{"id":5404,"date":"2023-09-20T05:10:21","date_gmt":"2023-09-20T05:10:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/itsmooh.com\/?p=5404"},"modified":"2023-09-20T05:10:22","modified_gmt":"2023-09-20T05:10:22","slug":"self-care-self-care-routine-for-avoiding-burnout","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/itsmooh.com\/self-care-self-care-routine-for-avoiding-burnout\/","title":{"rendered":"Ways To Help You Avoid Mom Burnout & Improve Your Quality Of Life"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Ever had one of those days? When you wake up thirty minutes past your alarm\u2026 Your partner is out of town\u2026 The baby is crying\u2026 Your toddler spilled chocolate milk on their only clean school uniform\u2026 You forgot to switch the laundry (so your clothes smell a bit too mildewy)\u2026 And you forgot about the dentist appointment you\u2019re supposed to be at, like, now… <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2026Trust us, we\u2019ve all been there. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whether she realizes it or not, every mom carries the weight of the world on her shoulders. And therefore, it\u2019s incredibly easy to get burnt out. Many parents grappled with burnout during the pandemic<\/a>. However, a recent survey revealed that 66% of working parents<\/a> still feel burnt out, and \u2014 news flash \u2014 moms were at the top of that list. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Developing a self-care routine for avoiding burnout is a great way to ensure you\u2019re being the best mom you can be. If you need help getting started, keep scrolling for our top self-care tips for moms.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Essentially, mom burnout is a chronic state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion. It occurs whenever ongoing stress drains a mother\u2019s energetic resources, and it\u2019s exceedingly high<\/a> in moms with full-time careers or without a co-parent. Unfortunately, moms who feel burnt out have an increased risk<\/a> of mental health problems and familial or relational conflicts, which can diminish their overall well-being.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Because every mother is unique, symptoms<\/a> of mom burnout vary from person to person. Generally, they include:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Want to avoid mom burnout? Here are some ways to cultivate self-care for busy moms:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n When life gets busy, sleep is usually the first thing we sacrifice. However, research<\/a> proves time and time again that sleep is essential to both our physical and mental well-being. Not only does it boost our mood, but adequate sleep improves our brain performance and heals our bodies. Not to mention, sleep deprivation increases the risk<\/a> of many chronic health problems (ranging from heart disease and stroke to obesity and dementia). <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re struggling to fall or stay asleep, try optimizing your nighttime routine using these tactics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Regular exercise is one of the best mom self-care hacks. That\u2019s because physical activity reduces the body\u2019s stress hormones<\/a> (like adrenaline and cortisol) and releases endorphins \u2013 which are the body\u2019s natural painkillers and mood boosters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Social support<\/a> impacts a mother\u2019s health in a multitude of ways. For mothers who feel as though they aren\u2019t in control of their lives (which is a symptom of burnout), social networks can reduce stress and other mental health problems<\/a>. As a result, moms act more positively towards their children. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Additionally, social relationships protect a mother\u2019s physical, mental, and emotional well-being<\/a>, as they buffer stressors, reduce psychological distress, eliminate social isolation, and minimize depression and anxiety. Moms who don\u2019t have a social support system are at a higher risk<\/a> of developing mood and anxiety disorders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One study<\/a> tied social media use to decreased, disrupted, and delayed sleep \u2013 which is associated with depression, memory loss, and poor academic performance. Additionally, social media breeds comparison culture<\/a>, and seeking validation from the internet often replaces the meaningful connections moms could otherwise make in real life. Therefore, research<\/a> has confirmed that limiting social media decreases feelings of depression and loneliness.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Moms who live in individualistic cultures \u2014 rather than collective \u2014 are more likely<\/a> to suffer from mom burnout. So are low-income moms and those who are compensated for professional work done outside the home. However, by knowing their risk factors (or triggers), moms can readily identify what they\u2019re feeling and experiencing, which can foster positive change.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Eating a healthy diet of nutrient-dense foods \u2014 like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains \u2014 provides the fuel for exercise, reduces inflammation, and minimizes your risk of chronic diseases. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Additionally, the foods we consume directly affect our mental well-being, as over 90% of our serotonin<\/a> is produced by our gut bacteria. Serotonin<\/a> is a neurotransmitter that boosts mood, cognition, and memory, and low serotonin levels have been linked to depressive feelings<\/a>, sadness, and fatigue. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Therefore, moms should fuel their guts with prebiotics<\/a> (fruit, vegetables, and whole grains) and probiotics (fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, miso, tempeh, kombucha, gouda cheese, pickled vegetables, and cottage cheese) to boost serotonin levels.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Going to therapy for burnout is a great form of mom self-care. Not only are therapists impartial and easy to talk to, but they can provide tools to cope with the stressors of parenthood. Remember that you don\u2019t have to wait until you have a \u201creal problem\u201d to visit a therapist. Even regular, monthly check-ins are fantastic ways to clear your mind and refocus on what matters to you.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n As much as we\u2019d like to, it\u2019s impossible to do it all. And to avoid burning out, moms need to differentiate urgent tasks from those that can wait. Every mom should learn how to say \u201cno\u201d when she needs to. And at the end of the day, remember to focus on all that you\u2019ve accomplished instead of everything you still need to do.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Scientific studies<\/a> show that regular walks through nature improve mental health. In addition, grounding \u2014 which involves doing things that electrically connect you to the Earth (like walking barefoot through the grass) \u2014 has been shown<\/a> to improve sleep, reduce pain, and combat stress.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Journaling is a phenomenal opportunity to step back and reflect on the day, your accomplishments, and your areas of imperfection. In this way, it allows moms to become mindful observers of their own lives and family dynamics, and it helps them identify patterns that could prevent future burnout. Additionally, this form of emotional mom self-care sets an excellent example for children.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat Is Mom Burnout?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Symptoms of Mom Burnout<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
Self-Care Tips for Moms<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Prioritize Sleep<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Get Some Exercise <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Find a Support System<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Consider a Technology Detox<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Know Your Risk Factors<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Eat Well<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Speak With a Therapist<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Set Goals and Priorities<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Spend Time in Nature<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Journal to Track Your Mood<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Explore Mindful Parenting<\/h3>\n\n\n\n