The path of motherhood brings extraordinary happiness together with boundless love and countless special memories. A common expectation exists beneath this beautiful experience which people identify as M.O.M. Syndrome or “More on More.” During my first year of residency with Dr. Todd Cameron at Cameron Wellness I received education about M.O.M Syndrome which I believe describes the pattern of mothers adding more duties and responsibilities that usually harm their physical and mental well-being.
Understanding the Incredible Role of Mothers
Mothers undertake an extensive array of responsibilities which include caregiving and mentorship as well as nursing duties and educational and culinary and transportation responsibilities without end. Mothers bear numerous responsibilities because society along with family demands and personal aspirations force them to manage multiple duties at the same time. Mothers demonstrate remarkable capability in handling numerous responsibilities yet they pay a substantial price through increased stress levels.
The Realities of M.O.M. Syndrome: How Stress Impacts Mothers
Mothers function as superheroes but all superheroes need boundaries. The persistent pressure of fulfilling the ever-expanding list of tasks leads to chronic stress, a condition that significantly affects health. Research evidence shows that enduring high levels of stress produces detrimental effects on mental and physical health, which includes:
Anxiety and Depression: The long-term buildup of stress makes it more likely for people to develop anxiety and depression which disrupts emotional health and life quality (Khan & Khan, 2017).
Immune System Suppression: Continuous stress causes the immune system to become weaker thus increasing a mother’s risk of falling ill (O’Connor et al., 2020).
Sleep Disorders: Prolonged stress causes insomnia together with poor sleep quality which creates additional health complications (Khan & Khan, 2017).
Cognitive Impairment: The brain experiences detrimental effects from excessive stress which degrades memory alongside executive function and mental clarity (McManus et al., 2021).
Cardiovascular Risk: The prolonged state of stress increases the risk of developing hypertension as well as heart disease which leads to cardiovascular events (Pickering, 2001).
Research shows that adding new tasks to a mother’s responsibilities without proper support leads to unsustainable situations. Early recognition of stress indicators should be followed by appropriate responses to prevent severe health problems from developing.
5 Ways to Better Appreciate Moms:
True appreciation goes beyond material gifts since it demands meaningful actions which both help reduce her responsibilities and show understanding of her efforts. Five effective methods exist to show deeper appreciation toward mothers in both family settings and communities:
Household chores including cooking and cleaning and child-rearing duties should be distributed among family members to reduce her workload.
Regular Acknowledgement: Frequently express gratitude for her efforts verbally or through heartfelt gestures.
Prioritize Her Health: Schedule regular wellness checkups and ensure she has time for rest and recovery.
Encourage Personal Time: Create conditions that let mothers spend time on their interests as well as relaxation and friendships without interruptions.
Create a Supportive Environment: Foster open communication, ensuring mothers feel comfortable expressing their stress and needs without guilt or judgment.
5 Proven Strategies to Combat Stress from M.O.M. Syndrome:
Stress management stands as an essential requirement for mothers to preserve their health throughout their lifespan. These five proven strategies serve to reduce stress according to scientific research:
Practicing mindfulness meditation helps people manage stress better and strengthens their emotional strength while reducing anxiety. Daily short mindfulness practice sessions help reduce stress to a significant degree.
Regular Physical Activity: Physical exercise, from walking to yoga, effectively reduces stress hormones, boosts mood, and improves sleep quality.
Balanced Nutrition: A nutritious diet supports brain function, stabilizes mood, and enhances the body’s ability to handle stress.
Quality Sleep: Getting enough restful sleep enables emotional health regulation and enhances cognitive abilities and strengthens immune system capabilities.
Social Connection and Support: The establishment of supportive networks including friendships and support groups and community involvement helps reduce feelings of isolation which in turn decreases stress levels.
Embracing a Sustainable and Joyful Motherhood
Motherhood brings incredible joy but women need to establish equilibrium in their lives. The reduction of M.O.M. Syndrome-related pressures leads mothers toward survival and long-term success. Our active support and appreciation of mothers enables them to maintain their remarkable work without harming their health.
We should honor mothers through constant appreciation of their essential work while actively working to alleviate their responsibilities throughout the entire year. The well-being of mothers directly affects the health and happiness of their families and entire communities.
References:
A study published by Clark et al. (2016) in Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine examines stress and negative health behaviors across a five-year wellness center member cohort. The researchers published their findings in Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 58 (2016) pages 868-873 (doi: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000000826).
The authors Haight et al. (2023) examine how daily stressors affect daily health among individuals who experience cumulative stress. Health Psychology published their research in Volume 42 Issue 5 starting on page 325 with their article titled “Combined effects of cumulative stress and daily stressors on daily health” (doi: 10.1037/hea0001281).
The article by Khan and Khan (2017) in Journal of Medical and Psychological Health explores the relationship between stress and anxiety-depression. A study published in the Journal of Medical and Psychological Health Volume 4 Issue 2 from 2017 explores stress’s role in anxiety and depression development.
The research by Kiuchi et al. (2024) uses interview data to assess stress effects on mental and physical health outcomes. The researchers published their findings in Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine Volume 66 (2024) starting on page e285 and ending at e295 (doi: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000003117).
McManus et al. (2021) examined how stress affects brain function and mental and cognitive health in UK Biobank participants across different life stages. Neurobiology of Stress published their research in 2021 Volume 18 with the article “The effects of stress across the lifespan on the brain, cognition and mental health: A UK Biobank study” (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ynstr.2022.100447).
The review by O’Connor et al. (2020) explores how stress affects health through psychobiological mechanisms. Annual Review of Psychology published the review in 2020 Volume 71 starting from page 663 through page 688 (https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-psych-062520-122331).
The paper by Pickering (2001) investigates how mental stress contributes to hypertension development and cardiovascular disease. The author published their findings in Current Hypertension Reports Volume 3 (2001) pages 249-254 (https://doi.org/10.1007/S11906-001-0047-1).
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