For Moms with Stress Reduction Problems - The Supermarket, An Unexpected Distraction

Moms of infants and toddlers are well aware of techniques of distraction—steering your child away from doing something dangerous or unwanted and toward your desired end. Usually moms put on a falsetto voice and, as if waving a magic wand, cast a glow on a place or an object that captures the child’s attention. But moms themselves are always looking for or in need of some distraction in order to recoup energy, regroup faculties and bring some new air into the brainwaves.

Psychologists would agree that moms need time to give back to themselves after giving to the child/ren. A survey done by Renee Miller, a psychologist in BMC Psychiatry indicated that 29% of new moms had depression, stress and anxiety, which she termed “postnatal distress.” Women with postnatal stress or distress often felt “on edge” and would say things like “I keep doing things and can’t seem to wind down,” “I feel impatient and touchy.” Miller felt that new mothers are on a steep learning curve and are often exhausted. Yes, they need something for stress reduction.

Some moms are able to sneak in catnap rests - an excellent source of regeneration and renewed energy. But if a husband, auntie, or best friend could be available for an hour with the child, another source that moms are now discovering is to just go back to the supermarket—that is - alone and unencumbered. This may be hard to fathom. In a normal run to the supermarket for mom with child in tow, there is some form of stress involved—fending off the bombardment of media, TV personalities on packages that entice every child, the candy isle, the cookie isle, check out time, and getting bundles into the car and into the home before meltdowns of the frozen foods, mom or the kids. But, when alone, when there are no necessities to purchase, the supermarket can be a haven for mom—a cheap chill out, a great form of stress reduction, renewal, and education.