I see a lot of busy families in my practice, all wondering how best to care for their children. Honestly, once basic survival needs are met, the best resource parents/primary caretakers can provide their children, is their own mental well-being.

Why is parental mental health so crucial for the child?

Generally, children feel more secure when they perceive their parents to be at ease. They are able to relax their own watchfulness, when their parents seem less stressed.
As their nervous systems develop, their evolution into responsible adults is aided by good models of self-regulation.
Finally, children will often reflect the outlook held by their parents. When they experience their parents as joyful and optimistic, they can learn to use this “glass half-full” lens as well.

How can I improve my mental state when I’m so stressed?

It can definitely be a challenge to find time to prioritize yourself in the busy moment-to-moment world of work, home, family responsibilities.

One easy way to integrate mental health into your life, is through the magic of podcasts.

Which podcasts do you recommend and why?

Over the years, a few really stand out. To make my list, podcasts need to contain intelligent conversations with engaging presenters, on thoughtful topics and be well-edited, with no bells & whistles (i.e. cheesy voice overs or loud interstitial music).

I recommend parents listen while commuting, or during their “downtime” (i.e. washing dishes and preparing school lunches!).

I have no relationship with the following podcasts but have found them to be helpful for myself and my clients.

Untangle: In depth interviews with a unique array of experts in the field of mindfulness.
Another is Slate’s parenting resource, with tongue & cheek title, Mom and Dad are Fighting.
How-To: So fun to listen to all the how-to’s, but my all-time favorites are the ones where the host interviews my parenting coach hero, Dr. Wendy Mogel about how to “Stress Your Kid the Right Way” and how to get a good night’s Sleep.
TED Talks: Here’s a wonderful episode that covers so many hot-button topics about parenting, including the importance of communicating frankly to your child about the sex at an early age, “Turning Kids Into Grown-Ups”.
Finally, AT Parenting Survival Podcast, which covers a multiplicity of parenting issues, but specializes in parenting sensitive or anxious children.

What about therapy? How can I find the time?

For parents who work full-time, I recommend finding a therapist who practices close enough to your workplace, for you to have a weekly, or bi-weekly lunch hour sessions. PsychologyToday.com, or your company’s EAP can help you find someone who meets your criteria.

Also, Tele-mental health is a rapidly growing in popularity. Not only are there companies that can match you with a phone therapists, but most all therapists (myself included) will conduct phone/video sessions on your lunch hour, or late nights.

What things can I do for myself that’ll improve my mental health?

Anyone familiar with my practice knows that I’m a die-hard proponent for journaling. Sometimes we are our own best resource, we just need the time to devote to our selves. Journaling allows thoughts to unfold and feelings to be expressed, while simultaneously allowing you to observe them (somewhat more) objectively.

As an added bonus, journaling aids in vanquishing insidious cycles of rumination, that, when not examined, are experienced as amorphous static, or anxiety.

Please leave comments here, with any additional questions, or suggestions.