Being a mum is the best. It’s so rewarding, there’s nothing better than watching your little ones grow and thrive. But we all know that it’s stressful too, and as mothers there’s a huge amount of pressure on us to get things right every single day. From making sure our kids have enough mental stimulation, to making sure we’re teaching them new things, eating the right foods, keeping them clean, making sure their clothes are replaced when they’re outgrown and going to bed on time. Not to mention a million other things, tasks, chores, jobs and errands so that our kids and family are ticking over and that everyone has what they need. So it’s no wonder that stress can creep in, and we all have our little ways of coping and getting through that make us feel that bit better. The problem is that sometimes these things can actually be doing more harm than good, and be making us feel more stressed in the long run, even if they’re relaxing in the moment. Here are some examples.
Endless Scrolling on Your Phone
We’ve all been there- mindlessly scrolling through social media or our news feeds for hours at a time to unwind. When the kids go to bed, sometimes it can feel like the only energy you have is to sit and scroll, even getting into a movie or tv series can feel too much. But while it may seem like a harmless way to relax, constant phone use has been shown to contribute to stress. The flood of information, comparison, and sometimes negative news can overwhelm your mind. Instead, try setting specific times for phone use, and consider replacing some screen time with a good book, a walk, or a chat with a friend.
Relying on Smoking or Drinking
Many people turn to cigarettes or alcohol as a way to cope with stress. However, these substances can worsen stress in the long run even if they give some temporary relief. Smoking and excessive drinking have negative health effects, both physically and mentally. Consider cutting right back or even quitting both of these things if you can, you can always ask your GP for help. When it comes to smoking, alternative products like vaping or even tobacco pouches can be options for weaning yourself off, check out this Skruf product review for more info on how these work.
Comfort Eating
Another thing that feels good at the time but not so great after is comfort eating. While you should enjoy your food and definitely allow yourself some treats, regularly binging when the kids go to bed as a way of letting off steam isnt going to end well. Chances are you’ll gain weight, feel bad about yourself and even cause yourself health issues in the long term. Portioning out your snacks is a good idea so you can have a bit of what you want without going crazy. Or you could come up with slightly healthier treat ideas to enjoy at night. Sugar free jelly with some fruit and a bit of whipped cream for example would give you something to chomp through without tons of calories.
Burning the Midnight Oil
Staying up late to catch up on chores, work, or even binge-watch your favorite shows might seem like a good idea. Even just staying up to have some time for ‘you’ without the demands of motherhood is all too tempting- however, sacrificing sleep is a fast track to stressville. Lack of sleep impairs your ability to handle stress and can lead to a vicious cycle of fatigue and heightened anxiety.
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