Mom Burnout: Learning to Identify It and How to Recover From It

As I was four months pregnant with my second daughter, it surprised me that I broke down in tears after taking my first daughter through her morning routine, which ended with her departure to school. At that point, I realized that I needed to stop and make some important changes. Motherhood is a demanding, beautiful journey, but let’s face it—it can also be exhausting. It’s true that mom burnout is a real challenge when you’re dealing with sleepless nights, endless to-do lists and the emotional burden of raising your family. It is crucial to identify the symptoms and take actions to heal so you can keep on doing your best as a mom and as a person.

Mom Burnout: What Are the Indicators You’ve Exhausted Yourself?

1. Constant Fatigue
You feel tired all the time, even after you have had what you think is a full night’s rest. In this condition, even basic activities become arduous, and you experience persistent fatigue.

2. Irritability and Mood Swings

You get irritated quickly, arguing with people you love or feeling too sensitive. What used to be manageable now seems too much to handle, and you can’t help but feel anxious.

3. Loss of Joy or Motivation

What once brought you joy now leaves you indifferent. You may feel like you are just existing instead of living, with no passion or interest.

4. Feelings of Inadequacy

It is common to feel guilty or failed, thinking that you are not doing enough for your child. Such feelings are usually accompanied by negative thoughts about yourself.

5. Physical Symptoms

Physical symptoms of burnout include headaches, muscle tension, digestive problems, or a weakened immune system. Your body responds to stress over a period of time.

6. Mental Fog

You may have trouble concentrating, or you might find it hard to decide things or remember things. This mental exhaustion makes life even more difficult to handle.

7. Emotional Detachment

You may experience detachment from your family and your motherly role. This can result in feelings of guilt, which only serves to perpetuate the cycle.

Physical Symptoms

Stress overload can manifest as headaches, muscle tension, or a weakened immune system, among other physical symptoms.

How to Recover From Mom Burnout

The good news is that recovery is possible with intentional self-care and support.

Prioritize Rest: It is crucial to get enough sleep as it affects both our body and mind. Ask your partner, family or friends to help you out so you can free up time to re-energize when you need it.

Set Realistic Expectations: Let go of the need for perfection. Focus on what’s truly important and leave the rest for another day.

Carve Out “Me Time”: Spend your free time on activities that make you happy such as taking a 10-minute walk, taking a bubble bath, or reading a book.

Connect with Others: Open up to your friends or look for a support group of moms. You are not alone in this and other people’s stories can help you feel better.

Seek Professional Help: Consult a therapist or counselor if burnout persists. They can offer you various techniques to help you manage your stress.