How to Cope with Feelings of ‘Mom Guilt’

CLEVELAND – If you’ve ever had feelings of mom guilt, you’re not alone.

Melissa Young, MD, functional medicine specialist with Cleveland Clinic, said a lot of women can relate, especially when they decide to take some time for themselves.

“I think it’s the pressure coming from all sides,” Dr. Young said. “The work responsibilities, things need to get done at home, the shopping, the cooking, the laundry, and obviously children require a lot of attention.”

Dr. Young said while it’s natural to feel guilty, that shouldn’t stop you from taking time for yourself.

Self-care is important for your mental and physical health.

It gives you the chance to relax and focus on your own needs.

Doctor young suggests imagining an “energy bank” – you can’t always make withdrawals, you have to make deposits too.

And it doesn’t have to be anything major.

You could do something simple like meditate, go for a walk, take a nice long bath, or spend time with friends.

“Selfcare is really not a luxury, it is a necessity. Because at some point when we are under all of this chronic stress and feeling guilty about wanting time for yourself, being is a chronic sympathetic fight or flight dominant state, this can lead to increased risk of health issues,” said Dr. Young. “Our blood pressure can go up leading to hypertension, and it can actually increase risk for anxiety and depression.”

Dr. Young said if you notice your stress or anxiety is getting more frequent, or more severe, you should speak with your primary care provider.