Why Your Mental Health Needs a Support System
Humans are not designed to be alone. We are social beings who require connections and companionship with other people. And this is especially true for moms. Many times in the throes of motherhood, we neglect this basic human need and feel terribly alone. It’s not hard to see how some moms end up feeling sad, depressed, and isolated. That’s why it’s so important to have a support system in place to help give both emotional and practical support along the way.
Of course, for some moms, being far away from their immediate support system is their reality, which can make things even more difficult. Other times, moms don’t know how to ask for help and shut everyone out who is trying to help. The lack of a support system can affect anyone, and it can have a big impact on your overall mental health. Finding or growing a support system for yourself is an important piece of having better mental health.
In some cases it might be hard to find or lean into a support system, especially as busy moms. It’s easy to believe that you’re inconveniencing someone by asking for help or that it’s easier for everyone if you just stay quiet. This is quite the opposite. Research shows that having a strong support system has many positive benefits. Those with support systems in place are found to have higher levels of wellbeing, better coping skills, and lead a longer and healthier life.
From a mental health standpoint, having a support system has been proven to reduce depression, stress, and anxiety in comparison to those without support systems in their lives. Having social support helps to keep you active and engaged with the world around you. Your support system can also help boost your mood by doing something simple like sending a text to check in on you. Having a support system will allow you to be happier and feel surrounded by connection and companionship.
We will dive deeper into how to make strong support systems, why they benefit your health, and how to evaluate your current support system to see if it’s meeting your needs in future blog posts!
