Alright moms, let’s have a real talk about stress. Not just the obvious kind that comes with managing our children and their needs, but the sneaky stressors that build up without us even realizing it.
I see this every day in my practice and in my own life – amazing moms who are holding it all together on the outside while their bodies are sending SOS signals on the inside. Let’s dive into those hidden stressors and talk about how your body might be trying to tell you something!
Table of Contents
The Invisible Weight of Mental Load
You know that mental list you’re constantly updating? The one that tracks doctor appointments, school projects, grocery needs, birthday party gifts, and remembering which kid likes the crusts cut off? That’s mental load, and it’s exhausting your nervous system even when you’re physically “resting.”
This is exactly what I’ve experienced as a mom with three children. I constantly find I have a list to be done and things that I don’t want to miss. It was exhausting, not only for me, but I found it also began to impact my time to interact with my family because my brain never shuts off! This would leave my body in a constant state of fight-or-flight, which shows up as headaches and poor sleep for me. It was something I knew I needed to change for my health but also for me to help slow time down and truly enjoy each stage of life.
Physical Stressors Nobody Talks About
Let’s be honest about some physical realities of motherhood that are literally reshaping our bodies day by day:
Being a mom is basically like being an athlete – except nobody gives you a coach, proper training, or recovery time! From pregnancy onward, our bodies endure physical demands that are HARD! And yet, we rarely talk about the toll these daily physical stressors take on our bodies and nervous systems.
- The Mom Stance: That position where you’re holding a baby on one hip while doing literally anything else with your free hand
- Phone Neck: Hours spent looking down at your phone while nursing or sitting through sports practice
- Car Seat Back: The twisted position your spine endures while buckling kids in the backseat
- Sleep Positions: Contorting yourself around co-sleeping toddlers or pregnancy pillows
- Bag Shoulder: Always carrying a diaper bag, work bag, or both on the same shoulder
These positions might seem minor, but when you repeat them hundreds of times, they create real physical stress on your body. Your spine and nervous system absorb this stress, and eventually, something’s gotta give.
I know carrying around a 15 lb weight would be nearly impossible for me yet I try to do carry my 20 lb child while doing other tasks so of course my body is being impacted.
The Chemical Stressors We Ignore
When we’re busy taking care of everyone else, our own nutrition and hydration often take a backseat. Here’s what I commonly see and have experienced as well:
- Grabbing whatever’s convenient instead of what nourishes (sure, I’ll just eat their leftovers!)
- Living on coffee to power through the day
- Forgetting to drink water until you’re already dehydrated
- Stress eating when you finally get a moment to yourself
- Constantly exposing yourself to cleaning chemicals while trying to maintain a somewhat clean home
Your body processes all of these as stressors, and they add up quickly!
How Your Body Tells You It’s Overwhelmed
Your body will always try to communicate when stress is building up. Some signs to watch for:
- Tension headaches that come on at the same time each day
- That knot between your shoulder blades that never quite goes away
- Digestive issues that seem to flare with stress
- Trouble falling asleep even when you’re exhausted
- Getting sick as soon as you finally take a break
- Waking up with jaw pain from clenching all night
Here’s the thing – these aren’t just annoying symptoms to push through. They’re your body’s check engine light coming on!
How Chiropractic Care Helps Moms
I love working with moms because the results can be so transformative, not only for mom but for the whole family. It’s true that how mom functions and processes truly impacts the entire family. When mom feels better, everyone benefits! Here’s how chiropractic care specifically addresses these hidden stressors:
- Nervous System Reset: Adjustments help shift your body from fight-or-flight mode into rest-and-digest mode. This is huge for stress management!
- Physical Alignment: We address those physical patterns from “mom life” before they become chronic problems.
- Improved Sleep Quality: When your nervous system calms down, you can actually get restorative sleep in the hours you do manage to get.
- Better Stress Response: Regular care helps your body process day-to-day stressors more effectively.
- Preventative Care: We catch small issues before they become big problems.
One of our moms, Jessica, started care when her youngest was 3 months old. She came in with headaches, brain fog, and what she called “mom zombie mode.” After six weeks of consistent care, she told me, “I feel like myself again. I didn’t even realize how much tension I was carrying until it was gone.”
Small Steps for Stressed-Out Moms
While regular chiropractic care is amazing for addressing these hidden stressors, here are some simple things you can start doing today:
- Set a timer to drink water throughout the day
- Do a 30-second stretch break every time you use the bathroom
- Switch which hip you carry your child on
- Practice 5 deep belly breaths when you feel tension rising
- Alternate shoulders for carrying bags
- Use the “log roll” technique to get out of bed (your back will thank you!)
You Deserve Care Too
Here’s my message to every mom reading this: Your health matters. Not just because it makes you a better mom (though it does), but because YOU matter.
The airlines have it right – you have to put on your own oxygen mask first. Taking care of your body through chiropractic care isn’t selfish; it’s necessary maintenance for the most important person in your family’s life.
Ready to address those hidden stressors? We’d love to help you feel like yourself again. Give us a call at (608) 824-0950 or book online to schedule your appointment at ADIO Chiropractic in Middleton.
Your body works hard for you every day. Isn’t it time you returned the favor?
Dr. Eric Kurzinski and Dr. Alexandria Quick specialize in helping moms and families at ADIO Chiropractic in Middleton, WI. With a focus on neurologically-based chiropractic care, they help patients of all ages achieve optimal health naturally.
