Motherhood has never been easy, and we all need coping strategies to help us avoid being overwhelmed, anxious, and fatigued. Here are some ways you can take care of yourself so you can take care of others…
Parenting is a tiring job, but not one we can call out sick for or take a personal day from. So it’s important that we take care of ourselves so we can better take care of the little people who need us.
For a long time, I didn’t do this. Looking back, I felt a lot of guilt when I would do something just for me or prioritize myself over anyone else in the family.
But I also saw the results of this mindset. Not just the guilt, but the fatigue from doing too much, the resentment from feeling like no one care what I did or how hard I worked, and the anxiety that I would never do everything I needed to do.
It was overwhelming, and an overwhelmed mom is not a kind, patient, and loving mom.
I know how easy it is to fall into that guilt trap. But me time isn’t meant to be selfish. It’s meant to fill you back up so you can be your best self when your kids need you.
Maybe you’ve already started doing some things to help your physical and emotional wellbeing as a mom. Or maybe you have no idea where to start. Well, here are a few coping strategies that I found useful when dealing with overwhelm, fatigue, and stress as a mother. I hope they help you, too.
Coping Strategies for the Overwhelmed Mom
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Take breaks where you can
Whether you’re a homeschooling mama, one with a new baby, or trying to work from home through a pandemic, you will need breaks. You may think there’s just no chance, but look for small pockets of time where you can snatch a breather.
During nap time, while the kids play in the yard, or in between Zoom calls. Wherever you can find five minutes to just clear your mind and take a few deep breaths, do it. You will feel remarkably better with even this short break.
Check out this post for tips on breathing to relax.
Plan ahead
If you feel like the moment you open your eyes, the day goes from 0 to 60, then looking at your plan the night before will help.
Before you go to bed, spend a few minutes looking at your schedule or planner. Note what you need to do, where you need to go, and what order of things makes the most sense. Streamline your day, set up anything to help it go smoother, and then go to sleep knowing it will be easier because you planned ahead.
Check out this post for apps that help me be more productive with less effort and 10 atomic (small) habits that changed my life.
Pick up a low maintenance hobby
If you feel like your days are all about your family and you aren’t satisfying your own needs, then you’ll inevitably become stressed and resentful. Finding something that feeds your soul is important, so don’t let that piece of you get crushed beneath other responsibilities.
If you think you don’t have time for a hobby, find something low maintenance. Reading, gardening, knitting, and walking are all good options. Find something you can do anytime, can leave when you need to, and can even be done with the kids around.
Check out this post about balancing hobbies and family life.
Schedule Me time
When you really need a time out, schedule some Me time into the family calendar. I mean it, write it in there. Because otherwise, you’ll put it off in favor of other things that will not feed your soul.
When our kids get upset, we send them to a time-out, not as a punishment so much as a needed break from what’s upsetting them. Do the same for yourself. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, set a time to get your nails done, hike with a friend, or just curl up with a good book somewhere. You’ll feel more relaxed when you get back and it will show in your parenting, trust me.
Check out this post about why Me Time is so important for moms.
Give yourself grace when things don’t go your way
Inevitably, things will go wrong. You’ll forget the library books you needed for today’s lesson, the coffeemaker will overflow, and your husband will need to work a double. You’ll be overwhelmed, frustrated, and snappy with the kids. I know, I’ve been there.
But one of the best coping strategies when things get crazy is giving yourself grace. You’re only human and doing your best. Don’t compare yourself to others or feel guilty for how you feel. Just accept that things happen and you need to be flexible to change with them. Give yourself permission to make mistakes and move on.
Check out this post for encouragement when your day has been less than perfect.
Find joy in the small things
It’s hard to see any beauty or joy in the day when you’re feeling overwhelmed and anxious. So you may need to try a little harder to really see that life is good. It is joyful.
Is the sunrise beautiful today? Thank the crying baby who got you up to see it. Does your coffee wake you right up? Thank the helpful child who scooped a little too much grounds into the filter this morning. Are you meeting a lot of moms this year? Thank the teen who is involved in every sport under the sun.
Even the most stressful seasons of our life can be beautiful if we look for the lovely in each day. Whether you start a gratitude journal or just make a mental note, keeping your eyes open to joy will help you cope with stress.
Check out this post about finding joy in our everyday lives.
Take it one day at a time
Sometimes, planning too far ahead only makes us more anxious and overwhelmed. So slow down and take it one day, or one week, at a time. Focus on how you will handle today first. Giving yourself a smaller time frame to work with will make the task of parenting easier.
Focusing your energy on the present day or week is less overwhelming and will give you better results. The future changes all the time, so planning what you’ll do next year or next month can waste precious time and mental space when it may be for naught when things get moved around.
So take a breath and see what you can do today to make your day better while caring for yourself and your family.
Check out this post on prioritizing the present and quieting your inner overachiever.
Pray for peace
One of the most powerful coping strategies I have is prayer. When I’m overwhelmed and can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel, I know that praying will calm me and help me refocus my thoughts.
God is the wellspring of peace, so if you find yourself with none, go to the source. He should always be our first stop when we are anxious or stressed. Above all else, a moment of prayer will help you feel calmer and fuller than any other strategy listed here.
Check out this post about how simple prayer helps us cope with life’s difficulties.
I hope these coping strategies help you bring more peace and calm to your days, even when things are hectic and stressful. Being a mom isn’t easy, but taking care of yourself will help you better care for the people you love.
What strategies do you use to cope with overwhelm in your days? I’d love to hear about what has worked for you.
Here are some great reads that can help you when motherhood feels overwhelming:
Desperate: Hope for the Mom Who Needs to Breathe by Sally Clarkson and Sarah Mae
Teaching from Rest: A Homeschooler’s Guide to Unshakable Peace by Sarah Mackenzie
Organized Simplicity: The Clutter-Free Approach to Intentional Living by Tsh Oxenreider
For more posts that can help you on your motherhood journey, check out:
6 Meal Planning Strategies for the Non-Cook
How to Survive as an Introvert in a Large (and loud) Family
5 Freezable Breakfasts That Will De-stress Your Mornings
How to Take a Sabbath day… and Why
5 Ways to Relieve Stress Right Now
[Disclaimer: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a commission, at no additional cost to you. All opinions are my own and I never recommend anything I haven’t used myself and loved.]
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