109: Parenting stress - in our 'culture of comparison' - is now 'a major health issue'

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Over the last decade, parents have been consistently more likely to report experiencing high levels of stress compared to other adults, according to a report issued by the US Surgeon General, Dr Vivek Murthy. 

According to the advisory, 'When stress is severe or prolonged, it can have a harmful effect on the mental health of parents and caregivers, which in turn also affects the well- being of the children they raise. Children of parents with mental health conditions may face heightened risks for symptoms of depression and anxiety and for earlier onset, recurrence, and prolonged functional impairment from mental health conditions.'

It goes on to say “Demands from both work and child caregiving have come at the cost of quality time with one’s partner, sleep and parental leisure time.”

We've talk about ways of reducing stress in the past, but it can't be talked about enough. In this episode we unpack what is said in the Advisory, and give you some helpful tips on how to reduce the pressure felt by us all.

Here is a 10-point list of top tips from this episode:

1. Be a "single tasker" and focus on one task at a time to reduce stress and improve focus.
2. Identify when you are hearing judgment or fear, and examine whether it is an internal or external stressor.
3. Ration your exposure to negative thoughts and negative media to avoid activating stress circuits.
4. Lean on your support network and share your feelings with others to avoid feeling isolated.
5. Recognize the signs of stress in yourself and have a list of de-stressing activities.
6. Plan and organize tasks in advance to reduce stress and increase efficiency.
7. Practice cognitive empathy by understanding others' perspectives without getting emotionally involved.
8. Cultivate meaningful happiness by reconnecting with experiences, people and goals that matter to you.
9. Trust that stressful situations will pass and focus on your capacity to manage them.
10. Act as an ambassador for stress management by sharing resources and pushing back against unnecessary stress.

MY BLOG POST ON THIS EPISODE:
https://www.teenagersuntangled.com/blog/our-culture-of-comparison-is-a-key-factor-in-the-damaging-levels-of-stress-experienced-by-parents/

PREVIOUS EPISODE WITH MORE TIPS:
https://www.teenagersuntangled.com/stress-dealing-with-the-pressures-of-parenting-and-techniques-that-help-reduce-the-stress/

THE SOURCE:
https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2024/08/28/us-surgeon-general-issues-advisory-mental-health-well-being-parents.html

STUDY ON MATERNAL EMPATHY: AFFECTIVE V'S COGNITIVE
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4053926/

AN EXCELLENT ARTICLE LISTING IDEAS OFFERD IN THIS EPISODE:
https://paren

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I don't have medical training so please seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping.

My email is teenagersuntangled@gmail.com The website has a blog, searchable episodes, and ways to contact us:
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Susie is available for a free 15 minute consultation, and has a great blog:
www.amindful-life.co