October is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to focus on your emotional well-being as a mother. In South Africa, 1 in 5 mothers experiences mental health challenges, often while juggling the demands of family life. Creating an emotional first-aid kit is a proactive way to take care of yourself and ensure you have the tools to manage stress, all while supporting your family.
Here’s how you can build your kit:
Grounding techniques
Include simple tools like a stress ball or fidget toy to help release tension. For a DIY option, try grounding exercises such as the 5-5-5 breathing technique (inhale for 5 seconds, hold for 5, and exhale for 5) or a body scan, where you move your focus through each part of your body, releasing tension as you go.
Emotional comfort
Keep a journal in your kit for jotting down thoughts and feelings. Include affirmation cards with phrases like “You are enough” or “This will pass” to remind yourself of your inner strength. Family photos can also offer a comforting reminder of your loved ones when stress builds up.
Coping tools for difficult moments
Create a soothing playlist, keep a comforting object like a blanket, and try progressive muscle relaxation where you tense and release muscles to release built-up stress.
Self-care reminders
Add a hydration reminder, such as a reusable water bottle, along with healthy snacks and a sleep mask to encourage rest and self-care when you need it most.
For the kids
Include a comfort toy or storybook about feelings for your children, helping them express their emotions. Art supplies like crayons or markers can also encourage creativity and emotional expression.
“Being a mom can be emotionally overwhelming at times. Simple grounding techniques, along with tools like Natura Rescue Tablets or Rescue Drops, can help manage emotional shock, grief and sleeplessness due to worry. These remedies offer natural support to help you regain calm during those difficult moments,” says Isabelle Dywili, licensed mental health counsellor.
By creating an emotional first-aid kit, you’re giving yourself and your family the tools to manage emotional challenges with care and resilience, making those tough days a little easier to navigate.
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