For Moms: Prioritizing Your Mental Health
By: J.L. Rose
How often do moms prioritize mental health?
JAMA Internal Medicine recently published data that showed “a substantial decline in the self-reported mental health of mothers of US children from 2016 to 2023.”
Researchers found consistently worse health status among mothers compared to fathers, specifically for those identifying as having fair/poor mental health, which was reported by 1 in 12 moms compared to only 1 in 22 dads. Additionally, for moms, the “excellent mental health” category dropped from 38.4% to 25.8% over the 8-year study period.
In order for moms to better prioritize their mental health, The Ross Center, a mental health practice in Washington, D.C. and New York, suggests:
Taking breaks through out the day, whether to meditate, nap or recharge in another way.
Practicing mindfulness, even if just a few minutes a day. Storytime for Moms offers affirmations for moms facing different challenges, and they are each only about 10-minutes.
Prioritizing getting enough sleep.
Asking for help when you need it.
J.L. Rose, MA is a mom, communications expert and storyteller with more than 20 years of experience in journalism, strategic communications and education. She has been published by Scary Mommy, StepMom Magazine and more. She earned two Honorable Mentions in the Writer’s Digest Annual Writing Comeptition. She is creator of Storytime for Moms on YouTube, a grown-up storytelling channel for women who want to laugh, feel seen or escape for 10 minutes. The channel is dedicated to giving moms a well-deserved break for themselves in a space where moms support moms and it’s all about self-care.