I feel terrible in saying this but since my kids stopped school/nursery at the end of June they've really been making my anxiety and stress levels spike, to almost unbearable levels.
I've never been formally diagnosed with anxiety despite numerous trips to the GP as a teenager but I'm as certain as I can be without a formal diagnosis that I have anxiety. Social, health and GAD. mostly it's okay. I've learnt coping mechanisms and can usually manage it pretty well but these summer holidays have been next level.
My kids are 4 and 6, and very full on kids. They are full of energy from the moment they wake up at 6am until they go to bed. When they play nicely or quietly watch some TV/a film or drawing, whatever, then it's okay but when it's loud, running around, bouncing of the furniture kind of play then it's complete sensory overload for me and makes my anxiety rocket. They fight several times a day (as siblings do), talk non stop and don't seem to listen to me which feels like most of the time but if I'm being realistic then it's probably about 50/50. Normal kids stuff. But it just feels very intense.
I just can't seem to get a handle on my anxiety/stress levels when they kick off or don't listen. Obviously it isn't just them that is making me anxious at the moment. We are away on holiday soon and not only am I an anxious flyer (I had a panic attack on my last flight), I have all the stress of packing, organising the house so it's not a riot when we come back, making arrangements for the dog. There's also my 4yo starting school in August and he's nervous which is causing me to worry how he'll settle, albeit not outwardly to him. I'm also trying to put time and effort into my small business so that I can generate a decent income over the next 12-18 months. And then there's just all the other anxieties that I live with daily but are manageable until I feel overwhelmed! Oh, and I was woken up by my 4yo at 4am today and while he went back to sleep I couldn't so I'm exhausted.
I truly feel terrible that I can't seem to cope with my kids this summer. I love them, and even having them home with me, to bits. Other than trying to keep them even more entertained during the day (how??? Especially as the weather has been crap) what can I do myself to get back on top of this? Any supplements that help with mental health? Any good practices? I normally work out three times a week which helps but I've injured my shoulder so can't in the same way for a week or two.
TLDR: My kids are exacerbating my stress and anxiety levels while on school holidays and I feel terrible about it. It's making me feel physically ill and like a crap mum. Any simple suggestions on how I can get back on top of my anxiety?