9 Tips to avoid mom burnout

How can you tell if you have burnout?

In the past few years, there has been a lot of talk about how currently everybody, especially mothers, can become burnt out. Check out the symptoms and red flags below to know if you might have it.

• Mental exhaustion.
• Irritability.
• Social isolation, even from your family and children.
• Feeling guilty towards your children.  
• Overthinking about the future.
• Constant stress.
• Experiencing continuous mom rage.
• Feeling distant from your husband.
• Inability to ask for help.
• Feeling not enough as a mother, wife, and employee.

How to prevent burnout and overcome it

Avoid comparisons

Comparisons are exhausting, stressful, and depressing for moms. With so much sharing on social media, moms tend to compare themselves to other moms, as they watch well-filtered images and experiences that seem positive. Don’t compare yourself to other mothers, whether in daily life or on social media accounts, you are special and are doing the best you can to make your family happy.

Eat healthily

Don’t be surprised! There is a magical connection between your brain and your gut. Several recent medical studies have proven the impact food has on our mental health. Eating junk food, and foods rich in sugars and trans fats increases anxiety and emotional fatigue. This also causes weight gain that negatively affects health and decreases self-esteem. Follow a healthy diet based on vegetables and healthy proteins for better physical and mental health.

Workout

Working out is very beneficial for your mind and body and helps rid you of emotional burdens. Yoga also helps in decreasing stress and anxiety; it also clears your mind and reduces burnout.

Connect with your friends

The 70-year-long Harvard study on happiness showed that the one thing happy people had in common regardless of their age, social class, or financial status, was that they were surrounded by people who love and support them. Build a community of friends, with whom you have a lot in common, maintain a healthy connection with them, and see them whenever you can.

Get enough sleep

Getting enough sleep is essential for the health of your body and mind. It is one of the key elements in preventing and beating burnout. We know that motherhood responsibilities, and your baby’s sleep pattern, might prevent you from sleeping enough, but try to sleep when you can, and avoid staying late in front of the TV or on your phone.

Schedule time for yourself

Whether it is to practice a favorite hobby, do your skin-care routine, read, or watch your favorite show. Whether it is 30 minutes a day or two hours a week, make sure to get this quality time for yourself to prevent burnout and depression.

Nurture your marriage

Parenting, life responsibilities, the demanding job, couples tend to neglect their relationship. Therefore, make sure to spend quality time with your husband for at least half an hour daily, and have a regular date-night weekly or monthly. Keep communication open, and don’t let your romance fade and disappear.

Ask for help

Don’t fall into the trap of super mama, and don’t believe that your superpowers will save you from burnout. Ask for help in caring for your kids, cleaning the house, cooking, and in all your other endless tasks. No one can do it alone and not be burnt out, so get help!

Journal

Journaling is essential for mental health. Write down your tasks to reduce stress and anxiety. Write down your feelings to avoid emotional exhaustion that leads to burnout. Write down your achievements to increase your self-esteem, and to be motivated and energetic.

Dear mom, caring for your mental health and saving yourself from burnout isn’t any less than caring for your family, marriage, and career.