14 October 2023 , 07:00
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Olivia Bowen has admitted she's suffered from severe anxiety since becoming a mum.
The former Love Island star became a mum for the first time last year when she welcomed son Abel into the world with her husband and fellow Islander Alex. She has been candid with her followers about her experiences with motherhood and has revealed she is having therapy. Olivia has confessed there have been many challenges since having her first child, despite it being the "most amazing thing".
Speaking to The Mirror, Olivia opened up on the first year of motherhood. She shared: "I suffered quite badly with anxiety previously but becoming a mum has heightened it a lot more. I have severe anxiety and I recently went back to a therapist. I now go to therapy once or twice in a month or one in a week. That has been really hard for me because I changed around the people that I love. It has been a really difficult challenge especially when you are trying to be a happy mum."
Olivia has admitted becoming a mum has been a 'really difficult challenge'
She welcomed son Abel with husband AlexOlivia added: "It is very difficult to have those worries but I really do believe that therapy should be spoken about more and not have that stigma around it. It has been so helpful to me just talking to someone and asking for help." The reality TV star, who recently celebrated her fifth wedding anniversary with Alex, said she has an "amazing support network".
"I am very close with my family, they are my absolute rocks," she said. "I have been in touch with [Made In Chelsea's] Ashley James, who I have asked a lot of questions. She has been really honest about motherhood and gives me the best advice." Reflecting on how the past year has been, Olivia added: "When you are in that newborn phase it is so hard and you are always learning. It has been the most amazing thing, but it has been such a lifestyle change so I really had to adapt to a different way of life. It is so rewarding but it is so hard."
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Olivia has partnered with Philips Lumea, who found almost a quarter of women spend less than an hour a week on themselves without distractions. She wants to encourage women to make time for themselves in an effort to feel mentally and physically healthier. "You do lose yourself a bit in motherhood, I feel like I am coming back into myself and finding myself again," she admitted.
"You are still a person that deserves that and I know we all live for our kids but you should still have stuff for you and that will in turn make you happy. If you are happy it makes the people around you happy, it's just a big circle that's so important." Olivia added: "It is so important to have me-time and your me-time just depends on the person that you are. I find it sad that women are not getting that time to themselves that is so needed for us."
Philips Lumea IPL 9900 Series, can be found at Philips.co.uk
*If you are struggling with mental health, you can speak to a trained advisor from Mind mental health charity on 0300 123 3393 or email [email protected]