“Being a single mother (or parent) is twice the work, twice the stress and twice the tears but also twice the hugs, twice the love and twice the pride,” reads an anonymous quote, but single parents also face unique stresses.
There are a few things single parents can do to help manage their stress and avoid burnout
WHEN YOU ARE STRESSED
DON’T FEEL GUILTY
Mothers are generally subjected to a lot of unwanted advice from everyone, be it neighbors, family members and even people they’ve just met. It can get quite stressful when one is managing everything alone and still falls short of society’s expectations.
It’s important to stop feeling guilty and not being able to live up to everybody’s expectations. You have to believe in yourself and have faith in what you’re doing in the situation in you’re in.
TAKE DEEP BREATHS & POWER NAPS
Deep breaths, power naps and prioritising yourself each day is like giving a pat on your back. It’s a food idea to always slow down to stall stress and burnout. Even talking to yourself is also very helpful. And quick power naps help you beat stress
THERAPY
Single mothers often face unique stresses which can lead to feelings of exhaustion. They can tackle burnout by creating a relaxed routine and making time for themselves. It is also crucial to skip feelings of guilt if they are taking some time away from their children,” says Dr. Jyoti Kapoor, Senior Psychiatrist and Founder, Manasthali.
“There are a few things single parents can do to help manage their stress and avoid burnout. The most essential is one needs to make time for oneself so that the individual can do something she enjoys such as reading a book or visiting with friends. The other step is one should be kind to oneself. Since you have to juggle both the roles of a mother and father, you might not be perfect in playing those characters.
PERSONAL DOWN TIME
Me time does the trick often. Have coffee, leave the laundry for a while, order take out and let everything fall into place one day at a time. Cry or howl if you want to or ask for help. There is no mantra or pattern to what you do that will help you get back up.
WHEN YOU WANT TO BEAT BURNOUT
DON’T BE AFRAID TO ASK FOR HELP
Just because you’re used to being independent doesn’t mean you have to do everything on your own. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to ask your friends and family for help.
MAKE YOUR HEALTH A PRIORITY
Make sure to schedule regular doctor’s appointments, get plenty of rest, and eat healthy foods. And if you’re feeling particularly stressed, consider seeing a therapist who can help you manage anxiety in a healthy way.
SET BOUNDARIES WITH OTHERS
One of the main causes of burnout is taking on too much responsibility. So if you’re constantly saying “yes” to things, whether it’s work projects, social obligations, or even favours for friends and family members, it might be time to start setting boundaries with others.
THE 5-5-5 TECHNIQUE
Start every morning with 5 minutes of gratitude, 5 minutes of physical exercise and 5 minutes of reading a book. These 15 minutes assist in starting a day on a positive note instead of panic or stress
