CHEROKEE, Iowa (KTIV) – Specialists in Northwest Iowa say self-care is one of the best things a mom can do for her family.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and local experts are making the case for mothers to prioritize their own wellness.
Lauren Williams, a Marcus, Iowa, native and podcaster, started a podcast about mental health after losing her brother to suicide.
“I had the idea for the podcast just out of my wanting to know more, gain more knowledge about mental health, and I’ve also, as a nurse, worked a lot in the areas of mental health,” Williams said.
Williams said that when she lost her brother, that was the deciding factor that mental health awareness is important. He was a young male and had all the resources at his fingertips, but he was still struggling with it.
“By creating better habits in our daily life, it can overall impact your mental health greatly,” Williams said.
Williams said her podcast covers topics from interviewing a clinical psychologist about the impacts of anxiety on adolescents to postpartum anxiety to topics on grief. She also interviews people who share stories about how they focus on self-care in their daily lives through journaling or exercise.
“We hear it all the time that we’re spread thin, but we need to find ways that we actually change that,” Williams said.
Signs and symptoms
Jeannette Hasley, a certified advanced registered nurse practitioner with Cherokee Regional Medical Center, said the first step to better mental health is to take care of yourself.
“It’s from medical to alternative care to massages and relaxation, aroma therapy, you name it,” Hasley said.
Signs of mental health struggles can vary. Hasley said insomnia, eating, sleeping too much, and not sleeping enough are common indicators. The signs are different based on what someone may be going through, and they vary between every woman.
Hasley said some signs point to a hormone imbalance and high stress through all stages, including pregnant women, postpartum women, and women transitioning through perimenopause and menopause.
Other signs could include dry skin, loss of hair, irritability, insomnia, GI issues, anxiety, heart racing, and palpitations.
Movement as self-care
Lillian Jorgensen with Thrive Pilates said she copes with stress through movement.
“Personally, I’ve noticed a difference. If I’m having a bad day or if I’m not in a great mood, and then I go to a Pilates class, I feel like 10 times better afterwards. The music’s pumping, I’m moving my body, I’m like comfortable in that space, and it’s just like a great way to kind of boost those endorphins and make you feel better, not only physically, but definitely mentally,” Jorgensen said.
Jorgensen said waking up earlier and finding time for yourself is important to start your day off the right way.
From massage to mindful movement, self-care can come in many forms. (KTIV)Tips to beat burnout
Hasley offered other tips to beat burnout:
Drink more water, stay hydratedGo outside, get a walk in, and spend time in the sun30 minutes a day of exercising releases serotonin and dopamine, which can boost your moodMaintain good relationships and healthy relationships
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