Dealing with Mother’s Day

Although Mother’s Day is meant to be a day of celebration, many women find it difficult. Mother’s Day can bring up a lot of emotions – for those who have lost a mother or a child, for those who are no longer living with or in contact with their children or mothers, and for those whose relationships are complicated.

Here, our counsellors talk though some suggestions for looking after yourself if Mother’s Day is difficult for you:

Plan ahead:
Knowing that Mother’s Day will be difficult gives you the opportunity to plan how you want to spend that time. Plan to be kind to yourself and spend time with people who understand what you’re going through. Decide whether you want to do something special to commemorate the day (such as remembering a loved one who has passed away or focusing on your own personal needs).

Don’t plan too many distractions:
Instead, make a list of one or two things that make you happy. Recognize that you will likely experience a variety of emotions, all of which are normal. Try to feel and think about them.

Ask for help if you need it:
If you’re worried about being alone on Mother’s Day, ask someone you trust to spend time with you.

Practice self-care:
Cortisol, a stress hormone, is increased by loss and bereavement. Personal reminders and triggering events can cause higher levels of cortisol, which can stay in the body for a long time, especially on days like Mother’s Day.

Use relaxation techniques to help you stay grounded when you’re feeling overwhelmed – you can watch the relaxation videos on our Horizon website to support you with this.