Dealing with everyday life can be tiring especially if you’re a mum. There are so many things that you have to accomplish in a day. Add the stress and pressure, and you’ll surely burn out and would just want to sleep all day.

Luckily, there are practices that you can try. Here are some ways you cope with stress to avoid being burned out.

• Ditch perfection, welcome creativity!

Throw perfection off. Honestly, it’s getting you nowhere, and it’s a big action blocker.

Expecting perfection, especially when you have so many demands on your day, will stop good things from getting done. Committing to ongoing improvement doesn’t mean striving for perfection every moment.

Creativity, on the other hand, makes you think and act on better ways to survive and thrive as a working mother. It’s as they say, don’t work hard, work smart!

• Learn to trust your children

This one can be so hard but we have to trust our children out there and we can start by giving them the right tools. Drowning in responsibility can make you forget to trust your children and their ability to solve problems and enjoy themselves positively.

As parents, we are constantly trying to set up an environment where our children can thrive. But trying your best to set up ways where your children can develop themselves responsibly might not always end up as you had envisioned. That doesn’t mean it’s wrong! Parent the way that’s right for you.

• Thank your supporters and recognise when you have support

Luckily, the world is becoming a place where people start to understand more of everybody’s everyday lives. We are becoming more open to what others are experiencing thus creating countless support groups for every life aspect that we can think of.

Support for working mums is becoming more accepted. There are increasing numbers of advocates for working mums. This helps ease the burden and can even influence HR policies.

On the other side, if you’re in management ask: Will I recognise the signs of struggle when I am dealing with a working parent/caretaker? If I see a mum struggling at work, what am I doing as a manager or as an organisation to help?

From the answers that unfold, we can build a safe space where working mums and parents can feel safe at their workplace in every condition or situation.

By showing mums you care about their needs, you can help empower them to continue juggling their work and home lives in a way that works best for them.

• Be aware of what gives you energy

As a working mum, burnout is inevitable as you juggle work and chores the whole day. So we’ll need to recharge our energies and fill back your cup. It can be: Your children’s hug, a laugh with a co-worker, things that go right, good ideas for the job, nice and appreciated activities with your family.

Those moments can do wonders when you’re depleted. Try to find satisfaction and thankfulness for your job and your co-workers or people who support you in your job. If what gives you energy is to scramble for more flexible measures, then do it!

• Know when to rest and take care of yourself

This one is the hardest, both emotionally and practically. You can’t pour from an empty cup, and you know that. But at the same time, you might not know how to refill or step into a more balanced way of being a working mother.

There are many ways to take care of yourself: Take moments for yourself, rest, work out, empty your mind for some time, give yourself pampering sessions. Doing what you love and prioritise them. Always remember that it’s okay to preserve your energy! You don’t need to stress about being a working mum by doing everything.

• Use the skills you already have that are transferable

Successfully dealing with multiple priorities is a skill you learned being a tired working mum. It has been useful in both motherhood and even in the workplace but it’s not the only one you have! You possess: Patience, communication, problem-solving mastery, creativity.

These are skills you can use for parenting and working as well as for creating meaningful relationships with others. This is a huge emotional lifesaver you can use when you feel overwhelmed and exhausted! Remembering everything you’re capable of is an important mental safety net. Remind yourself.

Final Thoughts

Taking care of yourself, recharging, and giving yourself a moment of grace and self-rest is a huge ‘breathe in and breathe out’ reminder when you are feeling burnout. Being aware and connected to enjoyment in every moment pushes your creativity forward.

Being a mum is hard. Being a working mum is even harder. The world is changing fast, puts more demands, but opens new doors and creates more resources.

The employer mindset regarding working mothers is slowly changing, and different services are being created to support mothers and help them to adapt to new circumstances, from meditation apps to online scheduling solutions.

Allow the way you juggle work and motherhood to evolve as the world evolves. Using these simple techniques will help you to get a piece of mind and enjoy the most important and the most incredible job ever – being a mum of course! — lifehack.org