5 Daily Rituals to Combat Mom Burnout: simple strategies for less stress

Being a mom is undoubtedly one of the most challenging jobs out there. It's a rollercoaster of ups and downs—daily—exhausting, and overwhelming, yet it fills you with some of the most joy-filled moments you will ever experience! There are days when you're counting down the minutes until bedtime to catch a breath, only to find yourself scrolling through photos of your little ones and longing for their sweet cuddles the moment they're asleep.

Motherhood brings a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. From worrying about your child's immediate needs to envisioning their future, it's easy to feel consumed by the never-ending to-do list and the weight of responsibility. Amidst the chaos, carving out time for yourself is crucial, even if it seems impossible.

I understand the struggle firsthand as a mom of twins. I am sharing my favorite five simple yet effective ways to sneak in some much-needed me-time without sacrificing precious moments with your family. These tips require minimal effort and time but can make a difference in reducing mom overwhelm and reclaiming a sense of sanity, even if just for a moment. Because let's face it, as moms, we'll take any opportunity to get some time to echarge, no matter how small it may seem!

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#1 Take a Day for you

You might find this challenging at first, but once you do, you will always designate a night or two that is 100% dedicated to Mom! It is AWESOME! My go-to routines are to take a relaxing bath when the kids go to bed, settle in early for some reading, and then watch a movie or TV show just for me! If I have a lot in my head that I KNOW has to get done. I take out some paper and write down my to-do list for the next day/rest of the week. It helps me stay on track, knowing I will get to it, get it off my head, and know that in order for me to complete my tasks and mommy-ing the way I desire during the week, I get this one night just to myself to restore and replenish.  

Tip: get your husband involved. When our twins were very young, I made sure he knew he was on duty if one of the kids got up, but now they are older, we don't have that issue as much anymore (for new moms, it does get easier with the sleep, I promise! So if you are not fully there yet, don't stress). So he goes off and does his thing, and I do mine. It helps to each have some alone time, and I am happy to reciprocate by being the one "on-call" if he needs a night with more time just for himself, too. This little strategy has improved our relationship and my mental health!

Update: Over the years, this has evolved; with the kids now off to traditional school, I give myself self-care Fridays. Fridays are my time to do everything for myself. I need to get on track before the weekend hits. A self-care day is very individual; it does not matter what day you choose or what you do, but there are many benefits to finding a few days each month to get time to do the things you want for yourself. 

#2 Ignore the To-Do List

Like the tip above, this one is HARD to do, and once you get more practice making those moments for yourself, it does get easier. Sometimes, it helps to get through the long day if you cannot clean the kitchen perfectly or fold the laundry when they nap, and instead, it takes some time for you. Get in the workout you crave, watch a TV show, read a book, write, meditate, NAP! Anything that will make you feel good and refreshed before those kids wake up!

#3 Diffuse Essential Oils 

Essential oils are a zero-effort stress reducer that I highly recommend trying if you constantly feel overwhelmed! As a mother, I've come to appreciate the incredible power of scents in nurturing my body and mind. There's something truly magical about how a familiar aroma can instantly transport us to a place of peace and tranquility, even amidst the chaos of daily life. Whether it's the calming scent of lavender gently wafting through the air as we settle into our bedtime rhythm or the warm vanilla comforting filling our home during the day, these fragrances undeniably can soothe our souls and calm our restless minds. Incorporating simple rituals like turning on a diffuser or having a room spray on hand can lift your mood and shift your mindset! 

#4 Ditch your Phone

Do you find that even with a busy schedule with kids all day, you still make the time to glance at your phone one too many times, checking email, Facebook, or scrolling through Instagram when you have a free second? Most of us are guilty of this. It took me a few months to eliminate this habit, but it works! It frees up your brain and your hands. Do you ever find yourself looking at Facebook and then reading something that is going on in the world or someone going on a vacation that you wanted to do so badly but couldn't, and then you are extra grumpy for the rest of the day? You might not even realize that is happening - I didn't at first. That is, until I stopped looking at my phone throughout the day. My tip is to keep your phone around; if you are like us and don't have a landline, you probably want it to stay within reach in an emergency. But keep it up and away and start to make a habit of not looking at it during the day. It takes some practice. To start, do social media-free weekends. Then, work your way up to only looking at things at a specific time you set for yourself. You will be surprised how freer you feel!      

Update - 2021: I quit all of social media, and it made the most significant difference in my mental health and productivity! If you are not ready to give it up forever, give yourself a social media detox for 3-7 days and see the difference. TIP: delete all apps off your phone so you aren't even tempted!!                                                                          

#5 Forgive yourself and Release to God

One of the top ways to improve your overall health is to forgive yourself. Bear with me for a minute! As moms, most of us are stressed out, and stress can lead to other chronic health issues. Thus, by decreasing your stress, you are automatically starting to improve your health. To stop stressing can feel impossible most of the time. But you can begin to take some actions to decrease the overwhelm by forgiving yourself and accepting that you can't do everything you want to do each day. Some days will be absolute disasters, and forgiving is the best way to conquer the feelings of defeat. Forgive and release

Since becoming a mother, I found just how important it is to have a spiritual practice. Throughout my life, I have had bouts of depression and chronic anxiety, and a lot of it has been caused by feelings of not keeping up with everything I want to do. I felt relieved once I started to release these feelings of inadequacy over to something greater and acknowledge that I was doing my best for where I currently am. Little by little, those feelings I was getting consumed by started to fade each day. Of course, this is a work in progress daily and every moment, but it does work!


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