How to Make Time For Self-Care as a Mom

Is it really possible to keep up with both motherhood and self-care? We all understand on some level that we need to take care of ourselves, but the process of making the time for it is often neglected, especially by mothers and caretakers. I think we’ve all seen a mother push themselves to the absolute limit.

The experience of pregnancy, childbirth, and caretaking is often one of exhaustive sacrifice. Mothers are expected to give their everything, but afterwards, what’s left for them? We cannot pour from an empty cup, so how can a mom learn to take care of themselves and others at the same time?

“Self-care is not self-indulgence. It is self-preservation.” – Audre Lorde

Who Can Moms Turn To For Support?

Mothers (especially first-time moms) face serious psychological risks without the proper support. Even moms with otherwise strong systems of social support can struggle to get help as they have their first experiences with motherhood, perhaps when they need it the most. 

So who can our caretakers turn to when they themselves are in need of care?

• Your Partner. When you’re undergoing the journey of motherhood with a partner, that means you have a companion and confidant in parenthood. Communicating when you need help is a skill, and it might be one you need practice in, but being able to rely on your nesting partner can be a huge load off the shoulders and a deep unburdening of the heart. But there will also be times when our partners are busy with work, family, and their own experience of parenthood, so that’s why it’s important to have multiple lines of support. 
• Your Friends. It might feel like you don’t have time for your old friends in the fracas of early motherhood, but it can be far more important than we realize. Our friends offer us an outside point of support and perspective that is vital for our own wellbeing. But sometimes having friends and a partner for support still isn’t enough. That’s where your guide comes in.
• Your Therapist. Working with a therapist can be a powerful act of self-care, and it’s one that is especially important for mothers. It might seem counter productive to block out an hour of your already busy schedule to do sometimes-exhausting thoughtwork with a therapist, but when you factor in all the crying, arguing, and screaming that you stand to avoid, it will more than make up for your time investment. How many mothers have you seen suffer in unnecessary silence? How long do you deserve to wait before you get the help you need?

Therapy For Moms With Cigna Insurance

Integrative Counsel accepts patients with Cigna insurance, and we are happy to match you with a therapist that’s the right fit both psychologically and financially.

One of the most pressing issues that mothers face these days is money (or a lack thereof). After all, how much is therapy really going to help if it’s breaking your budget to afford it? Our team is open and transparent about which insurances we accept, and even if you’re not covered by us, we can help you find a therapist that is!

• Therapists Who Accept Cigna Insurance. There’s no reason that it should be so difficult to find a therapist who accepts your Cigna insurance. Wherever you are on your journey as a mother, we have a right-fit counselor who’s got you covered (and is covered by your insurance!)
• Counseling For People With United Insurance. Finding counseling that fits in your lifestyle can be quite the journey, but Integrative Counsel is here to help you at every step of the way. If you’re covered by United, we can match you with a right-fit counselor who’s covered by your plan.
• Therapists Who Accept Aetna Insurance. If you have health insurance from Aetna, you’re in the right place! Our team is covered by your insurance, and here to offer you guidance as you cope with the journey of motherhood.

How To Practice Self Love In Motherhood

“You’d think that never taking care of yourself would be the remedy for mom guilt, but it’s actually the opposite. You have to engage in regular self-care practices to be able to interface with the guilt and pressures that come up from being a mom. You are needed all the time by your child, but they’re hungry for the real you- not a shell of who you are. The things that make you special are the things that make you interesting. Those things are watered by taking time for yourself and your child deserves to see that version of their mom. This goes hand-in-hand with actually taking self-care during these times and not taking the superficial route of rotting in your bed or re-watching the same show (though that can be helpful in the right circumstance!). You need time in nature, time to talk with another adult who sees you for you, and time to do the things that let you up before you had your kid. My favorite self-care practices include having a meal with a best friend, going to yoga, or sitting quietly in the sun, just processing.” – Cassie Brooks, Creative Director of Integrative Counsel

• Mindful Eating. Avoiding distraction while we eat can be a trial of temptation. We all can feel that distracting tug from the glowing rectangle in our pockets, especially when it comes time to eat. Eating a mindful meal (especially with a friend at your side) can be a simple way to fill your cup both physically and psychologically. 
• Exercise (Like Yoga or Martial Arts). Exercise can often give us relief from our emotions when we don’t have the mental energy to work through them with our minds. Practices like yoga and martial arts give us a structured and often social opportunity to work through the feelings that are stuck in your body and begging to come out.
• Sitting Outdoors In A Peaceful Spot. The great thing about this one is that you can do it with your kids alongside you. Human beings are creatures who evolved in a symbiotic relationship with the sun. We existed for thousands of generations before we invented the concept of being inside. We were always meant to spend time outdoors, and your kids need it even more than you do.

Therapy For Moms In St. Petersburg

Integrative Counsel is a team of therapists who take pride in supporting moms through the journey and trials of motherhood. Postpartum depression, social isolation, and lack of support are all too common for mothers and caretakers of all experience levels. When you’re traveling through the dark passageways of change, it’s natural to seek a guide. 

Our therapists would love to be that guide for you.

• Lauren Mishkin, LMHC, Is A Trauma Counselor. Lauren Mishkin is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor who helps her patients with processing their past through their bodies, healing from trauma, and finding renewed hope in the future by accessing your body-informed wisdom. Lauren helps her clients let go of their attachments to the past, and become the type of mother who can take care of themselves and others at the same time.
• Quinn Smalley, LMHC, ATR , Is A Counselor For Moms Experiencing Life Transitions. Quinn Smalley is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor who helps her patients adjust to new situations, like leaving home for college, the end of a serious relationship, or the start of a new career. Quinn Smalley combines CBT and Art Therapy to help her clients let go of their attachments and appreciate the present moment for what it is instead of resenting it for what it is not.
• Michael Anthony, LCSW, Is A Counselor For Mothers In Relationships. Michael Anthony helps his clients navigate relationship issues, toxic masculinity, and the search for inner peace. Michael is a somatic and mindfulness-based counselor who incorporates the teachings from Martial Arts in his sessions.
• Alli Cravener, Counseling Intern, Helps Moms Unlock Their Creativity. Alli Cravener is a therapy intern  in St. Petersburg who helps her clients find their identity and explore their inner child through art therapy, finding freedom from self-imposed limitations and fears.

 If you feel stuck on your healing journey, working with a therapist can help. Based on your needs, our intake specialist will help you get matched up with your perfect therapist. Click here to schedule a consultation.

Sunny Ebsary is an educator, multi-modal artist, and writer specializing in the intersection of myth and mental health. Sunny’s writing walks the line between poetic and logical, giving readers a chance to interface with the mind and imagination. Sunny’s been putting pen to paper since he was a child, writing everything from albums, novels, and plays, to essays, interactive games, and of course, many articles! While studying both psychology and writing, he realized his real passion in life was helping others unlock their creative spark. Whether he’s leading a D&D game, directing a production, or diving deep into the brain, you can be sure Sunny will be ushering you toward finding meaning in your life.