After barely 2 hours of undisturbed nap, the alarm buzzed and you have no choice but to get out of bed. You started to cook breakfast and brew coffee when your newborn woke up again, for the nth time. Now, you heard your kids screaming “Mommy!” and you have to be finish everything else quickly… or else they might miss the bus. Your husband needs to go to work, too so you have to attend to everything they need — look for your toddler’s missing right shoe, feed your infant, and the list goes on.
Now, they left for school and work and you’re already exhausted. You look at the clock and it says that it’s just 7:00 AM.
Sounds familiar?
We know, most, if not all moms have been there but no matter how normal it is, that doesn’t mean you don’t have the right to feel exhausted or overwhelmed.
Mom burnout is a real thing and it’s happening to many moms worldwide.
You're Not Alone
Becoming a mom means dealing with many things — moving away from your family, raising an infant, keeping the household together, and a lot more. So, it’s no wonder why you’re pretty overwhelmed even when you’re just starting the day.
Feeling tired is a usual thing and it’s nothing to be ashamed about. It doesn’t mean that you don’t love your family, it’s just that you’re still a human being after all.
Acknowledging whatever it is you’re feeling is not just one way to survive but also to thrive. And of course, there are always more ways than one to avoid mom burnout, and I’ll share it below:
Have A Good Night Sleep
I know it’s easier said than done because if you have a lot of things on your plate, having a good night’s sleep is the last on your sleep. If you have an infant, slumbering is next to impossible.
But, no matter how tough things are, find ways on how you can prioritize sleep.
Personal Experience: As a mom and freelancer, it’s hard to manage time. You see, I take care of my kid in the morning and work late at night and I noticed how irritable I am with everything.
I’m also exhausted even after waking up and I read that depriving yourself of sleep is bad for your physical and mental health.
So, I changed my schedule. Instead of waking up at 1 in the morning, I get up at 5 in the morning so I can have a few hours for myself. I use this to finish some of my tasks. When my toddler wakes up, I’ll start doing chores and when he goes to school, I continue working. I also make sure to delegate some tasks to my husband.
Not depriving myself of having a good sleep has helped me in many ways, especially in improving my mental health.
Feed Your Tummy
As a mom, we’re used to eating a lot… of our kids’ leftovers. But seriously, treating yourself with the right amount and kind of food is important when you want to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
At home, be sure to prepare a healthy menu ahead of time so your body can have the energy it needs throughout the day. Also, when it’s your me-time, take yourself to your favorite restaurant and give in to your cravings.
Learn To Say No
You’ll never know how powerful it is to learn how to say no until you started doing it consistently.
As a mom, you have too many things on your plate already and if you give in to every request, you’ll be left with nothing, not even a single dose of energy.
Unless it’s something you want or need, something that makes you happy, or something that gives you energy, then ignore it.
Connect With Nature
We’ve all heard about the benefits of connecting with nature but have you taken advantage of it?
If not, then it’s time to head out to the beach, have a hike, or simply walk around the block. Breathe in some fresh air, take off your shoes, and just connect with the environment.
Call Your Girls
After becoming a mom, I almost forgot that there are still people I have to connect with outside home. The thought of dressing up and meeting friends is exhausting enough, let alone doing it actually.
But honestly, it feels good to talk with the old pals you had before becoming a mom. Sharing your stories, hearing their own journey can help release tension. So the next time you feel exhausted, call your girls and who knows, you might have the good laugh you need.
Meditate
With all the things going on your head, it’s hard to achieve a mentally stable state. However, learning how to practice mindfulness can help you have the peace you need.
If you’re new to this, there are a lot of guided meditation apps you can download. You can also try breathing exercises to reduce the stress you’re feeling.
Procrastinate
This one worked for me and I hope it will do the same for you, too. There are a lot of things to do — clean the dirty dishes, groceries, do the laundry, create a meal plan, and the list goes on and on.
I know how bad it is to not tick everything out on the list but instead of focusing on the things you were not able to do, acknowledge the things that you’ve accomplished. Pretty sure, you’ll be amazed at yourself.
And, if you don’t feel like washing the dishes, then don’t. It’s okay to procrastinate. Forget about it for a while and just enjoy the day drinking hot coffee and spending time with your little one.
These are just some of the things that will help you avoid mom burnout and if you have other suggestions, feel free to share it in our community (we need it!) or in the comment box below.
Have a great day!
