Moms wear so many hats. We’re expected to do all the things and be available at all times. I’m sharing tips for how I try to avoid stress and avoid mom burnout plus tips for coping when things get hard.
Being a parent requires a high level of energy. I can’t tell you how many days my kids’ energy has surpassed me. As each day passes your kids get older and have more needs. I literally think that requesting an endless amount of snacks is for sure one of their top needs.
As a parent, we’re equipped to continue carrying on even when we’ve reached our limit in stress levels. Mom burnout is a real thing and it’s about time we started talking about it. Social media makes things look glamorous when in reality that’s not always the case behind closed doors. As I write this I’m sitting on my couch with a baby clinging to my arm while he’s napping because that’s the only way he knows how to fall asleep. I’m struggling to find a comfortable position and honestly my productivity is struggling.
My husband is out of town for work this week and I’m hanging on to the little energy and patience I have left to make it through the week with these kids. I think moms are afraid to admit that sometimes being and doing it all is exhausting.
Today I’m going to share a few warning signs of mom burnout and a few ways you can cope with this far too common struggle among moms.
Warning Signs of Mom Burnout
Everything is a Blur
Sis, you ever had those days where everything just meshed together and you couldn’t keep a single thing straight? You can’t seem to remember what day it is or what you did this morning. When you get up to do something, you forget what it was while you’re walking to go do it. Mom brain is for real a thing. Everything in life starts to become a blur as you feel so overwhelmed from the responsibilities of mom life. I’ve been there too. I’m still here, and honestly I don’t see that changing anytime soon. It’s a side effect of being a mom and trying to achieve that work life balance that we all want so badly.
Increased Irritability
I had to get my anxiety quickly in check. After going through the process of healing from my postpartum depression, I realized that some days I was still incredibly irritable. I hated myself like that. It wasn’t the person I knew and loved. Something had to change. If you’re frequently agitated by the simplest of things and even your kids may start to ask why you’re so snippy and irritable with them for no good reason, it’s probably a sign that you’re burnt out and need to drop some things off your plate.
Complete Exhaustion
I know as moms we say we’re tired all the time but being exhausted is a completely different story. Being tired more often than not and have difficulties staying awake during hours that you were normally pretty active in is a major sign of burnout.
Experience Feelings of Guilt
That mom guilt is a sucky thing. Have you ever noticed that you have an increased sense of guilt about everything? I’ve been there. There’ve been days where I’ve felt guilty about the smallest things and looking back now I realize how insignificant it was. The guilt makes no sense when you sit and think about it logically.
Sigh Frequently
A less obvious warning sign of mom burnout is the frequent sighing. This could be in response to trying to constantly calm your irritability or exhaustion.
Always Feeling a Need to Escape
If you’re always wanting to get away from your kids or family, then you’re more than likely experiencing mom burnout. Take sometime for yourself to re-evaluate your priorities and do a little self care. It’s good for the soul and can help you reset.
How to Deal with Mom Burnout
Ask for Help
I learned a long time ago that you’re only doing yourself a disservice by not asking for help. There’s nothing wrong with experiencing mom burnout. You’re not the first mom to be burnt out and you’re definitely not the last. This happens to the best of us. If you find that you’re experiencing some of the warning signs for mom burnout, then it’s time to ask for help. Get out of your own way and ask your family to help out with some of your parental duties as you work to recollect yourself.
Check your Priorities
Take a moment to write down everything that you do in a days time. Look at this list and think about tasks that you can delegate to other people or tasks that aren’t necessarily required in your everyday life. Minimizing the number of responsibilities you have each day will help you cope and find your way back to a more stable state of mind.
Get Alone Time
There’s nothing better than spending time with yourself mama. Switch up your daily routine so that you get some time in the morning with complete silence before anyone else wakes up. I started doing this and it was a huge game changer for me. You may even want to end your day like this to help cope with the burnout. It’ll allow your brain some time to relax and start the day off on a good foot.
Have you ever experienced mom burnout? How did you cope with it?
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