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Can Being A Stay At Home Parent Cause Depression? Learn the truth about the potential challenges and stressors that may lead to this mental health condition and find out how to cope and get support.
Being a stay-at-home parent may be difficult, mainly when things are unknown and lonely. As a stay-at-home mum for two years, I have learned much about looking after my mental health.
I value the importance of my mental health to be fully present when caring for my child. If I don’t look after my mental health, it can lead to depression.
How can being a stay at home parent cause depression? The ongoing responsibilities of parenthood can make it simple to feel alone, unappreciated, and overwhelmed.
Mental health and parenting go hand-in-hand. You can get depressed as a stay-at-home parent; however in this post you will learn what I have done to successfully fight off depression and keep my mental health in check.
This post will answer the question, “Can being a stay-at-home parent cause depression?
Can Being A Stay-At-Home Parent Cause Depression?
1. Insufficient social connection and isolation.
Stay-at-home parents may have a sense of alienation from friends and community, which can exacerbate depressive symptoms. If you are a stay-at-home parent you can attempt to connect with other parents through parenting groups, online forums, or regional events in order to solve this issue. Additionally, you can plan frequent outings with friends or family.
I make it a priority to have at least 2 social interactions each week, that may be coffee with a friend or a play date at the park with another parent.
2. Economic strain can cause depression for stay-at-home parents.
Stay-at-home parenting can cause financial strain because the family may only have one source of income, which can worsen depression. You could construct a budget and check back in with the budget regularly to look for methods to cut costs.
You can also explore for extra sources of income, such as creating a side hustle or freelancing. My mental health advocacy business is something I love to do. By operating the business, it not only brings me a sense of joy and accomplishment, it can also bring in extra money to help with our living expenses.
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3. Not knowing who you are or what makes you special.
Stay-at-home parents may experience sadness since they don’t feel like they have an identity outside of being a parent. Stay-at-home parents can solve this issue by finding ways to engage in their own interests and pastimes, even if it’s just a few hours a week.
Additionally, look for volunteer activities or enrol in a course to pick up a new skill. I have started to learn all about cooking and I love it! I read about new exciting recipes and reulary experiment and try these out at home.
4. Not taking good care of yourself as a stay-at-home parent.
Due to the demands of the position, stay-at-home parents may ignore their own self-care, which can result in sadness. I am committed to caring for my own physical and emotional wellbeing.
I go for daily walks, drink a fresh green smoothie each day and take a relaxing warm bath regularly.
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5. Unmanageable and excessive demands on time and energy.
Being a stay-at-home parent can be unpredictable and demanding, with ongoing obligations and demands, which can heighten depressive symptoms. As a stay-at-home mum for the last 2 years I have made it a priority to establish limits to assist in managing the workload and carve out time for rest and leisure.
You could also try to assign work to others or ask your spouse or other family members for assistance. My husband is a great support and we regularly help each other complete the domestic household tasks.
The Amazon products I recommend that fight depression as a stay-at-home parent:
1. The Mindfulness Colouring Book
Anti-stress art therapy for busy people by Emma Farrarons: Coloring can be a calming and meditative activity to help reduce stress and anxiety. This colouring book offers a variety of patterns and designs to choose from.
2. The Five-Minute Journal: A Happier You in 5 Minutes a Day by Intelligent Change
This journal is designed to help users focus on the positive aspects of their day and develop a gratitude practice, which can improve mood and overall well-being.
3. Weighted Blanket for Anxiety & Insomnia by YnM
A weighted blanket can provide comfort and security, helping reduce anxiety and improve sleep.
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