Why You Feel Guilty Resting in Motherhood (And Why You Don't Have to Earn It)

Do you ever sit down to rest... only to feel like you should be doing something else?In this Moment, Zoe is joined by psychologist and author Dr Nicola Jane Hobbs to explore why so many mothers struggle to slow down. The answer isn't that you're lazy, bad at resting or doing motherhood wrong. It's that your nervous system has learnt that being busy feels safe.Together they explore why matrescence can feel like such a shock to our system, how years of rushing make stillness feel unfamiliar, and why learning to weave tiny moments of slowness into your day can help your nervous system feel calmer, safer and more regulated.Nicola also shares a beautiful redefinition of rest: it's not just lying down or getting more sleep. Rest is anything that helps your nervous system switch off its stress response.If you've ever struggled with mum guilt or burnout, or found it impossible to truly relax, this conversation will completely change the way you think about rest.💡 In this episode, you’ll learn:Why your nervous system can experience slowing down as a threatWhy rest feels so uncomfortable after becoming a mumTiny ways to teach your nervous system that slowness is safeA new definition of rest that actually feels achievable in motherhoodWhy resting benefits both you and your childrenWatch every full episode on YouTube and subscribe. Loved this episode?Follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode of Motherkind. It helps more mothers find the show and keeps our community growing.If you enjoyed this moment, you can listen to the full episode here:  If you want to become an instantly relaxed mother, listen to this.Feeling different since becoming a mother? Get clarity on who you’re becoming now and download your FREE Matrescence Cheat SheetConnect with Zoe:Follow Zoe on Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTokGet Zoe’s Sunday Times bestselling book, 'Motherkind: A New Way to Thrive in a World of Endless Expectations’This Motherkind episode is sponsored by:Headline sponsor Wild Nutrition, the brand raising the bar for women’s supplements. Want to feel the Food-Grown difference yourself? Get 50% off for three months at wildnutrition.com/motherkind. Ts and Cs apply.Jurassic Oceans Exhibition at The Natural History Museum. Kids go half price.