For moms, stress and anxiety just come with the job. And experts say, sometimes, that’s not a bad thing!”It turns out, anxiety is actually really important,” said Dr. Natalie Feldman, a psychiatrist at Mass General Brigham. “It’s the way that your brain tries to keep bad things from happening. Anxiety is your brain making sure you’ve thought about, ‘Did I pack my kids’ lunch?’ ‘Are they going to run across the street?’ The problem is when worry gets out of control.”Feldman said keeping that anxiety under control can start with asking yourself some simple questions: Is my worry realistic?Is it something that’s actually likely to happen?Can I do something about it?If the answer to those questions is “no,” Feldman said to try to redirect your concerns. Something as simple as getting outside in the sunlight and fresh air every day can be a good way to reset. She added that if stress and worry are present all the time, and if you can’t think about anything else, it’s time to ask for help. And there’s no shame in that. “This is a medical condition,” Feldman said. “It’s common, and we can treat it.”

BOSTON —

For moms, stress and anxiety just come with the job.

And experts say, sometimes, that’s not a bad thing!

“It turns out, anxiety is actually really important,” said Dr. Natalie Feldman, a psychiatrist at Mass General Brigham. “It’s the way that your brain tries to keep bad things from happening. Anxiety is your brain making sure you’ve thought about, ‘Did I pack my kids’ lunch?’ ‘Are they going to run across the street?’ The problem is when worry gets out of control.”

Feldman said keeping that anxiety under control can start with asking yourself some simple questions:

  • Is my worry realistic?
  • Is it something that’s actually likely to happen?
  • Can I do something about it?

If the answer to those questions is “no,” Feldman said to try to redirect your concerns. Something as simple as getting outside in the sunlight and fresh air every day can be a good way to reset.

She added that if stress and worry are present all the time, and if you can’t think about anything else, it’s time to ask for help.

And there’s no shame in that.

“This is a medical condition,” Feldman said. “It’s common, and we can treat it.”