Overwhelmed Lockdown Mum - 9 Simple Ways to Tend to Yourself While Taking Care of Everyone Else.

Mums in lockdown faced more challenges than ever as supportive roles normally served by the community, such as schooling and childcare, were no longer available.

Daily routines that held everything together are disrupted: time seems to stretch out and the days drag. In contrast, life is more hectic than before due to the extra work that homeschooling and having the kids at home brings.

The pressure on for many women, like you, to take on extra tasks and shore up your family’s emotional wellbeing while trying to find time for yourself.

You still have to show up for those who need you, often with little respite, support or even understanding.

As a mum of two boys, I know it’s hard to keep going as the days monotonously roll into one, so this article offers a few ideas on how to manage self-care in difficult times.

Mental Health Crisis

Isolation and fear of infection have given rise to anxiety and depression during the pandemic.

According to the Office for National Statistics, the rate of adults experiencing moderate to severe depression almost doubled during lockdown from 9.7% (July 2019 to March 2020) to 19.2% (June 2020).

Women raising families are vulnerable to mental health issues if they don’t get the support they need.

The Main Stress Factors

Work

Whether working from home or for frontline or essential services, those who juggle work with childcare may feel they are failing at both.

Furlough relieves the work pressure but brings financial worries or fear of redundancy. Maybe you simply miss the social and mental stimulation work brings.

Stay-at-home mums, you still need a break too especially if your partner is working full time and the bulk of childcare falls on you.