Mom BrainStorm: Stop trying to figure out your feelings!

So many of my mom patients spend time puzzling over their COVID emotions-WHY are they feeling the way they’re feeling? Why are they managing to stay cool and collected during an insanely stressful day with their kids but melting down over an undercooked meatball? Emotions are hard to understand even during the best of circumstances–and even more so now. Oftentimes the reactions we have are not only due to an immediate stressor but also to the 50 other stressors we’ve faced before that. When my patients express frustration about not being able to understand their feelings, I encourage them to stop trying to crack the code, and instead try to think of ways to effectively respond to these feelings. I assure them–and assure you–that it will be time better spent.