Common Reasons Why Moms are Exhausted All the Time
Why are all mothers always so tired? Even when we manage to get into bed early or rest during the day, we always wake up feeling run down and exhausted. There are actually very real reasons why moms never seem to be fully rested. Take a look at these realities and see if you can relate. If there is a mom in your life who is dealing with this ongoing tiredness, look for ways to support her! The tiredness is definitely real!
Sleepless Nights
One of the most common reasons moms are always tired is sleep deprivation. Newborns require round-the-clock care, which means frequent nighttime feedings and diaper changes. Even as children grow older, they might still wake up at night due to nightmares, illness, or simply needing comfort. This battle with bedtime and interrupted sleep can lead to chronic fatigue over time.
The Juggling Act
Moms juggle numerous responsibilities daily, from cooking and cleaning to managing schedules and helping with homework. They are the masters of multitasking, which requires tremendous energy and mental focus. The mental capacity to keep track of everything can be as exhausting as the physical tasks themselves.
Heartfelt Hustle
The emotional workload refers to the invisible, often unacknowledged work involved in managing the emotions and well-being of others. Moms frequently take on the role of emotional anchors of the family, providing support and comfort to their children, partners, and sometimes extended family members. This can overall be emotionally exhausting and add to tiredness.
Me-Time Myth
Moms often neglect their needs and put them last, prioritizing their family’s well-being above their own. This can result in a lack of personal time to relax, pursue hobbies, or even just unwind. Without the elusive personal break and time for self-care, it’s easy to become overwhelmed and exhausted. Moms need time to themselves in order to recharge and get energized. If you are a mom, make sure you give yourself at least a few minutes a day to do something alone that you enjoy.
The Mom Workout
The physical feats of motherhood are significant, and moms are constantly on the move. Caring for kids is physically demanding, from carrying babies and toddlers to running after active children. Even simple tasks like grocery shopping or laundry can become physically taxing when combined with the demands of caring for children. Plus, it is a workout that never ends.
Work-Life Balance
Many moms also work outside the home, adding another layer of responsibility and stress. Balancing a career and family life is no easy act, and it often means moms are working double shifts—one at their job and another at home.
This double duty can lead to burnout and persistent tiredness as moms have to handle many things independently. Plus, their mental load is constantly flipping from work to home and back again. Just thinking about it makes us feel a little tired.
Hormonal Havoc
Hormonal changes, especially during and after pregnancy, can significantly sap a mom’s energy. Postpartum hormonal shifts, coupled with the physical recovery from childbirth, can leave moms feeling exhausted. Even years after giving birth, hormonal fluctuations can continue to drain energy and affect mood.
Societal Scrutiny
Social pressure and societal expectations can add another level of stress to a mom’s life. Moms are often bombarded with endless advice and opinions on how to raise their children. This can lead to feeling lacking, and the pressure to be perfect increases stress levels. It is exhausting to keep up with your kids and also please those who are watching you and scrutinizing your every move.
Always Alert
Moms are often in a state of constant vigilance, always alert and available around the clock. Even when sleeping, moms always have one ear open, waiting to jump up and help a crying child. When awake, moms are constantly looking for potential hazards and ensure their children’s safety. The vigilant mom’s heightened alertness can be mentally exhausting and contribute mainly to fatigue.
Family Organizer
From scheduling doctor’s appointments to organizing playdates and family events, moms often handle the intricate logistics of family life. This continuous planning and coordination require significant mental energy.
Managing household tasks and having so many chores to finish and errands to complete, they forego many fun activities that are proven to reduce stress in the body.
The Extra Care
Many moms are “sandwiched,” looking after their children and elderly parents; this dual caregiving role can be incredibly demanding and further contribute to their fatigue. Since they upkeep their children and aging parents, the demands are doubled, and exhaustion increases.
Moms must seek support, take time for self-care, and acknowledge their needs to combat this pervasive tiredness.
Mind Matters
Issues related to mental health, like anxiety and postpartum depression, are most common among new moms. These conditions can deplete a mom’s energy and joy and make it difficult to function day-to-day. Support and treatment are essential for handling these challenges and enhancing overall well-being. The fatigue that moms experience is multifaceted, stemming from a combination of emotional labor and physical demands. Understanding these factors is crucial for appreciating the hard work and dedication that motherhood requires.
Husbands
Most mothers have to take care of their children and their husbands. While this has slowly changed in recent years, with many men becoming more independent in the house, there are certain things no woman in a relationship can escape. You will most likely have a few fights with your spouse every month, which can be mentally and physically tiring.
House Chores
Even though things are slowly changing, in many cases, the burden of taking care of house chores, from cleaning tasks to cooking and other bureaucratic matters, often falls on women. If you struggle with this, don’t hesitate to ask your husband for help. While many couples decide to divide chores, this doesn’t work for everyone. For instance, cleaning the whole house weekly will take way more time than caring for the family car once a year. Alternating tasks can be a great way to share house chores more effectively.
Emotional Sponge
Not only do moms have to manage their own emotions, but they are often burdened with the emotions of their children as well. Kids go to their moms to solve their emotional problems, often confiding in their moms their deepest, darkest secrets. Moms take on the problems of their children as if they are their own. Helping their children feel better can be very taxing. Acting as an emotional sponge takes a toll on mothers both physically and mentally.
Constant Worry
Are the kids happy? Do I have time to make dinner? Is there enough money in the account to pay for groceries tomorrow? Is my kid getting bullied at school? Moms never stop worrying. And the worries continue as the kids get older. The constant worry is emotionally draining and exhausting. Being in a constant state of subtle panic is just another reason why moms are always tired.
