Holistic Burnout Recovery
Life is a juggling act, and no one knows this better than a working mom with little ones. From the moment the sun peaks above the horizon (and often, even before the crack of dawn), the rush is on – there’s breakfast to be made, children to be dressed and do basic hygiene, work deadlines to meet, and somewhere in the blur, you’re supposed to find time for self-care. Except, when it comes to self-care, you find yourself last on the list, standing at the bottom rung of a very tall ladder, forgotten.
Recognizing Burnout: The Tipping Point
The first step to overcoming burnout isn’t just recognizing you’re tired; it’s acknowledging the wearing down of your spirit. You might wonder how you’ll get through another day, not to mention how you’ll find the energy to restore your well-being. You are not alone. My personal journey into the depths of burnout was when I realized my typical go-getter mentality wasn’t serving me well as a mother, and I was left feeling spiritually, emotionally, and physically drained. But remember, acknowledging burnout isn’t weakness; it’s wisdom.
In our fast-paced world, burnout can creep up on you. You might find yourself increasingly irritable at work, exhausted at the end of the day, and unable to sleep well. These signs are red flags but, as moms, we often push past them without a second thought. It’s only when our body’s defenses begin to crumble that we aware of the problem. A pivotal moment often serves as the wake-up call that forces us to recognize the need for change.
For me, that moment happened when I realized I was snapping at my kids, who were not responsible for my stress. I was physically present but emotionally absent. It took confronting the cause head-on to understand the importance of recovery.
Small Steps, Big Restorations
Start with the tiniest acts of self-compassion. Taking a deep breath before the day begins, whispering a prayer of gratitude, and ending the night with a moment of reflection — this daily intentional living is the light you need to guide you out of the burnout tunnel. For me, it was rising just 10 minutes earlier than my kids to sip on a warm cup of coffee in silence, a simple act of self-acknowledgment that set the tone for my day.
Your spirit requires refuge in moments of silence, prayer, and meditation. This practice, rooted in faith, isn’t just about quieting your mind. It’s about anchoring your soul in something beyond the chaos of the world. Start with a verse that brings you peace, mirror it in your meditation, and find solace in stillness.
Practice Sabbath Rest:
While it may be challenging as a busy mom, set aside time each week to rest and rejuvenate. Use this time for family, but also for personal reflection and connection with God.
Prep as much as you can the day before by tidying up the house, meal planning or prepping what you can, or planning something fun to do as a family. Our routine is to go to church, do something as a family in the afternoon, go home and rest, get pizza and watch a movie together.
Move, Because You Can
Physical movement doesn’t have to be a Herculean effort. It can be a simple as stretching your arms toward the sky, going for a short walk on your lunch break, or even dancing with your kids in the living room. Engaging in these activities releases endorphins, the body’s natural stress fighters. What I’ve found is that if I try to make a goal of an hour workout every day, I will most definitely fail, get discouraged, and give up. But if instead I say I’m just going to do 15 minutes, it actually happens! Or 5 pushups. Or stand outside for 10 minutes by myself.
The point is that it’s much easier to commit to a smaller amount of time and it’s easier to convince your brain to actually do it. Once you start you can choose if you want to do more or go longer, but you don’t HAVE to. Small amounts consistently gets much better results than inconsistent big actions.
Connection Breeds Resilience
Humans weren’t built to navigate the highs and lows of life in isolation. We thrive within communities where we’re understood, loved, and supported. This could be your church group, a dedicated support community, or even close friends and family. Sharing your experiences and receiving emotional support from a network that shares your values can work miracles in rejuvenating your spirit.
A good place to start would be to join us in Moms Aligned & Balanced: Navigating Life & Motherhood Without Burning Out – a free facebook group community I’ve made specifically for you to meet other moms in your situation and learn from each other!
Say Yes to No
Setting boundaries isn’t about creating a fortress around your life. It ensures you’ll have the energy to be truly present when it matters most! It means kindly saying no to commitments that stretch you thin, no to working when you should be resting, and most importantly, saying no to that self-deprecating voice that tells you self-care is selfish. Find the strength within yourself to say yes to what truly matters, and no to what doesn’t serve your well-being.
Regularly review your schedule and adjust it accordingly to make time for what matters most. Learn to say ‘no’ to commitments that do not align with your priorities.
Digital Detox:
Implement a daily or weekly digital detox to reduce information overload and keep your mind clear. This can be as simple as designating no-phone hours each day.
Family Time:
Protect quality time with your family. These moments are irreplaceable and contribute to your well-being by nurturing the relationships that matter most.
The Happy Aftermath
Each day devoted to intentional restoration may not feel like a drastic change, but over the weeks and months, these small adjustments create space in your life that’s filled with light, warmth, and a renewed sense of energy. You’ll find yourself being more present, more joyful, and more equipped to navigate the hurdles of life as a working mom.
Embracing burnout recovery isn’t a sprint; it won’t happen overnight. It’s not even about the daily tasks and doing everything correctly or getting to the finish line, but the wisdom in pacing yourself, resting when needed, and feeling the growth along the way. Remember, you are the architect of your well-being. You hold the power to rebuild, reframe, and restore. Your journey to recovery starts with small, daily choices — it starts with you.
And friend, before you go tackling the rest of your day, I’ve got something special for you. Imagine having a little nudge, a gentle reminder to breathe, to let go, and to embrace those moments with your kids with a full heart and clear mind. What if I told you I’ve put together a Mindful Motherhood Checklist—think of it as your mini roadmap to reclaiming your calm in the beautiful chaos of motherhood.
It’s totally free for you to grab, and chock-full of the little things that, trust me, make a huge difference. It’s those reminders we all need but often forget.
Ready to turn those daily mom struggles into triumphs? Let’s take this beautiful, bumpy journey together. Just click here and start transforming your motherhood journey today. Together, we’ve got this! 🌻
