The Womind Journal

How Does Raising a Child with Special Needs Affect a Parent’s Mental Health (and Vice Versa)? Have you ever wondered how deeply a parent’s mental health is impacted when raising a child with special needs? And how that, in turn, affects the child? For 14 years, I worked in a physical therapy center for children with special needs. I saw both sides of the story—children striving in their own way to communicate, connect, and grow, and parents fighting battles no one else could see. I witnessed love in its rawest form. But I also witnessed exhaustion, guilt, isolation, and silent grief. That experience left me with a deep, lingering question: How are their minds and hearts coping—really? This blog post is not just about facts. It’s a reflection, a call for awareness, and a message to anyone walking this path: you are not alone. 1. The Hidden Toll on Parents 💔 Emotional Exhaustion From therapy sessions to sleepless nights, the constant demands can leave parents emotionally and phy...

Is It Stress, Anxiety, or Depression? How to Tell What You're Really Feeling Have you ever asked yourself, “What’s wrong with me?” Maybe you can’t sleep, or you’ve lost your appetite, or you're just too tired to care anymore. Sometimes it’s not easy to tell what we’re feeling, especially when stress, anxiety, and depression start to blur together. Each of these emotional states can look different for every person. And often, we don’t realize we’re struggling until our body starts to speak louder than our mind. I know this because I’ve lived it. 1. Stress: The Mind That Won’t Switch Off For me, I know I’m stressed when I can’t sleep . Even when I try not to think, when I do all the calming things I’m supposed to— my thoughts just won’t stop running . It’s like my mind is in overdrive, cycling through everything that could go wrong, everything I forgot to do, and everything I’m scared of. Ask yourself: Am I sleeping well—or is my brain keeping me awake at night? Do ...

When Words Hurt: The Lasting Impact of Panlalait sa Katawan on Confidence and Mental Health “Ang taba mo na.” “Uy, tumaba ka.” “Dati mas payat ka, anong nangyari?” In many Filipino conversations, comments like these are thrown around casually. They're often meant as jokes or observations, harmless, even affectionate. But for the person on the receiving end, these words can cut deep and leave lasting scars. This is “panlalait sa katawan”  a form of body shaming that may be common in daily life, butis never harmless. Let’s talk about how these seemingly small comments affect confidence, mental health, and our relationship with our bodies. 1. Panlalait sa Katawan and the Normalization of Shame In Filipino culture, teasing is often seen as normal or even caring. But when comments revolve around someone’s body, they do more harm than good. They send the message that: You’re only valuable if you fit certain beauty standards. Gaining weight means something’s wrong with yo...

Let It Out: How Expressing Anger Can Improve Your Mental Health We’ve all been there, holding in our frustration, stuffing down our emotions, pretending everything’s fine while our insides are anything but. But what if instead of bottling up your anger, you gave yourself permission to feel it, express it, and release it? Despite what many of us were taught, anger isn’t something to be ashamed of . In fact, expressing it, safely and constructively can be a powerful act of self-care and emotional healing. 🔥 The Weight of Unspoken Anger When anger is suppressed, it doesn’t just disappear. It builds up over time, often manifesting as: Chronic stress or anxiety Depression or emotional numbness Physical symptoms like headaches, fatigue, or tension Explosive outbursts at the wrong moment Bottled-up anger can make us feel like ticking time bombs, disconnected from our own needs, and distant from the people we care about. 💬 The Power of Venting Venting doesn’t mean yellin...

The Valsalva Effect and Nervous System Overload Have you ever felt dizzy, breathless, or panicky during simple chores like scrubbing the floor or lifting groceries? You're not alone. These seemingly routine actions might be triggering a powerful physiological response called the Valsalva maneuver  and when combined with an already sensitive nervous system, the effects can be intense. 💡 What Is the Valsalva Effect? The Valsalva maneuver happens when you hold your breath while exerting force, like straining, lifting, or scrubbing with pressure. This unintentional act creates internal chest pressure, reducing the return of blood to your heart for a few seconds. This can lead to: A sudden drop in blood pressure Feeling faint or dizzy Palpitations Shortness of breath or a sense of panic You might not even realize you're doing it, many people brace their core or hold their breath during physical effort without noticing. 🧠 Why It Hits Harder When You Have Anxiety or Dysautonomia If ...

I Gave Love, Honesty, and My True Self: But What Happened Next? Giving love and honesty freely is one of the bravest things we can do. To open ourselves fully, without holding back, is a true act of courage. I gave my love without conditions. I spoke my truth even when it scared me. I showed up authentically, hoping for the same in return. But sometimes, despite our best intentions, others don’t meet us halfway. They may not understand, appreciate, or even respect the love and honesty we offer. This can leave us feeling hurt, confused, and questioning our worth. That’s a hard place to be, but it’s also a powerful moment of growth. Lessons I Learned Honesty is Strength, Not Weakness Being truthful about your feelings, even when it’s difficult, is an act of self-respect. It builds inner strength and helps create genuine connections. Boundaries Protect Your Well-Being Love doesn’t mean losing yourself. Setting clear boundaries ensures you don’t give so much that you’re left em...

Burnout Isn’t Just About Doing Too Much: Sometimes It’s the Little Things That Break Us We often think burnout comes from doing too much, too many hours, too many tasks, too many expectations. But sometimes, it’s not the major deadlines or packed schedules that wear us down. Sometimes, burnout creeps in through the tiniest cracks. It’s the hundred small decisions before breakfast. The invisible emotional labor of comforting others while suppressing your own needs. It’s waking up already tired, feeling like no matter how much you rest, the weight hasn’t lifted. The Invisible Load That No One Sees Burnout doesn’t always look like exhaustion from overworking. It can be: Making constant decisions for others, what to eat, when to speak, how to respond Being emotionally available to everyone but yourself Carrying the mental list of things to remember, fix, or feel guilty about Smiling through emotional discomfort just to keep the peace These aren’t the kinds of tasks you...

Grateful for Today: Finding Joy in the Everyday Moments In the rush of daily responsibilities, we often overlook the small, quiet moments that bring us peace. But what if the key to a more fulfilling life isn’t found in major milestones but in the ordinary beauty that surrounds us every day? Gratitude is a quiet revolution. It doesn’t demand grand gestures. It simply asks us to notice. Why Everyday Gratitude Matters Waking up to a new day may feel routine, but it’s actually a gift. The breath in your lungs, the sunlight filtering through your window, the sound of birds or quiet stillness, these are the subtle reminders that life is unfolding. Gratitude grounds us. It slows our minds and reminds us that joy isn’t something we chase, it’s something we notice. When we pause to give thanks, even briefly, we shift from survival mode into presence. We start to feel connected instead of scattered. Calm instead of chaotic. Simple Ways to Practice Daily Gratitude You don’t need a perfec...

The Quiet Shift: From Daily Presence to Occasional Check-ins There comes a time in motherhood when the daily routines, school drop-offs, shared meals, bedtime stories, gradually fade. Suddenly, the house is quieter, the days longer, and your role less defined. This transition, often referred to as the "empty nest," can evoke a complex mix of emotions. Navigating the Emotional Landscape The shift from constant caregiving to a quieter household can lead to: Emotional emptiness : A sense of loss as daily interactions diminish. Identity questions : Wondering who you are beyond the role of a mother. Social withdrawal : Feeling isolated without the regular social interactions that parenting often brings. These feelings are valid and common. Recognizing them is the first step toward healing. Understanding the Mental Health Impacts Loneliness in this new phase isn't just about being alone; it's about feeling disconnected. It can manifest as: Depression : P...

The Healing Power of Pets: How Animals Improve Mental Health In our fast-paced and often stressful lives, the companionship of pets offers a unique and profound source of comfort. Beyond their playful antics and unconditional love, animals have been shown to provide significant mental health benefits, fostering emotional well-being and resilience. Me & Ash 1. Companionship That Eases Loneliness Pets offer unwavering companionship, which can alleviate feelings of loneliness and isolation. Their presence provides a sense of security and someone to share the day with, helping individuals feel needed and connected. 2. Stress Reduction Through Physical Interaction Engaging with pets, such as petting a dog or cat, has been shown to lower cortisol levels—a hormone associated with stress—and increase the release of oxytocin, promoting relaxation and bonding. 3. Encouragement of Routine and Responsibility Caring for a pet introduces structure to daily life, as feeding, grooming, and exer...

The Weight of Doing What You Must: Coping with Mental Health Struggles in Unfulfilling Work Life often demands that we do things we don’t necessarily want to do, jobs we don’t enjoy, tasks that drain us, or routines that feel heavy on our hearts. For many, this isn’t a short phase but a long stretch, and it takes a toll on mental health in ways that aren’t always visible. Why Unfulfilling Work Affects Mental Health Working in an environment or role that doesn’t resonate with your values or passions can lead to feelings of emptiness, exhaustion, and even despair. Over time, this emotional weight can manifest as: Chronic stress and anxiety Loss of motivation and self-worth Feeling trapped or hopeless Physical symptoms like fatigue and insomnia Acknowledging this struggle is the first step toward healing. You’re not alone in feeling this way. Strategies to Manage the Weight Even if you must continue in this role for now, there are ways to protect your mental well-being...