Take a deep breath. Count to four. Release. Take a deep breath. Count to 4. Release. Focus on one thing you can see, one thing you can hear, and one thing you can touch.
I am a Mom who struggles with an Anxiety Disorder. Bringing yourself down from a panic/anxiety attack is not easy. Sometimes it is even harder with kids if you have an unruly toddler screaming at you or siblings that are fighting. But most of the time my kids are a gentle reminder to focus on the moment and to be kind to myself.
Here are the ways my kids keep me sane:
1.Reminding me to eat.
When i am struggling with anxiety/depression/panic attacks it’s easy to lose my appetite or just plain forget to eat. My kids do NOT forget that it is breakfast/lunch/dinner/snack time and when they eat I try to eat as well.
2. Helping me sleep.
Let’s face it raising kids is EXHAUSTING! I have had times in my life where it was hard to fall asleep/stay asleep and I would sometimes wake up at 3am and not be able to go back to sleep. Keeping up with my kids has made it much easier to fall asleep and stay asleep (as long as THEY stay asleep that is 😉 ) which is so important for mental health!
3.Grounding me.
My kids seem to know when my Anxiety is overwhelming me and they flock to me to wrap me in a giant hug. This reminds me what is important in my life. Nothing feels better than snuggling with my babies when I am down. Also they giggle a lot. And it is infectious. Laughter is so healing and brings me right back to feeling like myself.
4. Help me focus on the moment.
It’s easy for me to get lost in worry about future events and “What if’s” . Painting and coloring with my kids, building blocks and putting together train tracks helps to bring myself back to the here and now.
5.Providing lots of opportunities to exercise.
Chasing a toddler around is actually amazing exercise! So are dance parties in the kitchen, walks to the park, and piggy back rides. Exercise is proven to help Anxiety so I get as much as possible!
There ARE things about having kids around that do NOT help Anxiety like having a messy house, dealing with impromptu doctor appointments and sick kids, or when your baby/child is the reason you are not getting enough sleep. Overall though I believe my kids push me to be the healthiest I can be.
Photos taken by Sara Lynn Photography
