Are you an overstimulated mom? Becoming a mom brings a lot of things that can affect your emotional balance. It can be easy to blame hormones for your sensitivity, but the reality is, there will be a lot coming at you for years to come. It’s part of parenting, and you can’t eliminate everything that is causing the overstimulation. But there are some things you can do that will help you manage everything in your very full life and deal with overstimulation.
What is overstimulation?|What is overstimulation?
How to deal with overstimulation|How to deal with overstimulation
Dealing with overstimulation requires that you tune in to what is triggering you and try to take a different approach to things. At first, this may seem like you’re just adding another task to the list, but it is necessary to understand the situation and address it logically, not emotionally. Here are three ways to cope with, and find relief from, overstimulation:
1. Don't compare yourself to other parents
While it may appear that they have it all together, chances are that others around you are struggling to get it all done as well. Some may even have more help than you do. Avoid trying to keep up with other moms. Know what you can do and prioritize the things that you need to get done. What’s important to you should guide you in developing boundaries.
2. Reduce stimulation with self-care
On top of finding a routine that takes some of the stress off of you and works better for your situation, look for something that helps calm you down. This might be doing yoga or meditating while the baby naps. You may be trying to nap yourself or run around getting things done during this time, but you can be more effective if you can quiet your mind and collect yourself. You might take up a new hobby like painting or even grabbing a coloring book for adults. This helps focus the mind and gives you something relaxing to do.
3. Don't hesitate to seek professional help
If you can’t seem to get any relief, consider seeking professional help from a licensed therapist. They can talk you through your overstimulation to help you identify your priorities and make the positive changes in your life that you desire.
"I know you may feel that you have no time, and that it’s just too damn hard, but your mental health matters," mom Wendy Wisner wrote for Mom.com about her successful experience with online therapy. "You can’t be the parent you want to be for your kids if you are falling apart yourself."
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Dealing with overstimulation requires that you tune in to what is triggering you and try to take a different approach to things. At first, this may seem like you’re just adding another task to the list, but it is necessary to understand the situation and address it logically, not emotionally. Here are three ways to cope with, and find relief from, overstimulation:
1. Don't compare yourself to other parents
While it may appear that they have it all together, chances are that others around you are struggling to get it all done as well. Some may even have more help than you do. Avoid trying to keep up with other moms. Know what you can do and prioritize the things that you need to get done. What’s important to you should guide you in developing boundaries.
2. Reduce stimulation with self-care
On top of finding a routine that takes some of the stress off of you and works better for your situation, look for something that helps calm you down. This might be doing yoga or meditating while the baby naps. You may be trying to nap yourself or run around getting things done during this time, but you can be more effective if you can quiet your mind and collect yourself. You might take up a new hobby like painting or even grabbing a coloring book for adults. This helps focus the mind and gives you something relaxing to do.
3. Don't hesitate to seek professional help
If you can’t seem to get any relief, consider seeking professional help from a licensed therapist. They can talk you through your overstimulation to help you identify your priorities and make the positive changes in your life that you desire.
"I know you may feel that you have no time, and that it’s just too damn hard, but your mental health matters," mom Wendy Wisner wrote for Mom.com about her successful experience with online therapy. "You can’t be the parent you want to be for your kids if you are falling apart yourself."
