3 Steps to Bounce Back from Burnout

Last week we talked about the signs of burnout in moms. Things like lacking motivation to do the things you usually do, getting annoyed with your loved ones, or changes in your sleep. If you’re recognizing that some of these signs are present in your life, you may be wondering what you can do about it. Today we're talking about the three easy steps you can take to bounce back from the feeling of burnout as a mom. 

Don’t Blame Yourself

It is absolutely not your fault you feel like this and it is entirely natural and normal to feel burned out occasionally as a mom. Moms bear the burden for almost everything. We care for the kids and our partners on a daily basis. Many household tasks fall on our shoulders. We carry the mental weight of a running list of things that need attention without batting an eye. This is all part of being a mom. Is it necessarily fair that it shakes out this way? Not always. But you are not alone in feeling the way you do and you don’t need to place any guilt or blame on yourself for feeling worn down by all the things you do in a day.

Reach Out to Others

Calling on a friend or family member to air your frustrations can help in the short term, especially if you’ve had a particularly tough day. Venting a little bit allows you to put to words what you’re feeling and process them more easily. If you’re finding that this isn't enough or you have a feeling you may need more outside help, give your primary care doctor a call. They are in charge of all of your medical care and will be able to give you advice on next steps. If they feel finding a therapist would be beneficial for you, they will be able to give you recommendations as well. 

Get Back Into Your Healthy Routines

This one is a little bit controversial. You may be thinking, “If I’m tired and burned out, shouldn’t I take the time to rest if I need it?” The answer is yes. If you are exhausted and not sleeping well then by all means take the time to rest. Getting back into healthy routines looks a little bit more like doing the things you would ordinarily do but have stopped doing because you’re burned out. For example, getting dressed in the morning, buying healthy food at the store, or taking the dog for a walk. These are typically smaller, more practiced things you’ve done in the past that you stopped doing while you were feeling burned out. And that’s okay. But the sooner you can force yourself to get back into those healthier and well-established routines, the sooner you will start to feel like yourself again.