Moms can get burnt out so easily. I know that I am as guilty as the next mom of pushing myself too hard for too long until I just. stop.
You know those articles about emergency preparedness that suggest filling your car up when your tank is ½ full, so you’ll be prepared for the unexpected? What I’ve found is that by filling myself every so often, before I get too far on “E”, I can keep my tank full enough to take care of my family.
Here are some ways that I have found useful to fill myself and recharge and refuel. Your list might look a little different and that’s ok.
Keep a Personal Journal – I love journals. The blank pages are just begging to be filled. I’m so neurotic I even have different journals for different things. Stenos to brainstorm ideas for articles. Blank, leather bound journals for personal thoughts. A cool red-paged journal for angry vents. Journals are cathartic and if I give myself time to write I feel better.
Soak in a Hot Bath – Cheap therapy, for sure, the hardest trick about this is to keep the kids out of the bathroom long enough to do any good. If I can get 15 minutes of quiet time for myself, I am a new woman.
Take a Walk – Outside. Breathing the fresh air, feeling the sun, hearing the birds…always guaranteed to make me feel better.
Dr Pepper. Or Chocolate – Sometimes you have to indulge just a little. Don’t we each have that little luxury item that picks us up simply because it is such a rarity? I save Dr Pepper runs for my errands days and consider it a reward for battling the stress of shopping, parking, paying, checking, banking, etc.
Exercise – Not out of guilt for the Dr Pepper I had two days ago, but because exercise helps burn up stress hormones. Getting active can clear your head, calm your anxiety and strengthen your body.
Meditation or Prayer – I find this challenging sometimes, so I usually keep a notebook close at hand (see the first entry) when I’m trying to pray. This allows me to jot down and get rid of distracting thoughts so I can focus on my spiritual life. Reconnecting with my spiritual side keeps me focused on the bigger picture, and less likely to burn out over life’s little stresses.
A Tickle Fight, A Good Joke, or a Wrestling Match – Sometimes laughter really is the best medicine. And kids love nothing more than to play with you, if you’re willing. Sometimes just getting down on the floor and letting loose is the best way to combat stress.
Remember the Important – Something I learned from my mother is that the urgent things are seldom the most important things. Urgent things seem so time sensitive they can easily take all our energy away from the truly important things. That fabulous dinner you are worried about burning is not nearly as important as the people who sit around the table to eat it with you.
Girl Time! – I love my kids as much as the next person. But I spend a LOT of time with them. And sometimes the best way to love my children is to have a get away with grown ups who don’t usually talk about body functions or climb all over me or pick their noses. (I said usually.) Having those connections boosts my spirits for the daily grind of motherhood once I’m back home and allows me to tackle the challenge with renewed enthusiasm.
What is your best tip for avoiding burn-out as a mom?
Angela England is a freelance writer, Founder of Untrained Housewife and Editor-in-Chief of Blissfully Domestic. As a work-from-home mother of four children she is a master of hectic workweeks.
Need help getting energized?
@energydots on twitter
energy dots on facebook
