What Are You Worried About?

Motherhood brings about a multitude of worries. From the moment you learn that you are pregnant you are worried about your diet, you're worried about the health of the baby, you’re worried about the birthing process, you're worried about being a good mom. One of the most stressful portions of my pregnancy is when I was instructed to keep track of the baby’s kick counts. You have to count how many times the baby kicks within an hour. If the baby doesn’t kick a certain amount within the hour, there could be cause for concern. Could you imagine each night until birth, stressing about getting those ten kicks? Then if the baby doesn’t kick enough, the possibility of them being sick or in distress? The stress!

Then that sweet baby arrives and your mind goes into overload with all the stresses of keeping them alive, healthy and happy. Are they eating enough? Why aren’t they sleeping? Are they breathing (this is me checking my newborn constantly)? Are they too hot? Are they too cold? It’s a lot! It doesn’t get easier as they get older. As a result, anxiety sets in and we are in a constant state of worry.

As moms, we are naturally nurturers. We are designed to recognize the needs of our children and care for them to the best of our abilities. It can be frustrating when needs arise and we don’t know what to do or we feel inadequate to take care of those needs. Maybe your children need clothes and that is a financial burden for you, maybe your child is sick and there is no cure, maybe your child is being mistreated at school and you feel helpless in protecting them, or maybe your child is not sleeping through the night and it’s causing you to become anxious. Whatever your specific circumstance may be, let's talk about strategies to relieve and lessen anxiety.

Move

I don’t mean move away or run from your circumstance (unless you're in a harmful situation). I mean literally get up and move your body. Mommas, I know we are all tired and busy but it is a proven fact that when we get our blood flowing and we exercise consistently, we feel better! You don’t need to do anything strenuous but get into the sun and fresh air and move your body.

This has been a challenge for me to remember to do during times of worry, but when I push myself to get up, I’m always grateful that I did! When you exercise you feel better and when you feel better sometimes your perspective on a situation can change resulting in lowering your anxiety.

Diet

What are you eating? If you’re anything like me, when anxiety seeps in, the desire for hamburger and fries grows. Have you recognized that when you're stressed out, you gravitate towards your favorite comfort food? For most of us carrots and celery are not what we are reaching for! We are normally reaching for the sweets and the carbs, something to make us feel “happy”.

I know I’m not telling you anything new. Once we have eaten multiple cartons of ice cream, ate our way through a few bags of chips and a package of cookies, what do we have? A few extra pounds and a heart that is still anxious. Food will make you feel good for a moment but try not to create a bad habit such as emotional eating during these times and focus on a healthier alternative.

Journal

Write it down. Your feelings are valid and worth working through, but sometimes you're not always able to understand them until you see them written down. Write out exactly what you're feeling and what is causing you to feel this way. This may be your way of articulating everything that is bothering you and it can be very therapeutic. Writing is a calming, activity if you give yourself a moment to do it. Be thorough, direct and honest.

Talk

Grab your spouse or a good friend and walk through what is troubling you. If it’s the woes of life, decisions to make on behalf of your children or just motherhood in general, talking it out can be helpful. Sometimes the perspective or advice from a person who is walking through it with you or has been there before is helpful and can help lower your anxiety.

Pray

The Bible tells us to “Cast your burden on the Lord, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.” (Psalm 55:22). We tend to run to everyone when worries arise. What if we ran to Jesus first? He wants you to tell him all about your troubles. He is the only one who knows you perfectly, the only one who knows what you truly need and the only one who can help you entirely. You may be in a circumstance for a while but the Lord will give you all that you need to see it through, with perfect peace, if you trust Him.

Encouragement

Becoming a mother instantly causes us to become aware of another person's needs and desires. Yet we do not have to let it consume us. There will be times of heartache, pain and deep concern but remember to “be anxious for nothing”. Control what you can control and leave the rest in God’s hands. As always momma’s, You Got This!

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