Do you ever find yourself rushed off your feet, trying to juggle a million things at once? Maybe you're adept at dealing with life in the fast lane, but if you find that stress affects you, then you're not alone. According to a new study, many moms feel that being stressed makes them a bad parent. The Independent states the survey was carried out by healthcare provider Benenden Health on moms aged between 25 and 60. Over two-thirds of the women (who all had children between the ages of three and 20) said they felt stress is a factor that impacts their ability to parent.
Out of all those surveyed, one in eight said they encountered stressful situations on a daily basis, while eight in ten believe their generation has more to worry about than their parents did. A third said they had tried to alleviate their stress naturally by practicing meditation or trying to exercise more in a bid to unwind. One in 10 went a step further and picked up the phone to talk to a helpline about their emotions, while one fifth searched social media and the web for any information that might help them to feel better. 41% of people turned to emotional eating, saying their mood improves when indulging in their favorite treats.
The survey also found a strong connection with mental health issues and parenthood. One in three moms said they began to struggle with their mental health after having children. With the extreme changes that come with parenthood, it's not uncommon for new parents to experience anxiety and depression symptoms. While 33% of participants said that their careers had taken a hit after journeying into parenthood, the same amount said that their relationship with their partners had also suffered. Almost half of the people surveyed praised their significant others with helping them deal with stressful feelings, but 40% said that they only made it worse.
A lot of mothers also admitted to feeling pressure about their child's wellbeing and schooling, including the possibility of bullying, the worry that they won't get good grades or the possibility they might hang around with the wrong people.