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10 Tips To Avoid Mom Burnout 

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It doesn’t matter if your child is a newborn or you have teenagers – mom burnout is real, and it can happen to anyone. What are the signs of burnout? You are likely experiencing burnout if you feel exhausted, overwhelmed and frustrated with all of the obligations of being a mom. If you are burned out, it affects more than just you – it has an impact on your children’s wellbeing, your relationship with your partner and your household overall.

 

Here are a some signs to lookout for:

  • Increased headaches
  • Still feeling tired after solid sleep
  • Getting sick more often than usual
  • Losing your temper more than usual
  • Loss of motivation (even for things you love the most)

 

If you’re a brand new mom or just had another baby, give yourself a little time to adjust. However, a sudden change or increase in these behaviors isn’t healthy. These tips can provide life balance and help you maintain your sanity. We hope you’ll sit back and pour yourself a cup of coffee (or tea) while reading! 

 

  1. Communicate what you’re feeling

Sharing your feelings might feel harder than actually admitting you are burned out, but your family can’t read your mind and see the exhaustion building on the inside. If you really want to recover from mom burnout, you need to first express that you are overwhelmed. Talking about it can help put things into perspective for everyone.

 

  1. Ask for help and say no

If you notice that your list of to-dos or the amount of information floating in your head is becoming too much, it is time to ask for help or say no to some requests. Ask your partner to stop at the store after work, so that you don’t have to struggle to find time to pick up the eggs. Pass on the next school parent volunteer work – there will be other opportunities. You are one person, and you can’t do it all. 

 

  1. Trust your intuition  

Moms are faced with many decisions daily. Try not to stress over every single choice you have to make. Allow intuition to be your guide – and trust that it won’t let you down. Spend your energy on those choices that are most important and give less of yourself to the choices that will have less impact on your world.

 

  1. Step back

You don’t always have to entertain your children. Playing alone develops a strong sense of social independence in children that will help them feel comfortable in any situation. By letting your children play by themselves, you are allowing them to build up their own skills of working independently and decision making. 

 

  1. Schedule “you” time

Sounds wonderful, but how can you actually do it? Moms tend to push ourselves to the bottom of the list, and before we know it another day has gone by with no time for you. Prioritize yourself, and honor the commitment. Physically write some you-time into your schedule and follow through guilt-free. Read a book, watch your favorite show or take a long bath.

 

  1. Take a social media timeout

Comparison is the thief of joy and it is so easy to compare your life to the unrealistic expectations of what we see on social media. This is only a recipe for disaster and it can make you feel like you are never doing enough.

 

  1. Spend time outside

Try to spend some time outside. Whether you spend the day at home or work, try to spend a few moments connecting with nature and marvel at its simplicity and peacefulness. Take a few moments to mindfully take awareness of your surroundings. Breath the fresh air deeply and notice the breeze, sounds and beauty.

 

  1. Focus on what you do accomplish

Moms seem to have an inner critic who never rests. This makes you question your performance as a parent. That constant criticism isn’t good for anyone and makes you feel like you’re failing. Remind yourself that you’re doing a great job.

 

  1. Girl talk with your friends

Take a moment to catch up with your bestie – the one that makes your snort because you’re laughing so hard. Whether it’s a phone call, FaceTime or a night out, your lady tribe will breathe life into you and remind you how much fun you are! 

 

  1. Lookout for burnout signs

The continual demands of being a mom can easily lead to stress and burnout. If you don’t take breaks, get sleep and have others helping you out, it really adds up. As much as you love your children, parenting can take its toll on you. Look for the warning signs so you can get back to being a happy mom. 

 

Some days you’ll feel like you’re barely keeping your head above water, but you can’t win every battle. We hope these tips are good reminders that help you avoid burnout.

 

5 Tips For Mom Self-Care During the Holidays 

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Moms know all too well the eternal struggle to prioritize self-care and how it can be a really tough thing to master without guilt. Especially this time of year, the pressure to create magical family holiday memories can be enough to run any mom ragged, let alone the daily tasks of managing a household and raising little ones.

 

With all the coordination and anticipation that happens during the season of giving, stress can really creep up and weigh you down. Now is the perfect time to prioritize your own health and wellness.

 

If you are looking for inspiration for finding moments for self-care that can make a big difference, here are some ways that you can prioritize yourself this holiday season.

 

  1. Start small. Take your regular, everyday life and add extra delight where you can. Light your favorite scented candle in your kitchen. Switch out your morning shower for an evening bath. While you’re out shopping for stocking stuffers, grab a drugstore facemask. Little personal moments of goodness can lift your spirits just enough to get you through one more Christmas card addressing session.

 

  1. You don’t have to do everything, and refuse to feel guilty about it. With so many activities to choose from and the countless demands of family members, it can all become too much, too quickly. Rather choose to do less, and pick activities that will bring you the most joy. Tell the FOMO (fear of missing out) Monster that lives in your brain to take a load off. Choosing to focus on a few activities will allow you to celebrate, but also have the much-needed downtime. Strive to find quality time together, rather than rushing around and trying to fit too much in.

 

  1. Calm your mind with journaling. Getting things down on paper can be a great way to feel like you have things in order. Journaling is not only practical, but has many amazing benefits for your mental health as well. Choose a journal that inspires you. Think about what your goals are for this holiday season and what is going to be truly meaningful for you and your family. If you take on too much, the real meaning of the holidays can easily become lost. Therefore, use your journal to help keep you in check. Also, write daily affirmations. This practice will help you remember what there is to be thankful for and bring you happiness this season. 

 

  1. Take a social media break. They say comparison is the thief of joy, and social media can be a trigger during the holidays. Take a pause from comparing your decorations to the neighbor’s down the street, which can plant seeds of self-doubt. If you start to feel less than, that’s your cue to log out of your accounts for a few days, a week or however long feels right to you. You’ll thank yourself and more than likely enjoy social media more when you go back online after a holiday hiatus. 

 

  1. Buy yourself a gift. Why not treat yourself — self-love is the best gift of all. Moms often think about themselves last and forget that you should be on your own holiday list. It’s not selfish to take a moment to pamper yourself with a massage, the latest skincare routine or a cozy new set of pj’s and slippers for winter. 

 

This time of the year can truly be the best time of the year. But it can also kind of be stressful if you let everyone take from you without giving to yourself. When making your list don’t forget to check it twice and make sure you’re at the top!