Mom Anxiety: Why Does it Feel So Heavy?

Is it just me or does “normal life” suddenly feel like way too much? Like you’re one small inconvenience away from breaking down? If you’ve felt more anxious than usual lately, experiencing mom anxiety as a Christian woman, like your nerves are shot and everything is just too much, you’re not alone. Women are more prone to experience anxiety than men, but lately women are struggling more than ever (and silently- because we just push through because sometimes it just feels like we have no other choice).

If you’re reading this, chances are you’re sitting on your bathroom floor or scrolling through your phone in the school pickup line- somewhere quiet(ish), trying to breathe through that tightness in your chest that just won’t quit. I see you. I am you. And I want to talk about something we all deal with but rarely say out loud: mom anxiety.

Christian Women With Anxiety- Yes, We Exist.

From the outside, it might look like you’re holding it all together. You’re juggling schedules, meals, appointments, emotions, and maybe even a job or a ministry calling. But inside? You feel like you’re drowning. You feel like you’ve lost yourself in the process. Like maybe this isn’t the life you signed up for. Their normal stress and anxiety feels more like panic, fear, and dread.

What’s going on and why are Christian women feeling more severe anxiety than usual lately? Let’s unpack a few reasons why you may be struggling.

1. Mental Load of Motherhood: It’s Not Just in Your Head

You’re carrying more than you realize. The mental load of motherhood is invisible, but my goodness it’s so heavy. You’re the calendar keeper, the emotional regulator, the decision maker, the housekeeper, and the researcher. Women aren’t just staying at home anymore either. We are working full time jobs in addition to trying to excel at being moms and raise healthy and kind human beings. Even when you’re physically sitting down, your brain doesn’t stop. It’s no wonder you’re exhausted and anxious and have mom anxiety.

You’re not imagining it. You’re carrying more than anyone sees, and that weight deserves compassion. I literally told my husband this morning, “I need three of me to get done everything that I need to do. I had three hours while my daughter was in preschool to get things done. “Do I work out, do the laundry, get a pedicure, catch up on work emails, mop the floors?” (Sounds familiar, doesn’t it)?

2. Overwhelmed Mom- Rest? What’s Rest?

You haven’t had real rest in…how long? After you wrangle the kids to bed, your’re lucky if we get maybe 1-2 hours to yourself. By that time, you’re too exhausted to do anything rejuvenating or restorative. So, you binge watch a show or doom scroll on social media- anything to numb your exhausted brain. This isn’t rest. It’s numbing. You need more than that, and the anxiety you are feeling is signaling to you that you are depleted, worn out, and that you desperately need to give your body some time to truly rest.

When I think of rest, I don’t just mean a good night’s sleep. (Although that’s important too). I’m talking about the kind of rest that restores you. Try thinking of a place or an activity that restores your body (and your soul). For me, it’s having a morning ritual of waking up early and reading my Bible and spending time in prayer. Or spending time with a close friend and having adult conversation. Try thinking of what that would be for you. Maybe jot a few things down and then be intentional to make it happen! Keep in mind that this isn’t a cure for anxiety, but when it comes to treating anxiety, we want to focus on small steps to get your body/nervous system more relaxed.

3. Mom Anxiety & Information Overload

We have more access to the world, the news, and the media. Every day we hear of bad news. Trying to hold this while also trying to process your own stress and pain weighs you down with a burden you were never meant to carry. We carry our phones with us everywhere we go. We literally have access to the whole world- and the whole world always has access to us in return. I can’t open up social media or go on the internet without hearing of another tragedy. Before you know it, I’m finding myself feeling fearful and feeling a sense of dread and doom. “What if I lose someone too? What if my plane crashes? What if I die and my daughter has to live without having a mom?” The what ifs and catastrophizing are classic examples of anxious thinking.

4. You’re In Survival Mode- High Functioning Anxiety Burn Out

You’ve been in survival mode too long. When you live with chronic pressure or anxiety, even a small bump in the road (like an unexpected change, a setback, an inconvenience) can feel like a crash. Burnout is real, and I believe it’s more common among women than ever before. Think about it, women are masters at putting everyone else’s needs first. Have you ever said, “I don’t have time to cry.” (Or is that just me?) Seriously, some days I’m just pushing through trying to keep up with all the things that I don’t even give myself the space to sigh, to name my emotions, or to just pray.

If you can relate to this, I’m encouraging you to start by reaching out to a friend or telling your significant other that you’re struggling and you’re just “not okay.” Then, I want you to seriously consider meeting with a counselor or inviting community into your anxiety.

Christian Counseling Orlando- Mom Anxiety Help Near Lake Mary, FL

If this is you- a Christian woman who’s burnt out, anxious, and trying to hold it all together, I just want to say: You are not weak. You are tired. You deserve care too. God isn’t asking you to push through. The Lord loves when we humble ourselves and confess our need for Him. He loves when we say, God, I can’t but I know you can. He is inviting us as women to pause, to surrender, and to ask Him to carry our burdens.

If you’re ready to stop living in survival mode and genuinely need help with your anxiety, counseling may be the next right step. As a counselor serving women across Florida—both in person in Lake Mary and online—I want you to know that help is here. Whether you’re facing daily panic, can’t sleep at night, or just feel like you’re on the edge more often than not, you don’t have to keep pretending you’re fine. I’m a Christian woman, working mom, just trying to do the best I can do (with God’s help and grace) just like you. From one tired, stressed out woman to another- you are not crazy and sometimes we just need another woman who gets it (and who’s trained to help)! Email me directly to get started or to schedule a free consult call!

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