We all know that being a mother is one of the hardest jobs out there. Facing it alone is even harder. You may find yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausted. You’re irritable, having frequent headaches, and in most cases quite sleep-deprived as well. You may be battling what WebMD describes as caregiver fatigue. According to WebMD caregiver fatigue is “a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion. Burnout can occur when caregivers don’t get the help they need, or if they try to do more than they are able. Caregivers are often so busy caring for others that the tend to neglect their own emotional, physical, and spiritual health. The demands on a caregiver’s body, mind, and emotions can easily seem overwhelming, leading to fatigue and helplessness—and ultimately burnout.” Sound familiar to anyone?
Being a mother is the ultimate form of caregiving. Your entire life is devoted to doing things for other people, namely your children. While being a mother is extremely rewarding in so many ways, there are times when it isn’t very much fun. Changing diapers, deciding what to cook for dinner, running kids from one activity to the next, it’s exhausting. It takes every last ounce of energy you have and then some.
Many women suffering from caregiver fatigue become withdrawn from family and friends. They lose interest in things they once enjoyed. They may experience feelings of depression and helplessness. If you find yourself unable to manage symptoms on your own seek help from your personal physician. For the rest of you, be sure to take time for yourself. I can’t stress how important this is. Even if it is just a few minutes, lock yourself in the bathroom and take a few deep breaths. Sometimes that’s all you need to recharge your batteries. Make sure you are eating right and exercising. You will have more energy if you are taking care of your body. And last but not least, don’t try to do more than you are able. As much as you would like to be, you’re not superwoman! And quite frankly, nobody expects you to be. We all have our limits. We can’t take on everything, even though we all try from time to time. Caregiver burnout is a very real condition that affects all mothers from time to time. Be aware of what you are feeling and implement these strategies to fight against it. We’ve all felt this from time to time, isn’t it nice to know there’s a name for it?