Mommy burnout is real and it happens more often than not. No matter how much information we have on handling it or taking care of stress, it becomes an inevitable part of a mother’s life. And there comes days when we cannot handle being a parent anymore. But should we let it dictate our lives and push us to a zone from which we cannot escape? The answer is no!
Children, especially younger kids are entirely dependent on us for their survival. It is unfair on our part to not try our best to provide them with all they deserve. Also, as they grow older, they require a stable environment for overall growth. But if we are not in a good state of mind, we can hardly nurture and participate in raising strong children both physically and emotionally. So, the foremost requirement is to understand what is lacking and to tackle it for a better future for everyone.
Let’s go through a few signs to understand if you are on the verge of having a mental and emotional breakdown. It will help you in identifying issues and working towards making your situation better.
Signs That You are Experiencing Mommy Burnout
1. Feeling Extremely Disorganised
If you are not being able to cope with your daily routine and each task looks humongous, chances are you are immensely stressed. Right from morning till night, if most of your tasks remain undone and you are finding it difficult to manage them, it hints at added stress. The work might not even be a lot on better days, but may seem never-ending to you now! It is a clear indication that you need to relax and seek help. During this stage, you will try to continuously fix things, and when you cannot, it will result in a breakdown.
2. Not Enjoying Spending Time with Your Kids
When we first laid our eyes on our babies, our heart was overwhelmed with unconditional love. But now, your kids might feel like a burden. You might keep on questioning yourself why you even had kids. Also, the guilt will always hurt you for thinking that way. You might not be looking forward to spending time with your kids as opposed to earlier times. It is a big sign of mommy burnout and reveals it clearly that you need ample rest and support.
3. Feeling Sick and Achy All Over
When our mental and emotional health is superior, we feel energetic and optimistic towards life. But stress and strain can lead to lethargy and more aches overall. Women do have body pain following pregnancy, but if it persists and comes in the way of day-to-day functioning, it is a matter of concern. Also, feeling low most of the time, with little energy left, indicates a deeper issue.
4. Extreme Mood Fluctuations Can Mean a Mommy Burnout
It is common knowledge that women go through a lot of hormonal changes during and after pregnancy. I don’t want to go deep into postpartum depression or other mental health issues here. Neither am I mentioning hormonal changes here. Many times, mood swings might not have to do anything with hormonal changes in women. It might be because of having too much on her plate. Being overwhelmed with all the responsibilities of motherhood can put a lot of pressure on women. Added stress, such as managing a house, career, or financial struggles can make it worse. If you feel mood swings a lot of the time and you are aware that it is more than just hormonal changes, it is necessary to ask for help.
5. Snapping at Your Partner and Kids
Are you getting angry at your partner or your kids more often than not? And later feel guilty for stretching an issue too much. If so, then yes, you do need a time-out! You do need to take care of yourself and relax more often. We tend to get irritated and annoyed at people around us if we are not feeling good. We also tend to pick at every small thing which we might otherwise overlook or handle differently. Mental and physical exhaustion can make you yell more than you want.
It is not the way to live or raise kids. Neither you nor the people you love deserve such an environment at home. Not only will it hamper your mental peace but also create a negative impact on your near or dear ones.
How to Prevent Stress
If you are going through this phase, all is not lost! You can regain your life back and become a healthier and fitter mother. Acknowledging that you are expressing difficulties is the first step towards recovery. I have pointed out a few ways you can handle the situation to get your life back.
1. Seek Help
Talk to a friend or your partner about your emotional and physical health. If the need arises, do take the help of a professional. It is crucial to open up to people who love and support you so that you can face any challenge in a better way.
2. Start a Fitness Routine
Though it might look like a lot but getting a little exercise can elevate your mood and provide more stamina. Even a simple walk outside the house can do wonders for your emotional well-being. If you can find a walking partner, that’s even better as you can stay more motivated.
3. Take Care of Yourself
One of the main reasons for stress in women is the fact that we forget to take care of ourselves. Start looking after yourself and dedicate time for grooming and exercise. Self-care can help you bounce back and regain your mental strength.
4. Work as a Team with Your Spouse
We cannot deny that parenting is a tough job. And taking more than we can handle can create a lot of stress. Talk to your partner and divide your responsibilities so that the family is taken care of without unnecessary strain on the mother.
Motherhood is full of ups and downs, and many times we might doubt ourselves. But do take it easy and forgive yourself more. We all are learning in our journey, and we are doing better than we might admit.
Do share your doubts in the comments. And also how you make your life smoother and easier? If you liked this article, please share it!
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