5 Top Tips to Reduce Your Anxiety as a Parent

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Experiencing anxiety as a parent is completely normal – especially if this is your first time. From bullying and school performance to illness and injury, it can sometimes feel like there are millions of things to think about as your children grow up.

If you’re struggling with anxiety, I can help. I’ve put together 5 top tips to reduce your anxiety as a parent. Whether you’re caring for a newborn or your child is becoming a teenager, I hope you find a couple of ideas that work for you.

1. Build a strong support system

Building a strong support system is so important to reduce parental anxiety. Your support system may include your partner, your family and your friends. However, there are also other people who can help you – such as your child’s teachers or your baby group. All of these people can help you care for your little ones.

If you’re experiencing anxiety, make sure to reach out to your support system for help and advice. A support system also means you can enjoy time to yourself or time with other adults, as you’re surrounded by people who can look after your kids if you need it.

2. Be proactive

If there’s a specific issue on your mind, proactively finding ways to solve the problem could help to reduce your anxiety as a parent. For example, if you’re worried about bullying at school, could you speak to your child’s teacher? Or if you think your little one is ill, could you speak to your doctor for some reassurance?

For many, parental anxiety comes from a fear of their children getting harmed – and this can feel overwhelming at times. Try writing down exactly what’s on your mind. You can then decide if you need to take any action, or if you’re overthinking it.

Anxiety isn’t always something that can be solved through action – it might be a general feeling of uneasiness, especially as you’re getting used to parenting for the first time. However, sometimes just taking action can put your worries to rest and reduce your anxiety.

3. Prioritise self-care

It’s important to invest in self-care as a parent, finding time for yourself whenever you can. You could practice mindfulness or just find a few ways to relax at the end of the day. You could even find ways to practice mindful breathing with your little ones, teaching them how to reduce their own anxiety.

It’s also a good idea to look after your physical health, such as getting enough sleep and exercising on a regular basis. All of these things play an important role in your overall health and well-being, including your anxiety levels.

4. Arm yourself with information

For many parents, anxiety comes from worrying about doing the best for their child – and you’re not always going to know the answer to every problem. You might be worried about how to care for a newborn safely, or your kid might come to you with a specific issue. Arming yourself with information can help you feel less anxious.

You could speak to someone you trust or seek advice from an expert. The amount of parenting information out there can get a little overwhelming at times, so make sure to only read reliable sources for your parenting tips.

5. Seek professional help

If you’re dealing with anxiety as a parent, you might want to seek professional help. Whether you’re worried about something happening to your little ones, or you’re struggling with your mental health on a daily basis, it’s important to reach out for help when you need it.

You could speak to your local GP or look into therapy options. There’s no shame in reaching out to a professional, especially if your anxiety is starting to affect you every day.

Do you experience parental anxiety? I’d love to hear your thoughts, tips and experiences in the comments.

Take care everyone x