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STRESS & BURNOUT

Stress and burnout are closely linked, and unfortunately very common in today's fast-paced society. Whether working, staying at home, or doing a bit of both, mothers likely know these feelings quite well. Moms often feel pressure to be the lifeline of the household, as if they are expected to do and think of everything not only for themselves, but for all of their family members. This constant demand puts a lot of stress on the mind and body, negatively impacting physical health and emotional well-being, and eventually leading to feelings of burnout- a state of complete mental, physical, and emotional exhaustion. Essentially, when someone reaches the point of burnout, it can feel like they’ve had the life sucked out of them. They may no longer feel capable of keeping up with anything that they deem important.

 

Mothers suffering from chronic stress and resulting burnout often report many of the following symptoms:

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  • Fatigue or exhaustion

  • Loss of motivation, passion, and drive

  • Poor concentration

  • Appetite changes

  • Digestive upset

  • Poor physical health or frequent illness

  • Headaches or muscle pain

  • Conflict in close relationships

  • Feelings of emptiness

  • Emotional outbursts or strong feelings of anger and resentment

Left untreated, these symptoms can lead to what you often fear the most- inability to be your best self as a parent, employee, spouse, or contributor to the family as a whole. You can be faced with sleep disturbances, family and marital issues, difficulty carrying out daily activities, loss of self esteem and motivation, and an inability to fulfill your responsibilities at home, work, or school. Mothers who experience stress to the level of burnout can also experience feelings of hopelessness, overwhelm, shame, and guilt.

 

While it seems like your stress may have no end in site, and you cannot possibly get away from your feelings of burnout, there are numerous tools that can help teach you how to go through this busy time in your life in a more functional and manageable way. My preferred methods for dealing with stress and burnout in mothers is through the use of ACT, Mindfulness, and the development of peer support. ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) allows us to accept our particular circumstances and feelings during this admittedly difficult time in our lives, and commit to changing the way in which we perceive and interact with our environment. Mindfulness training teaches mothers the importance of healthy boundaries and self care and gives them instruction on how to stay focused on the moment, how to take things in stride, relaxation exercises, and gratitude expressions. Finally, developing outside sources of true support is crucial for mothers so that they feel validated and connected to others, especially those going through similar circumstances.

 

Facing and conquering your stress as a mother and the overwhelming burnout that you feel may seem impossible, but I promise there is hope and that you possess the strength needed to begin this journey.

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