by Becky Thomson
Anxiety is a daily thing for most of us moms. The worries and fears we have for our families and our children can be very normal. We have this natural instinct to protect our babies so anxiety can actually be a GOOD thing in small doses, BUT, there are times that anxiety that can numb a mom. It may be temporary or it may be a long-term situation but it’s a very real feeling that can cause sleepless nights, aches and pains and feelings of hopelessness. Our February 2016 session on anxiety was heartwarming and consoling.
I sat next to four women in the discussion portion of the gathering and ALL four of us had dealt with anxiety to the point where either medical treatment was sought or would have been helpful. And these were just the four moms at MY table! For those who think you may be alone in suffering from anxiety, you are NOT ALONE. I could see the emotions on faces throughout the room and will make a fair assumption that hardly any of us are left untouched by anxiety. So many in the room experienced major symptoms of anxiety including panic attacks that can leave us feeling not only incapable, but, a perception of being “not normal” because it appears everyone else has it all together. There was also discussion of not being able to share these times when we go through them because of our sheer will as moms to want to handle everything on our own and to be the rock for our families.
Two moms shared their testimonies about anxiety in the company of about twenty-five women. One presenter has had life-long experiences with anxiety and the other had a brief season of anxiety. We are so thankful they opened their hearts to us. Here is some advice our presenters gave after their talks:
- Realize that if you struggle with anxiety on a daily level that is affecting your ability to sleep, eat well or maintain your emotions; seek medical attention and not be ashamed or scared to do so.
- Surround yourself with great women by joining a bible study, a women’s/moms group. Make friends with them.
- Read Scripture often and be reminded of Christ’s presence in your life.
- Clean your house at least once a week. Take that “day” to make your home a priority. Or find your own way to create “peace” in your home to lessen that feeling of anxiety around you.
- Find joy in the little things of your life and give thanks to God for all he has given you.
- Understand that anxiety and depression are real and that it’s not your mind playing tricks on you.
- Find someone who will listen. Even if the problem seems small in your mind; find someone to share your anxieties with. Understand that it’s okay to go beyond yourself for help.
- Consider imaginative prayer. One mom gave an example where she delved into scripture and saw imagery of Christ holding her hand and Mary with her arms wrapped around her and her head leaning on her shoulder. There is a great description of imaginative prayer in this article: http://priestlyformation.org/resources/fr.-mark-toups/nativity.html
- Christ is the greatest healer and he will provide you with the resources if you talk with him and seek consolation and his mercy. (SPEAKING OF MERCY, IN MARCH OUR TALK WILL BE ABOUT "DIVINE MERCY FOR MOMS".)
- One of our presenters also had some "Self-Talk" strategies for overcoming ANXIETY. (See the photo insert at left.)
- There are also lots of web sites out there to help! Seek words like: anxiety in women, depression in women, catholic/mom/anxiety ... many great resources.
We hope you enjoyed the topic of anxiety in moms. It is powerful to share our own testimonies in this area and to know that through Christian Moms, we have a great group of women who are on the ready to listen and share.
Anxiety is a daily thing for most of us moms. The worries and fears we have for our families and our children can be very normal. We have this natural instinct to protect our babies so anxiety can actually be a GOOD thing in small doses, BUT, there are times that anxiety that can numb a mom. It may be temporary or it may be a long-term situation but it’s a very real feeling that can cause sleepless nights, aches and pains and feelings of hopelessness. Our February 2016 session on anxiety was heartwarming and consoling.
I sat next to four women in the discussion portion of the gathering and ALL four of us had dealt with anxiety to the point where either medical treatment was sought or would have been helpful. And these were just the four moms at MY table! For those who think you may be alone in suffering from anxiety, you are NOT ALONE. I could see the emotions on faces throughout the room and will make a fair assumption that hardly any of us are left untouched by anxiety. So many in the room experienced major symptoms of anxiety including panic attacks that can leave us feeling not only incapable, but, a perception of being “not normal” because it appears everyone else has it all together. There was also discussion of not being able to share these times when we go through them because of our sheer will as moms to want to handle everything on our own and to be the rock for our families.
Two moms shared their testimonies about anxiety in the company of about twenty-five women. One presenter has had life-long experiences with anxiety and the other had a brief season of anxiety. We are so thankful they opened their hearts to us. Here is some advice our presenters gave after their talks:
- Realize that if you struggle with anxiety on a daily level that is affecting your ability to sleep, eat well or maintain your emotions; seek medical attention and not be ashamed or scared to do so.
- Surround yourself with great women by joining a bible study, a women’s/moms group. Make friends with them.
- Read Scripture often and be reminded of Christ’s presence in your life.
- Clean your house at least once a week. Take that “day” to make your home a priority. Or find your own way to create “peace” in your home to lessen that feeling of anxiety around you.
- Find joy in the little things of your life and give thanks to God for all he has given you.
- Understand that anxiety and depression are real and that it’s not your mind playing tricks on you.
- Find someone who will listen. Even if the problem seems small in your mind; find someone to share your anxieties with. Understand that it’s okay to go beyond yourself for help.
- Consider imaginative prayer. One mom gave an example where she delved into scripture and saw imagery of Christ holding her hand and Mary with her arms wrapped around her and her head leaning on her shoulder. There is a great description of imaginative prayer in this article: http://priestlyformation.org/resources/fr.-mark-toups/nativity.html
- Christ is the greatest healer and he will provide you with the resources if you talk with him and seek consolation and his mercy. (SPEAKING OF MERCY, IN MARCH OUR TALK WILL BE ABOUT "DIVINE MERCY FOR MOMS".)
- One of our presenters also had some "Self-Talk" strategies for overcoming ANXIETY. (See the photo insert at left.)
- There are also lots of web sites out there to help! Seek words like: anxiety in women, depression in women, catholic/mom/anxiety ... many great resources.
We hope you enjoyed the topic of anxiety in moms. It is powerful to share our own testimonies in this area and to know that through Christian Moms, we have a great group of women who are on the ready to listen and share.