How to Manage Anxiety as a Mom
- Pauline L'Herbette
- Sep 12
- 2 min read
Being a mom is one of the most beautiful roles in life but it can also be one of the most overwhelming. Whether you're a new mom adjusting to a completely different life or a seasoned parent juggling school schedules, emotional needs, work, and everything in between. Mom anxiety is real. And you’re not alone.
As a therapist, and a mom of two myself, I know firsthand how easily anxiety can creep into our daily routines. The mental load, decision fatigue, and pressure to “do it all” can make it hard to breathe, let alone enjoy the present moment.
So, how do we manage anxiety as moms?
Understanding Mom Anxiety
Anxiety in motherhood can look like:
Constant worry
Racing thoughts before bed
Overthinking every decision
So much guilt
Feeling irritable or emotionally drained
These feelings don’t mean you’re failing. They mean you’re human. And when you're carrying the emotional weight of a household, it's no wonder that your nervous system is sounding the alarm.
Tips to Manage Anxiety as a Mom
Create a Grounding Ritual
When anxiety peaks, it helps to have a ritual that brings you back to the present moment. This could be:
A 2-minute breathing exercise
Holding a warm cup of coffee and taking mindful sips
Placing your hand on your heart and saying, “I’m doing the best I can.”
Grounding rituals don’t have to be long to be powerful. They just have to be consistent.
Name Your Feelings
So many moms tell me, “I don’t even know what I’m feeling. I’m just overwhelmed.” Naming your emotion is the first step to managing it. Try using a simple phrase like, “Right now, I’m feeling anxious because I want to make sure my kids are okay.” Putting feelings into words helps your brain shift from survival mode into a place where you can access calm and clarity.
Build Micro-Moments of Rest
You don’t need an hour-long spa day to feel relief. You need pockets of rest that refuel you.
Ideas:
5 minutes of quiet after drop-off
Listening to a podcast while folding laundry
Putting your phone away during a solo walk
Reading a book for 10 minutes
These small moments add up. And they tell your nervous system: "I'm safe. I can slow down."
Get Support That’s Just for You
Therapy isn’t just for crises. It's for creating space to feel heard and held. As a therapist who works with moms, I offer a non-judgmental, compassionate space to unpack the anxiety, the guilt, and the pressure and to rebuild a sense of self beneath the noise.
Whether you’re navigating postpartum changes, mom rage, burnout, or just a general sense of “I’m not okay,” therapy can be a lifeline.
I offer in-person therapy sessions in Echo Park (Los Angeles) and virtual therapy across California and Connecticut.
Schedule a free consultation where we can talk about how therapy can support you in this season of your life. You’re not alone. You’re not failing. And you don’t have to carry this all by yourself.
With care,
Pauline
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