Mom Burnout

Being a mom can be one of the most fulfilling and rewarding experiences in life, but it can also be incredibly challenging and exhausting. The constant demands of caring for children, managing a household, and possibly holding down a job can take a toll on a mother’s physical, emotional, and mental health. If you’re a mom who’s feeling overwhelmed and exhausted, you may be experiencing “mom burnout.” In this blog post, we’ll explore the symptoms of mom burnout and offer practical tips for what to do about it.

What Is Mom Burnout?

You probably have heard about “mom burnout” but I like to define terms to make it easier to know what we’re even solving for. In this case, mom burnout is a type of exhaustion that occurs when you feel overwhelmed and depleted from the demands of daily life. This can include caring for your kids, managing your home, and any work outside the home. Mom burnout can leave you feeling physically, emotionally, and mentally drained. Yet, there is hope! That’s why it’s important to recognize the signs of mom burnout and take action to prevent and address it.

Symptoms of Mom Burnout

Mom burnout can manifest in a variety of ways, including physical, emotional, and behavioral symptoms. Here are some of the most common symptoms of mom burnout:

Physical Symptoms:

  1. Exhaustion: Feeling tired all the time, even after getting enough sleep.
  2. Insomnia: Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep.
  3. Headaches: Frequent headaches, often caused by stress and tension.

Emotional Symptoms:

  1. Anxiety: Feeling anxious or worried, sometimes to the point of panic.
  2. Irritability: Feeling easily irritated or angered by things that wouldn’t normally bother you.
  3. Depression: Feeling sad, hopeless, or helpless.

Behavioral Symptoms:

  1. Neglecting self-care: Not taking care of your own physical and emotional needs, such as eating well, exercising, and engaging in activities you enjoy.
  2. Difficulty with decision-making: Feeling indecisive and overwhelmed by even small decisions.
  3. Decreased productivity: Feeling like you’re not able to get as much done as you used to, or not being able to concentrate on tasks.

Here are additional resources to help with symptoms of mom burnout:

Causes of Mom Burnout

There are many factors that can contribute to mom burnout. Here are some of the most common causes:

  • Unrealistic expectations: Moms often put a lot of pressure on themselves to be perfect caregivers and homemakers. This can lead to unrealistic expectations and a feeling of failure when those expectations aren’t met.
  • Lack of support: Feeling like you’re doing everything on your own can be overwhelming and exhausting. It’s important to have a support system of family and friends who can help with childcare, household tasks, or just offer emotional support.
  • Overcommitment: Moms often have a lot on their plates, from caring for children to managing a household to possibly holding down a job. Overcommitting to too many activities or responsibilities can lead to burnout.
  • Difficulty setting boundaries: Moms often feel like they need to do everything for everyone else, which can lead to a lack of boundaries and a feeling of being pulled in too many directions.

If you resonate with these causes, it’s OKAY! This is not meant to be an invitation to beat yourself up about it. Instead, use it as an opportunity to bring more awareness to your life instead of to judge yourself. From awareness, you can change.

What To Do About Mom Burnout

If you’re experiencing mom burnout, there are steps you can take to address it and prevent it from happening in the future. While it’s not a “one time” thing, you can use these practices as you need them, whenever mom burnout arises.

Here are some tips for what to do about mom burnout:

1. Practice self-care: Taking care of yourself is essential for preventing and addressing mom burnout. This includes physical self-care, such as getting enough sleep, eating well, and exercising regularly. It also includes emotional self-care, such as practicing mindfulness, meditation, or engaging in activities you enjoy. Finally, it includes social self-care, such as connecting with friends, family, or a support group.

Resources:

2. Seek support: Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. Reach out to your partner, family, or friends for support with childcare or household tasks. Consider joining a support group for moms or seeking the help of a mental health professional if you’re experiencing symptoms of anxiety or depression. This is the work we do inside Grow You where I teach you how to coach yourself and understand your own thoughts and feelings. Explore the Grow You Membership here.

Resources:

3. Reevaluate commitments and set boundaries: It’s important to assess your current commitments and responsibilities and determine if any changes need to be made. Are there any activities or obligations that can be put on hold or delegated to someone else? Setting boundaries around your time and energy can help prevent burnout in the future.

Resources:

4. Practice mindfulness and gratitude: Practicing mindfulness, meditation, or gratitude can help reduce stress and increase feelings of well-being. Consider incorporating a mindfulness or gratitude practice into your daily routine, such as taking a few minutes each day to meditate or write down things you’re grateful for.

Resources:

A Final Note

Being a mom is hard work, and it’s normal to feel overwhelmed and exhausted at times. However, if you’re experiencing symptoms of mom burnout, it’s important to take action to address it and prevent it from happening in the future. By practicing self-care, seeking support, reevaluating commitments, and practicing mindfulness and gratitude, you can take steps to feel more balanced and fulfilled as a mom. Remember, taking care of yourself is essential for taking care of your family.