Congratulations, you have survived the holiday season. You are ready to tackle the new year and hit the ground running. You may be feeling exhausted and overwhelmed with little thoughts about your mental health as a mom.
As a mom, you can be in constant survival mode with keeping up with work, household chores, and kid obligations and commitments. You wake up in the morning only to realize that at bedtime, you have had zero time for yourself. The end of the year may be a great time for you to make a change and prioritize your mental health as a mom.
Moms need a break, too, and that’s okay! Moms get sick. Moms get exhausted. Moms get tired. Moms have played the position of supermoms for so long that we have conditioned ourselves with mom guilt if we miss an activity, get sick, or cannot fulfill a commitment.
Unfortunately, there is no quick fix to reverse the supermom syndrome, but we can start with small steps that help you create a safe mental space and relieve stress to prevent burnout.
Here are six ways to prioritize your wellness as a mom in the new year.
1. Focus on your Mental Health
Love yourself first. Remember that you only have one body temple, and if it fails, you are not only no good to your little ones, but you are no good to anyone else, including yourself. You must release the pressure of being on the supermom hamster wheel and jump off long enough to take care of yourself. Schedule daily ‘me time’ by taking a walk, journaling, eating lunch in the park, or listening to your favorite tunes can help make a difference in your mental health.
2. Establish Realistic Motherhood Goals
Social media has given us glossy eyes for the past ten years, so try to ignore it. Everything you see is not what you get on Instagram or Tic Tock reels. The photo or 30-second video you are seeing is just that. There is a life happening behind the content. Don’t push yourself to be perfect or have this glamorized idea of what motherhood should look like.
Realistic motherhood goals aren’t showing up to drop-offs with full glam, heels, and dressed to impress. You will probably be in pajamas or sweatpants often, and that’s okay. Be mindful of the expectations that you are setting for yourself as a mother, and if you feel it’s overwhelming, don’t be afraid to change them to align with your current needs.
3. Get Motherhood Organized
One of the best ways to prioritize your wellness in the new year as a mom is to get organized. Tackle as much as you can over the weekends to prepare for the week. Create a weekly schedule for the upcoming activities and have a family meeting to ensure everyone is on board. Preparing clothes for the week. Meal prepping for the week or creating the dinner menu in advance. Preorder groceries and other essential items to be delivered on the day you need them. All these things will save you countless hours during crunch time in the week.
4. Outside of Being a Mom
You were a person before becoming a mom. Remember who that person was. What did you enjoy doing? Maybe you enjoyed spending time with friends, traveling, shopping, attending events or book clubs. When kids come, they can deter you from who you are behind the face of being a mom. You are more than just a mom – you are an amazing individual. Find time to be in your own zone to return to doing what YOU enjoy.
5. Say No to People and Commitments
Moms are commonly known for doing it all and wearing all hats. We overwhelm ourselves by tackling way more than we should. Yes, honey, I’ll drive you to soccer after school today and host a slumber party this weekend while we take your little brother to swimming classes and pizza afterward. When our brains are in mom mode, it feels like there is no off mode; we are full speed ahead with no break in sight.
Saying no must become a normalized standard to secure healthy mental health as moms. Initially, the NO boundary won’t go over smoothly because kids can be persistent and keep asking. Give yourself practice by trying this exercise throughout the day until you feel good about saying No.
6. Mom Support Groups
Struggling in silence is hard to admit to ourselves. You may feel on days that the ship is sinking, and you can’t stop it. You are not alone! As moms, we pride ourselves on being super moms and doing it all without complaining, but the truth is we need help, even if that help is simply to vent.
Finding a safe community group is an excellent way to unburden the mental stress of motherhood. Share your pain, struggles, and fears with other women experiencing the same paths. Having someone to talk to and confide in can do wonders for your mental health as a mom. Emotional support is a great way to cope with the many layers and facets of motherhood in the new year.
What are your tips for prioritizing wellness in the new year? Comment below!
Missy Bonet is a guest contributor for Westchester County Mom. She is a business owner and founder of A Curvy Mom, a lifestyle and wellness blog. Missy is a resident of New Rochelle with her three children and is passionate about women’s empowerment, wellness, and positive thinking.
