May Mommy Mental Wellness Month: Supermoms Take Time for YOU This Mother's Day

SAN DIEGO, May 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- In honor of Mother's Day and Mental Health Awareness Month, it is a great time of year for moms across California to reflect and assess what they need emotionally. The California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT) reminds moms to keep their mental wellness top of mind this Mother's Day and take time to check in.

Too often, mothers unnecessarily deplete themselves by ignoring what their bodies are telling them, not sitting when their feet are sore and not slowing down when they have been running around all day.

"As mothers, we often feel that there are not enough hours in the day to take care of our own needs and take care of everyone else's," said Rachel Bernstein, LMFT based in Los Angeles. "Consequently, moms often times forfeit their needs and begin to lose themselves in their role as a parent."

Whether you are a new mom or an "empty-nester," mental wellness is crucial during all stages of motherhood. Bernstein offers three simple tips for moms to take care of their mental health throughout the life of their child:

1. Make a point to do one thing that makes you feel happy each day. Make a list of things you know you enjoy. If you have trouble giving it enough importance, put it on your daily calendar as an appointment.
2. Enjoy the fun moments. During spontaneous and unscripted moments, don't find yourself doing dishes, returning emails, or emptying out the clothes hampers while others are enjoying themselves. Put everything down and join in on the water fight instead of being the one to get the towels afterwards.
3. Delegate! Giving some tasks to others is not only a good idea, but it also teaches others some responsibility, and helps them have some idea of the amount of tasks you are usually expected to complete.

If you start to feel depressed, have hopeless or scattered thoughts, feel irritable much of the time and haven't smiled or laughed for days, it may be time to seek help from a professional such as a licensed marriage and family therapist.  Learn more or find a licensed marriage and family therapist in your area at CounselingCalifornia.com.

About CAMFT

The California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT) is a professional organization dedicated to the advancement of the state's licensed and prelicensed marriage and family therapists and the common interests of its 30,000 members.  CAMFT provides CounselingCalifornia.com as a free resource for individuals looking for marriage and family therapists located in California.  Marriage and Family Therapists treat a comprehensive range of issues including depression, anxiety, phobias/fears, elder and child issues, relationship issues, post-traumatic stress, and severe mental illness.  For more information, visit www.camft.org or www.CounselingCalifornia.com.

Media Contact:
Amber Albrecht, Porter Novelli
619-528-2359
[email protected]

SOURCE CounselingCalifornia.com; California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists