Mom Mood: ANXIOUS
See also: spiraling, hijacked by worry gremlins
If your anxiety is spiraling out of control right now and you need an assist, you’re in the right place.
First, put your feet on the ground and take a deep breath. Seriously.
Good. Now take another one.
Anxiety is awful, and when you're a parent, there's no shortage of things to worry about. But the worst part? Not only are you battling the what-ifs and racing thoughts, but you’re also spiraling while trying to be present for your children.
It’s too much. We get it. Here’s the secret, though: You are not your anxiety, and it doesn’t have to rule your day. Try to imagine your anxiety as a little monkey who likes to follow you around. It might ride with you to school pick-up, but you’re driving the car. You’ve got this.
And if you need a little extra support (and who doesn’t?), here are some resources that can help.
If you feel anxious more often than not, though, check yourself. It’s okay to seek support if you need it. Help from a partner, family, friend, or medical professional is there when you’re ready.
💜 KNOW THIS
“Anxiety often comes from feeling like things are out of control, but you have more power than you think. Start by identifying what’s really making you anxious. Is it the endless to-do list? A tough moment with your child? Work pressures creeping into your home life? Write it down. Sometimes just seeing it on paper makes it feel more manageable.
“Next, let yourself release the tension. A good cry. A nap. A shower. All of these can work wonders. Sometimes, small resets help more than we realize.”
— Dr. Diana E. Ramos, California Surgeon General
💜 TRY THIS
Take five minutes to burn off some steam. You can do anything that works for you, from screaming in your car to shaking out your hands. The goal is to get rid of that extra energy so you can feel more centered.
💜 LISTEN TO THIS
This free session with Yuliya Patsay can guide you whether you’re a mom or the “default parent,” raising toddlers or teens. This session provides practical tools and insights to help you ride the waves and savor the wins of parenting.
*”It’s Time to Worry” was originally created for Calm Health as part of the Support for Mothers & Caregivers program, in collaboration with psychologist Dr. Juli Fraga. Calm Health is an evidence-based mental health app for payers, providers and employers; this exclusive content has been made available to you to celebrate and support all moms. Please note this content isn’t available in the Calm app.
For more support, download Calm to listen to the additional two sessions below.
A grounding meditation to ease panic and anxiety. .
11 tools to reclaim your calm, address acute anxiety and chronic stress, and build confidence for life.
💜 READ THIS
Yes, motherhood anxiety is totally normal. Here's how to cope
Are you a nervous mom? You're not alone. Motherhood is hard and anxiety often comes with the territory. Explore the symptoms, causes, and 10 tips to help you cope.
Why is anxiety more common in women? Plus, 8 tips to cope
Learn why women are twice as likely to experience anxiety as men. Plus, 8 mindful coping strategies to reduce women's anxiety and boost mental health.
Yes, separation anxiety happens to moms too. These 7 tips can help
Leaving your baby—even if it’s for a fun night out—isn't always so simple. Explore what maternal separation anxiety looks like, why it happens, and get tips to feel better.
10 symptoms of anxiety (and how to mindfully treat them)
Pit in your stomach? Racing thoughts? Explore the most common symptoms of anxiety and how they can show up in your life. Plus, 9 mindful tips to help you cope.
18 grounding techniques to help relieve anxiety
When you're experiencing anxiety, grounding techniques can help. We share a mix of mental and physical grounding techniques to help ease anxiety in the moment.
Other Mom Moods
A mindful note on the focus on “moms”
Not Calm Moms focuses on maternal mental health because moms disproportionately carry the mental load—but that doesn’t mean we’re leaving others out.
While this initiative is designed for moms, Calm offers a range of resources that support all caregivers. Partners, co-parents, and support systems play a critical role, and we encourage everyone to be part of the conversation. And when we use the term "mom," we're addressing anyone who identifies as a mom.
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