This year, unfortunately, Mother’s Day is being celebrated in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic; a period that leaves many of us anxious as to when life will return to normal again. The month of May has also been designated as Mental Health Month to raise awareness of mental health issues and the importance of sound mental health; a combination that seems quite fitting given that a lot of moms are mentally holding their families together at this time. Between balancing the family’s needs, helping kids at home with schoolwork and making time for their personal careers, a huge part of what mothers are doing during this time is protecting the mental wellbeing of their families.
Mothers are loved and renowned for their instinctive nurturing, comforting and supporting ways of showing love. Daily, they invest time, effort, and emotions to take care of the family. One day to acknowledge them for all their hard work could never be enough to show how special they are. However, if we have to choose one day to show our mom how special she is, especially during a time that we're being asked to practice social distancing, how do we make the best of it? Accessing the usual gifts may not be as easy this time around but that doesn't negate how much room there is to do something extra special. This Mother’s Day let's give the gift of mental wellness to our moms. They often spend so much time looking after all of us that they tend to forget to look after themselves. Ensuring that our moms experience good mental health may seem like a small gesture, but it can be an effective and loving way to show appreciation to the centres of our universe.
Here are three ways to gift your mom mental wellness this Mother’s Day that will help her to be even more amazing than she already is:
The Gift of Self-Care
Mothers are constantly being pulled in different directions to get things done and while they appear to do it effortlessly, it can take a serious toll. This Mother’s Day, set aside your mom's favorite book, start her day with a warm cup of coffee and allow her some down-time to spend doing anything she chooses, even if it’s just to sit in complete silence by herself without having to worry about getting things done around the house. Encourage her to spend as much time relaxing whether it be with some music, scented candles, her favourite tv shows, or whatever else her heart desires. Nothing beats the time where you can take your mind off the other pressing issues for a bit to simply breathe and take care of yourself.
2. The Gift of Self-Love
Too often, we forget to tell our moms how much we truly love and appreciate all that they do. We take for granted that they will one day grow old and may not be here with us anymore. It's never a bad time to help our mothers remember how amazing they are and let them know that not one of the wonderful things they do goes unnoticed. Consider giving her a jar of notes that tell her all the things you are thankful for and all the reasons you love her. Encourage her to write out some positive affirmations about herself and add to the jar. She’ll be able to keep it and look at it whenever she needs a reminder of how much she’s loved not only by her family but how much she should love herself.
3. The Gift of Self-Compassion
Most times, our moms show compassion to all of us, especially in those moments when we face our personal struggles. They are the ones that lend us an ear or give us a shoulder to cry on and usually even find the solution to the problems. This doesn’t mean that they are always compassionate with themselves. Self-compassion can help your mom deal with her anxiety or insecurities. Consider giving your mom a few things that can allow her to be more tender and kind to herself and boost her self-compassion. How about getting her a journal so that she can start writing how she feels, treating her to a foot massage which can physically remove tense feelings from her body or practice mindfulness through a moment of meditation. These simple gestures can certainly encourage helpful habits that will only strengthen your mom’s mental fitness.
Although this Mother’s Day might seem less exciting because of the social distancing practices and the closure of most of her favourite spots, remember that one of the best gifts you can give your mom is love and a healthy mindset so that she can continue to be the superwoman that she is.