Mum burn out is real
Mum burnout is real and different from lots of other stress that appears in our lives. A lot of other stress that can cause deep tiredness, overwhelm, overstimulation, and burnout has expiration dates, such as dealing with things at work or a friend group drama. When it comes to Mum burnout, it can be continuous, and a lot of the time you can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel.
How do you fix Mum burnout?
So we can’t fix Mum burnout with a magic wand, but we can focus on putting strategies in place to help reduce and create moments of calmness to help reset yourself and focus on surviving through that moment in time.
Have 3 main focus points
Sit down and write out some points you feel are important for your family. It could be to have a meal all together, to get outside, or even to have a clean home. Highlight three that you feel are the most important, then focus on one at a time. For example, it could be having a picnic outside to get fresh air, but you buy picky bits from your local supermarket to help reserve extra energy. Then you could focus on one room a day to clean so you aren't using all your energy, but you know you have that room sorted for a while.
Remember to breathe
Breathing techniques are something we bang on about when teaching children, but they are great for you to do as well. They really do slow you down and help take a moment to give yourself time and space. Also, look at body tapping. Tapping is a great way to help reset your body and reduce anxiety. Here is a video if you want to learn more.
Get outside
You may roll your eyes at this, but it does wonders for your body and nervous system. Get outside in the garden or at the park. Even if it's just you sitting on a bench and kids playing around you. Having fresh air and natural light on your face regularly can really help and support you and your brain.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Help looks different for everyone. This could be hiring a cleaner to reduce the workload in the house, having a friend or family member help with laundry or make a meal every so often, or even a friend that you have found through social media who connects with you. Having someone to talk to or rely on, whether that's physically or online, can be a massive help. Our villages look different than they ever have in the past. Remember to take one step at a time and keep going.
Sleep!
Okay, I know having 8-10 hours of sleep is impossible right now, but looking at your sleep hygiene could be a massive game changer. Scrolling on social media at 11 pm at night could feel like having your time, but it could be affecting your sleep hygiene at the same time, which can then affect your energy levels too. Here are a few things you can do to help your energy levels.
Try to reduce caffeine after 2pm—swap it for something that may have sugar for an energy boost without the caffeine to help with sleep in the evening.
Reduce lights to soft lighting after 8pm.
Turn off social media and watch some TV or find a low-energy activity to help with downtime.
Have a nighttime routine to help your body predict sleep and establish a bedtime so your body knows when to expect sleep (even just the start of your night is a good way to know and predict what is coming).
I hope these points have been helpful and supportive for you. Remember we are rooting for you, and thank you for taking the time to read this. I want to be a part of your village, especially if you feel you don’t have one right now. So please feel free to reach out on social media or here to chat. I am always available.
