MINDFULNESS: THE SECRET WEAPON AGAINST STRESS

Dr. Elif Çelebi, an experienced psychotherapist at Thrive Wellbeing Centre, discusses how mindfulness can alleviate stress and anxious thoughts, helping mothers to find balance.

- Dr. Elif Çelebi

Being a mother is hard work! It's one of the most demanding jobs on the planet and there are no days off, which may leave you (understandably!) feeling under pressure at times. Anxiety is a common experience that many people face in their daily lives, and mums are not exempt. Whether it's due to work pressures, balancing parenthood with relationships, or simply the fact that mothers often put themselves last, anxiety and stress sometimes build up and become tough to manage. These feelings can impact everyday life in various ways. They affect your concentration, decision-making abilities and productivity, as well as manifesting into physical symptoms like headaches, stomach aches and a general sense of tiredness. As a mother, it's easy to overlook your needs in favour of your little ones, but easing your stress and burn-out isn't selfish. In fact, it can really impact and improve how you are able to show up for everyone in your life - yourself, your partner and friends, and of course, your children!

WHAT IS MINDFULNESS 

One effective way to manage anxiety or stress is by incorporating mindfulness habits and tools into your daily routine. Mindfulness involves focusing attention on the present moment and accepting thoughts and emotions without judgement. This practice has gained popularity lately as a way to cope with anxiety and promote mental wellbeing. Mindfulness can help us become more centred, calm and better equipped to handle stressful situations, by focusing on the current moment and cultivating awareness of our own thoughts and feelings.