Balancing motherhood with a career is like working two full-time jobs. Sometimes you feel as if you’re never “off the clock.” The constant demands can contribute to chronic stress that, when left unchecked, can lead to burnout. Here are some tips to avoid burnout as a working mom.
- Maintain Boundaries
Maintaining boundaries is critical to avoiding burnout as a working mom. Don’t let your career seep into your personal life. When you’re home, don’t check your email or take work-related calls. Whenever possible, disconnect completely. Resist the temptation to be glued to your devices at all times. Even if your career doesn’t allow you to turn off your phone at home, you can still keep it in another room.
Maintaining boundaries also means saying no to activities and responsibilities in your personal life (and in your children’s lives). Don’t feel obligated to sign up for every volunteer opportunity or to attend every birthday party. Give up over-scheduling to maintain balance in your lives. Your children can participate in extracurricular activities, but try to keep a few nights per week free so you can be together as a family.
- Get Help When Needed
Working full-time as a mom is tough, so don’t feel guilty about asking for help when you need it, especially during your work’s busiest seasons. When you feel like you’re drowning, reach out to friends, family members, or neighbors. You might be surprised at how many people are willing to help.
Don’t feel like you have to “do it all” by yourself. Embrace today’s modern conveniences. Delivery services, for example, can be a working mom’s best friend. Get your groceries delivered to save you a few hours during the week. If you can afford it, hire a cleaner. Any time that you can free up during your week is the time that you can recharge and spend with your family.
- Practice Self-Care
Between work and motherhood, you might feel like you don’t have time to take care of yourself. Self-care should be a priority, however, so that you can thrive as you can take care of others. Self-care doesn’t mean you have to take bubble baths every night. Self-care simply means doing whatever it takes to help yourself thrive. Eat food that gives you energy, get plenty of sleep even when you’re busy, and be physically active at least four times per week.
- Take Vacations
If you feel yourself nearing burnout, it’s time to take a vacation. Whether you get away to an exotic location or stay home, make sure that you completely disconnect from work. The point of your vacation is to recharge, so any work-related activity is off-limits. Vacations can also be a chance to do some of the things that you love but don’t have time for anymore, such as reading, crocheting, hiking, or baking.
If you follow these steps, you’ll be less likely to burnout as a working mom. Remember, you can’t help anyone if you’re burnt out, so taking care of yourself needs to be a priority. If you can’t do it for yourself, do it for the others who depend on you.