Doctor: Don’t let ‘mom guilt’ prevent self-care

If you’ve ever had feelings of mom guilt, you’re not alone.

While it’s natural to feel guilty, that shouldn’t stop you from taking time for yourself.

Self-care is important for your mental and physical health. It gives you the chance to relax and focus on your own needs.

You could do something simple like meditate, go for a walk, take a nice long bath, or spend time with friends.

“It’s really not a luxury. This is a necessity. Because at some point when we are under all of this chronic stress and guilt and there’s no downtime for our nervous system…our blood pressure can go up. It actually can increase risk for anxiety and depression,” said Dr. Melissa Young, with Cleveland Clinic.

If you notice your stress or anxiety getting more frequent or severe, you should talk with your doctor.