We all suffer from burnout at one point in life. We completely spread ourselves too thin when it comes to work-life and parenting. Getting burnt to a crust is no joke neither does getting those panic attacks when things don’t turn out as you had hoped.
Burnout is a state of emotional and physical exhaustion often brought about by frustration and cumulative stress.
So, are you the kind of mum that always gets everything done in the right way and in the correct time? Do you often feel like everything needs to be done and should be urgent regardless of it being simple or complex? Here are some of the signs you should look out for;
- Feeling emotionally detached from your children.
- Feeling like everything you do is not up to par.
- Feeling resentful and frustration clouds you.
- Feeling demotivated all the time.
- You forget to take care of yourself.
Luckily, there are things you can do to help you handle burnout;
- Ask for help
Being vulnerable can be loosely translated to weakness but it’s really not. Having that outlet where you channel all your anxiety really helps. You can get together with other mums and air your frustrations. You would be pleasantly surprised at how that weight would be lifted off your shoulders especially when you learn that other mums are battling or have gone through messier issues too.
- Focus on yourself
Create a schedule that accommodates your self- care too. Start by having enough sleep, make healthier food choices, soak yourself in the tub and take the longest bath. The point is, you need to get away from everything because you also need a minute to help you rejuvenate, allowing you to focus better on you and your children.
- Do not be afraid to fail
It is so typical of every parent to want to give their best in everything they put their hands on. You try to achieve perfection but that road only leads to depression, anxiety, and finally a bunch of missed opportunities. You can never have it all and that is life, failing in some areas is totally fine.
- Applaud yourself
In most cases, people tend to beat themselves down for everything that goes wrong and forget to notice that one thing that went right. Form a habit of writing down everything that goes right for you in a day. It’s called the power of positivity. It really helps in boosting your emotions thus lowering your stress levels. Besides, patting yourself on the back boosts your confidence.
- Teach your children how to be independent
Simple life skills like brushing their teeth, organizing their toys once they are done playing, clearing their plate, really goes a long way in making your life easier. Not only does it teach them to be responsible in life but it also helps you form a routine that helps you and your children manage your time and daily expectations.
- Try to be optimistic
Optimistic people do not dwell much on what goes wrong in their daily lives but rather, they keep hoping for better results. Keeping hope alive always helps you in keeping stress at bay and as a result, you lead a happier and healthier life.
- Set achievable goals daily
Always set goals that won’t be too strenuous for you. Try to achieve them as much as you can but also don’t beat yourself up if you don’t. Push forward the remaining tasks and ensure you get them done before starting on new ones. This helps in avoiding burnout by not being overly ambitious.
You need to realize that just because you can do something doesn’t mean that you should. Thinking of what needs to be fixed next even before you are done with the task at hand is totally putting yourself in shackles that are only self-limiting. Juggling workload from the office and also meeting everyone’s emotional need at home can be overwhelming. Burnout is not something that should be ignored it puts you and your loved ones at risk. Try to reach for that low hanging fruit to survive. Take control and start toasting to self-love.