Lets face it . . . parenting can be rough. The days are long and it certainly takes a toll on our health and well-being. Parenthood is more of a journey than a quick race. I think we can all admit that there have been points of highs and lows in our mental health along the way–and that it’s not always easy to find ways to support our mental health.
Everyone’s view of self-care is going to look different. From prioritizing sleep, to weekly therapy sessions, to making time to hang out with friends–only you personally can know which ways will help fill your cup and allow you to be the best version of yourself.
Just as each person is different, so is every mom within our community. Take a look at all the ways we find self-care for ourselves to best support our mental health in the Detroit Mom community.
Here’s how our team supports their mental health:
Amanda
“I prioritize movement and meditation in my day. In the morning I usually do a 5-10 minute Peloton meditation and then find time to workout, either at the local YMCA (with childcare) or a walk outside. My husband and I also take turns doing mornings/bedtimes and check in regularly to see where we can help each other out to prevent parent burnout.”
Amber
“In addition to regular sessions with my therapist, I’m intentional about making time to do things that feed my spirit. Sometimes this includes making time to read a new book or go to a museum, other times it means making time for dinner with friends or seeing a new movie. Working out is also something I make time for to help my mental health. I adjust my schedule to ensure I can incorporate time to do the things that help me feel and operate at my best.”
Annie
“I participate in regularly scheduled therapy sessions with a trusted therapist that I have had for years. Some meetings are celebratory and some are deep and emotional. I always leave with a sense of relief, closure, and/or [an] action step. It is something I will forever do whether life is in its peak or valley state. It is an essential piece of my mental health wellness.”
Emily
“I say I’m overstimulated and need me-time. We both have learned to work with each other to make it happen. We each get at least one night a week to fill our cups, and that’s in addition to my 45 mins a day to do a workout!”
Elizabeth
“I’ve had to learn that I can take care of my mental health even when I can’t get away from my children or have totally quiet, peaceful me-time. Sometimes it looks like dealing with whining kids while we get outside because fresh air always helps my mood; sometimes it means dealing with their complaints when I listen to the music I like rather than what they want because I need a quick pick-me-up; and sometimes it means doing the hard work of enforcing the family rule that we all clean up after dinner because a clean house in the morning sets the right tone for my day. But it turns out these little moments throughout the day are just as invaluable as the bigger things like weekly yoga classes or date night with my spouse.”
Faten
“It took me a long time to learn to prioritize my mental health and take care of myself. One thing I do now that is very important to me is spending time alone! Whether it’s sitting in silence or going for a walk in nature, I usually feel much better after taking about fifteen to twenty minutes a day to myself! Some other things I do include journaling, finding a good support system, and setting boundaries, [which] all help prioritize my mental health!”
Fotini
“I wake up 30 minutes earlier and do a quick 20 minute workout. I have learned to say no, and set boundaries. My family comes first now.”
Franki
“I sit in front of The Today Show with my coffee for 10 minutes every morning. I see this time as sacred and work hard to protect it!”
Jennifer
“I aggressively prioritize things that bring me joy and improve my well-being. It takes a lot of planning and effort but it’s worth it!”
Karli
“My husband and I each get one night “off” a week, where we aren’t responsible for bedtime tasks. Having that one guaranteed night a week helps me stay regulated, and I have complete autonomy to choose what I do that night. Sometimes I’ll go browse a bookstore, meet a friend, take a bath–whatever I am feeling that day. I focus on spending my time getting out of the “motherhood” headspace, which is the source of a lot of my anxiety. My husband typically goes to the gym to workout or plays video games. We try to keep it the same night every week (like I take Mondays and he takes Thursdays) but depending on schedules and events it switches around.
Kate
“Honestly, it varies depending on what season of life we’re in. We have a newborn in the house, so life is turned upside down right now. But something I started during my pregnancy that I’ve kept up with pretty much every day is a hot shower ritual. It’s the time where I do my deep breathing and listen to my favorite podcast. And I do a skincare routine after. It’s simple, but it’s been incredibly healing. I find time in the evening when my husband can be with our kids and I prioritize it.”
Katie
“I take medication unapologetically. I love taking epsom salt baths before bed to help unwind the mind and body for a good night’s sleep.”
Kelly
“My husband and I take turns waking up early with the kids on the weekends. We each take one day. It’s nice to just sleep in, wake up slowly, get myself prepared for the day ahead without all the chaos.
Lauren
“Prioritizing sleep has always been a non-negotiable for myself and my children in order to help my self-care and well-being. I have instilled clear guidelines on bedtimes and wake times which in turn allows for everyone to have adequate amounts of sleep, and it also allows myself an hour in the morning to shower and listen to a podcast before the kids wake up and an hour after bedtime routine to wind down with a shower, a night time tea, and a good book.”
Natasha
“I make sure I take some time before bed to journal and do some reading. I journal on anything I can celebrate from the day and what my focus is for tomorrow. For reading I alternate between personal development books and fun reads depending on my mood.”
Molly
“I ask for it. We are not married to mind readers, so actually saying that I am ‘mommed out’ works for the family members that support me. I may only need an hour however, everyone knows that it ALWAYS makes a difference, so they actually listen when I voice my need.”
Rachel
“I put my mental health first by giving myself grace, always. I quiet the noise around me by clearing my mental clutter. That clearing includes eliminating negative self-talk and simplifying everything I possibly can–reduce physical clutter, delegate, eliminate, or move anything on my to-do list that is not a priority. Additionally, I set realistic expectations of my time and energy and make sure they are my expectations and not someone else’s! Last but not least, I go to sleep and wake up at the same time as often as possible. This regulation of sleep has been the biggest game-changer!”
Rana
“I do a few things: I try and schedule time for myself monthly—for whatever it is I want to do for just me. I wake up earlier than my kids to have quiet time alone daily. And, [I] journal at night before bed to help clear my mind. I outsource when I can such as cleaning, babysitting, and groceries. Most importantly, when I get too busy to make time for me, I remind myself I’m just as important as the family I’m taking care of, and without my mental health being a priority, their mental health might also suffer in a domino effect.”
We know it can be difficult to carve out time for yourself on top of everything else you do on a daily basis. But it is so incredibly important to do so. We hope that we shared a few practical ways to support your mental health that you can incorporate into your day. We are here for you!
