Moms Who Get Massages Are Kinder, Happier and More Pleasant to be Around
The scientific community is finally paying attention to mommy burnout because it affects more and more mothers over the past few years. Burnout can occur when someone is physically, emotionally, and mentally exhausted because of excessive and prolonged stress.
Sometimes in life, all problems can hit moms at once. For example, one child is sick; the other acts up at school, while the mother fights with stress from work or a headache. Nevertheless, burnout can occur at any time while being under pressure. Mothers tend to make everyone happy, as they put all the responsibilities on their back. They constantly find themselves between feeling responsible for their children, their home or their work, because they are afraid to disappoint their family or colleagues.
Unfortunately, burnout doesn’t exclude fathers, as it can happen to them. Therefore, it is time to prevent it.
To satisfy everyone else around them, moms don’t have time for themselves. They are constantly cramming huge amounts of work every day. Yet, it is possible to find at least five minutes a day for self-care, or maybe one day a month. “Me time” can be of a huge benefit for their mental, emotional and physical health.
Genevieve Shaw Brown, a reporter for ABC News in New York and a mom of three claims: “You can’t just think, ‘Someday soon I’m going to take a day for myself. We have to prioritize the same as we would prioritize things for our kids. We’d never miss an appointment for our kids because they are important. Equally important is prioritizing yourself and your own needs.”
Some mothers claim that self-care is selfish, as they say, doing nothing causes them anxiety and stress. They constantly think of the valuable things they should be doing rather than relaxing. Their way of ‘self-care’ can be cleaning things around the house or buying stuff from the grocery store.
The director of the Women’s Mental Health Program at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, Aimee Danielson says: “The question I ask moms is, ‘If you were choosing a child-care provider, and you had a choice between someone who seemed stressed, tired, and overwhelmed versus someone who seemed rested, contented, happy and healthy, who would you want for your kids? If you can’t do it for yourself, do it for your kids.”
Mothers tend to become Super Mom, as they often forget that they are not the only parent -they have their husbands and father of their children. It doesn’t mean that self-care must be a bubble bath with champagne; it is more about balancing the responsibilities with the other parent they live with in order to have more free time for themselves.
No one would judge a mother if she is asking for help from her partner. Childcare should be split between parents. Both parents should ask for help if they need to and share the responsibilities. If one of them isn’t responding to the others’ needs than they have a serious issue that needs to be fixed immediately. Without addressing the issue, anything can go wrong.
No one said that raising a family is easy. It is filled with sleepless nights, especially for new parents. Self-care can be achieved with a routine including their partner, or a massage therapist, cafѐ, yoga class, or hair salon.
Self-care is all about activities or things that you can enjoy and maintain. It can bring you back happiness from being a parent. You can try the following examples, and see what will bring you joy. For example:
- Visit yoga classes
- Try meditation
- Shut down your devices
- Take a deep breath whenever there are a few moments
- Get a manicure or pedicure
- Start eating healthy
- Go for a walk
- Sit in the sun
- Call a friend
- Read a new book
- Listen to your favorite music
- Paint or color
- Ask for professional help
- Go to bed early
- Visit a museum
- Go on a date with the significant other
- Sing or write
- Massage
Each of these examples can benefit your health. But massage can have a huge impact on your body.
How can a massage be beneficial?
Massage is best known for stress reduction, relaxation, and pain relief. It can also boost the mood for anyone who deals with depression and anxiety. Massage is perfect for moms on burnout who struggle with their everyday obligations, stressful workplace, not enough sleep or unhealthy eating and drinking habits.
Postpartum depression can be a serious state, and here, massaging can help those struggling mothers. In addition, it can help ease pain, regulate hormones, reduce swelling, and also can improve breastfeeding. Advanced massage therapy can help the body heal and restore it to its pre-pregnancy state. If you are struggling with problems like this, try finding a massage therapist specialized for prenatal and perinatal, and postpartum women.
For anyone suffering from stress, anxiety, and depression, massage can be just the right treatment. It can trigger the parasympathetic nervous system to calm the body down. Massage can also improve the immune system, which decreases its activity while being under stress.
Patients, who are suffering from depression, asthma, back pain, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and stress, claim that massage helped them reduce anxiety symptoms. According to a study published in Depress Anxiety, they experienced reductions in anxiety after four months of the massage treatment period, and after 9 months, their improvements were still clear.
The effects of stress can be felt by anyone in a form of irritability, insomnia, poor eating habits, and panic attacks. It affects negatively on every aspect, and ignoring the symptoms will prolong these unhealthy reactions. Reliving the stress will make you happy and healthy. A good massage is a perfect way to relax and take care of your body and soul. It can fend off stress, and allow you to feel more alive. This way you can become a Super Mom.
Not everyone is keen on massage, especially if they decide is not their favorite thing to do when stressed. In order to find what it’s best for you, read the 12 different kinds of massage, and try to decide what is best for you.
- Swedish massage – relieves tension and knots and it is good for those are new to massage
- Hot stone massage – relieves muscle pain and tension
- Aromatherapy – good with emotional healing, boosting your mood along with relieving pain and tension
- Deep tissue massage – uses more pressure than a Swedish massage and it helps those with chronic muscle problems
- Sports massage – good for those prone to injuries, or if you deal with a repetitive use injury from a sport or other activity,
- Trigger point massage – suited for those prone to injuries, chronic pain, or specific issues or conditions
- Reflexology – makes you feel relaxed and restores natural energy levels
- Shiatsu massage – best for physical and emotion calm, relieves anxiety, and muscle tension
- Thai massage – involves a form of yogic stretching and can increase flexibility, circulation, and boost energy levels
- Prenatal massage – meant for women during pregnancy to decrease body aches, stress, and muscle tension
- Couple’s massage – any massage that can be done with a partner, friend, or family member
- Chair massage – a quick massage focused on neck, shoulders and back; good for beginners.
Mom’s burnout is preventable if you have a good self-care plan. It is okay to ask for help form family, friends, or professional help when need, and always know your strengths. Your actions and mood can affect everyone around you, especially your children. Therefore, try to enjoy activities that make you happy and stress relieved.
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