An Exhausted Mum's Survival Guide: Navigating Motherhood With Adaptability and Resilience
Motherhood is an excessive amount of responsibilities, from caring for our children to managing household chores, work commitments, and more. It often feels like there are not enough hours in the day to accomplish everything on our to-do lists. With carpool lines, meal prepping, loads of laundry, and trying to keep all the kids accounted for, it’s easy for Mums to neglect their well-being, leading to exhaustion and burnout. Although motherhood is literally the best job in the world, it can sometimes feel like the hardest. This season is full of joy, and it is very rewarding but can get lonely at times, which is why we created this little “survival guide” to help ease those tough days, to remind you to give yourself grace, that you are the best mother for your child, AND to give you some practical tips to help your overall health and wellbeing.
Understanding the Science
As mothers, our bodies undergo significant physical and mental changes. Due to frequent hormonal changes, sympathetic overdrive, and exhaustion, it is essential that we do all we can to support our bodies during motherhood. One key contributor to exhaustion is adrenal fatigue, a condition where the adrenal glands become overworked due to chronic stress. This constant state of heightened stress can lead to feelings of anxiety and overwhelm as our nervous system gets stuck in fight-or-flight mode.
Moreover, the lack of quality sleep exacerbates the problem, leaving us reliant on caffeine to get through the day. Unfortunately, coffee, energy drinks, and other caffeine only act as band-aids, forcing us as Mums to never get out of this cycle and help the root cause, which is helping our nervous system become more adaptable to all this stress!
Tips for Survival
So, how can we navigate motherhood with resilience and adaptability? It starts with prioritising self-care and making small but impactful changes to our daily routines. Here are some tips to help you thrive:
- Prioritise sleep: Aim for at least 7-8 hours of quality sleep each night by establishing a bedtime routine and creating a relaxing sleep environment.
- Fuel your body with nutritious foods: Focus on eating whole, nutrient-dense foods that nourish your body and provide sustained energy throughout the day. Start the day with protein first, even before coffee!
- Delegate tasks and ask for help: Don’t be afraid to ask for support from your partner, family members, or friends. Delegate tasks and responsibilities to lighten your load and give yourself time to recharge.
- Make time for self-care: Schedule regular self-care activities that rejuvenate your mind, body, and soul. Whether it’s taking a long bath, going for a walk in nature, or indulging in your favourite hobby, prioritise activities that bring you joy and relaxation, even if it’s just 10 minutes to reset!
Regulate Your Nervous System
This should be the first step! The above suggestions are very important, but most won’t make a major impact unless our nervous systems are rested and regulated FIRST. So what does this mean? Our nervous system has two parts: The Parasympathetic Nervous System (the brake pedal) and the Sympathetic Nervous System (the gas pedal). Each part is equally important! The goal is to have fluidity between the two. If you need to be in go mode, chasing after your child, you want the gas pedal on! But once they start to calm down, your nervous system should be able to recognise this and enter a rested and relaxed state as well. Most of us as Mums are stuck in sympathetic dominance. This means that even when our children are safe, our body is stuck in stress mode. When we are chronically stuck in this state, exhaustion really settles in, and motherhood challenges become physical fast.
Taking the Next Step
If you’re struggling to find balance in motherhood, consider exploring Neurologically-Focussed Chiropractic Care. By following a care plan customised to your “mum exhaustion,” your nervous system will be able to find the balance between the gas and brake, striving for resiliency and adaptability to all that comes with being an amazing mum.
So, how do you start?! Our cutting-edge technology, called the CLA INSiGHT Scan, assesses the function of your nervous system, allowing our Coast Family Chiropractic doctors to pinpoint exactly what is going on within your brain and body, including potential causes of maternal exhaustion. Take the first step towards a healthier, happier you by scheduling a nervous system scan today.
Ready to see what your Neurological INSiGHT Scans look like? Visit Coast Family Chiropractic to book an initial consultation with one of our doctors.
Any information provided is general in nature and not intended to diagnose or treat any medical condition. Please consult with a qualified healthcare professional for specific advice.