Mother's Day: 6 Tips To Help Prioritize Mom’s Health

Mother’s Day is celebrated in more than 50 countries across the world, but not all of them celebrate it on the same day. In India, Mother’s Day 2022 will be celebrated on 8th May, i.e., the second Sunday of May. Did you know that modern-day celebrations of Mother’s Day are quite different from what the day was originally supposed to be? That’s right, Ann Jarvis and peace activist Julia Howe meant the day to be ‘Mother’s Day for Peace’ as a protest against war and an urge for peace by mothers [1].

It is now celebrated as a token of appreciation for the role that mothers play in our lives and the sacrifices they make for our happiness and wellbeing. After all, mothers often juggle a range of responsibilities from taking care of the family’s health and nutrition, teaching and bringing up kids, managing the home, managing finances, and more. In fact, as per a study, women worked for an additional 173 hours for childcare in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic [2].

Keeping this in mind, on Mother’s Day 2022, make your mother’s health a priority and help them take better care of their physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. Here are some Mother’s Day health-related gifting ideas you can rely on as you wish her a Happy Mother’s Day!

Mother’s Day 2022 gifting ideas

Book her appointments for regular health checkups 

Do you know the benefits of a regular health checkup for women, especially when it comes to breast cancer? About 85-90% of breast cancers are a result of genetic abnormalities caused by aging and life in general [3]. Moreover, the risk of breast cancer is nearly double if you have a first-degree relative diagnosed with breast cancer [3].

Regular checkups can also help your mother stay on top of any potential health conditions and help her lead a healthier lifestyle. So, this Mother’s Day 2022, book an appointment for a health checkup and take the first step towards a healthier life together!

Get her to stay active 

According to a study, physical activity helps reduce risk of heart problems, hypertension, diabetes, cancer, and more. Physical activity can also reduce stress and help cope with the many demands of motherhood [4]. So, this 2022 on Mother’s Day, give your mother the gift of good physical and mental health. Keep her company to motivate her by going for workouts, yoga, or sports sessions together.

Keep her brain active by teaching her something new 

With the body, our mind ages too. This is why it is important to keep the brain engaged in order to ensure its health. Make time to do some mental activities together so that you can help keep your mom’s mind young, active, and sharp.

Dementia, depression, and organic brain syndrome are some common mental health problems that come with age, especially for women [5]. For Mother’s Day 2022, you can sign your mom up for a new class or skill and do sudoku and other puzzles with her to stimulate her brain.

Make sure her diet is healthy 

On Mother’s Day 2022, ensure that your mother’s diet gives her all the mineral, vitamins, and other nutrients that she may lose with age. Good food will help fuel her body and get her going through the day. Ensure that her meal consists of the necessary healthy fats and limit her consumption of unhealthy fats.

When coupled with physical activities, healthy eating habits can help prevent a number of health conditions such as obesity and reduce her risk for health conditions like diabetes or cardiovascular disease. Eating healthy is also one of the best kinds of skincare during monsoons, summer and winter!

Help her better manage stress  

As per salary research in the US, a stay-at-home mother’s salary is beyond Rs.1 crore a year [6]. Can you think of the amount of stress you would feel if you earned this amount? This only increases if you think of what a working mom goes through! All this sheds light on why it is important for you to help your mother manage her stress.

Stress can cause a number of health problems including heart conditions. So, on Mother’s Day 2022, think of ways in which you can relieve her stress and make her feel refreshed. Some examples could be singing together, booking her massages, taking her out for things she likes to do and more.

Ensure that she gets sufficient sleep 

Given the demands of motherhood along with stress and other responsibilities, and your mother may rarely get the time to get sufficient sleep. A constant lack of sleep has cumulative and long-term effects on health. It can lead to diabetes, hypertension, obesity, heart attack, and even a stroke [7].

To avoid this and keep your mother healthy, make sure she gets enough sleep this Mother’s Day 2022 and beyond. Help her make the necessary changes in her life that can help her sleep better, be it by organizing her schedule or simply giving her a head massage before bed!

This Mother’s Day, health can be the perfect area for you to focus on. Inculcating the tips suggested above can help your mom lead a healthy lifestyle. If you notice any concerns or symptoms, be proactive and contact a doctor immediately. Get a doctor consultation for any issues or advice in just a few clicks on Bajaj Finserv Health. You can also book health tests and sign up for affordable health insurance here.

Moms usually neglect health and wellness and focusing on them is a great way for you to show your love on Mother’s Day 2022. Ask the doctor any questions you may have, from breastfeeding benefits for mother’s health to signs of depression in women. Expert guidance at the right time can be a gamechanger for you and her. By ensuring that your celebrations on days like Mother’s Day or World Health Day help various family members prioritize their health, you can ensure your whole family stays healthy and happy!