be for everyone. However, some may easily manage their anxiety when they know what’s coming next. 

If uncertainty triggers you, establishing a routine may be a good coping mechanism.

Of course, nothing goes according to plan when you have little ones. But that doesn’t mean you need to stay on task with everything.

Many moms with anxiety have trouble making smaller decisions – such as knowing what order to do things or what time they should try to put their baby down for a nap. However, one thing that helps is reducing the amount of those small decisions to make things easier.

That’s why having a consistent routine helps. These enable you to have fewer decisions to make and may reduce opportunities for your anxiety to invade.

Anxiety alone is challenging enough. Yet when you put kids into the mix, it can be even tougher. Implementing the tips from above will help you cope daily.

But remember, anxiety doesn’t go away in a day. You have to make a consistent effort to recreate better thought habits. So ensure you have patience. That way, you can create a better way of living for yourself.