Mom Burnout Is Real: Here’s How to Take Care of Your Mental Health

Are you a first-time mom who finds it difficult to stay happy and peaceful? Do you struggle to think straight and handle situations calmly? If yes, you’re experiencing “mom burnout”.

Mom burnout is a real state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion caused by stress from parenting demands. Common symptoms include chronic fatigue, irritability, and feeling overwhelmed or disconnected from one’s children.

However, while this condition is real, it is also preventable and we’re going to tell you how. From support systems to getting therapy for women, here are tried and tested ways to take care of your mental health. Read more!

• Take Care of Yourself

The first step is to acknowledge mom burnout. As the primary caregiver, it can be hard to accept that you are exhausted and need help. You keep pushing yourself to do better, which only worsens the situation. 

So, keep track of mom burnout symptoms and go easy on yourself. When you feel overly tired and irritable, know that it’s time to take a break. Remember, taking care of yourself is the only way to take better care of your family. 

• Create a Support System

You are responsible for raising your child properly. This means you need to provide them with the best physical, mental, and emotional support. But you don’t need to do it 24/7.

It’s okay to let your partner or parents take care of your child. Be it changing diapers or cooking meals, know that there are loved ones around you who would love to help you. Let them be your support system. 

If you’re a single parent who doesn’t have an immediate support system, create one by sharing your struggles with friends. Connect with people who understand your problems, actively listen to you, and are ready to provide a helping hand.

• Have Your Time 

Most mothers forget their past lives after having babies. They get busy looking after the kids, arranging for their needs, and worrying about their well-being. Every second is spent being a mom.

But don’t forget you have interests and hobbies, too. To stay healthy, you need to spend some time on yourself. This can be watching your favorite show, going shopping, or even taking a long shower. 

• Regulate Your Nerves

Sometimes, you just can’t control the rage inside you at all. You feel angry, frustrated, and awfully miserable. You may start to question your choice of motherhood, too. In these situations, the best solution is to regulate your nerves. You must learn to recognize your triggers (like lack of sleep) and self-regulate to avoid this flight-and-fight mode. 

For example, consider walking out of the room that evokes such feelings. Or try box breathing—a technique where you exhale, inhale until the count of 4, hold your breath until the count of 4, exhale slowly, hold your breath until the count of 4, and then repeat. 

• Seek Counseling & Therapy 

Before you go, we want to emphasize that there is no shame in seeking therapy. Motherhood is a very difficult challenge, and most of us carry emotional baggage from the past. It may be your relationship with your mother or ongoing marriage issues. 

Perhaps you are not doing too well in your career. There are a lot of factors that can secretly build up to cause mom burnout. You are simply dealing with way too much. Allow a professional to help you and make this journey easier. 

A counselor or therapist can actively listen to your worries, advise you on important aspects, and help you gain mental and emotional clarity. This can ultimately help you become a happier mom.