What Is Depleted Mother Syndrome? Easily Reclaim Yourself Today!
Does the relentless pursuit of balancing superhero duties with personal needs sound familiar?
How about, do you feel more like a juggler in a circus than a serene ringmaster?
Momma, You are not alone.
You’re in the perfect spot just for moms!
In this blog post, we’ll discuss how you can reclaim self-care in motherhood and manage the complexities of Depleted Mother Syndrome and Burnout.
Yes, there is a fancy word for being extra tired.
The Complex Journey
The goal is to be a source of hope in parenting. To provide you with ways to integrate self-care into your life. To reclaim you.
Your self-care as a Mom goes deep into the heart of maternal well-being as it unravels the myth that self-care is just for moms with a nanny. We present it as a necessity. It's an essential element for recharging and surviving motherhood as you always imagined it to be.
A Mom’s Hidden Struggle Understanding Depleted Mother Syndrome
Grab your metaphorical superhero cape (or your comfiest pajamas).
Join us on this new path in life with us. It's time to reshape your everyday life. Create a world where self-care and mom duties coexist in perfect harmony.
Before providing several self-care practices with self-care strategies, let's take a moment to understand Depleted Mother Syndrome. This term sounds scientific and intimidating, but in reality, it's something many mothers experience.
A meta-analysis of 17 studies has revealed a significant aspect of Depleted Mother Syndrome, with 80% of women reporting impaired aspects of memory, including recall and executive functions. This condition begins during pregnancy and often persists into the postpartum period. This data provides a scientific basis for understanding the cognitive challenges faced by mothers, further emphasizing the complexity and impact of Depleted Mother Syndrome on women’s mental functioning. (Greater Good Science Center - University of California, Berkeley)
Identifying the Signs of Depleted Mother Syndrome in Everyday Life
So, what exactly is Depleted Mother Syndrome(DMS)?
While every mom experiences exhaustion at some point, DMS is not just about feeling tired. It affects physical health and mental well-being. It's pervasive and, if left unchecked, often leads to burnout.
If your partner is in aviation and you try to tell them you are tired, and it's like talking to one of those stuffed animals.
“Say, “I am experiencing fatigue in the form of Cumulative or Circadian fatigue.” ”
Here are the definitions references to both of those fatigues (https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Advisory_Circular/AC%20117-3.pdf)
Symptoms of Depleted Mother Syndrome
Persistent Fatigue: You're constantly tired, even after a decent night's sleep.
Emotional Instability: You experience mood swings, bouts of irritability, or feelings of overwhelm.
Decreased Motivation: Tasks that were once easy to manage now seem like monumental challenges.
Physical Symptoms: Unexplained aches and pains, frequent headaches, or digestive issues.
Reduced Concentration: Difficulty focusing or making decisions.
If you're experiencing these symptoms, you may be dealing with DMS. However, don't worry I got you covered!
Until I had my daughter, I thought parenting was easy. When "mom friends" said they were tired, I never understood. Oh, momma, I now understand. I now see you with my superhero extra magnifying glasses.
Maternal Exhaustion From Depletion to Burnout
What is burnout?
Burnout is a form of exhaustion caused by constantly feeling swamped. It’s a result of excessive and prolonged emotional, physical, and mental stress.
It manifests in fatigue, mood swings, and a drop in productivity. Recognizing burnout and seeing if it's linked to Depleted Mother Syndrome are the first steps in addressing it.
How do you know if you are experiencing burnout and how it can impact you as a mom?
1. Loss of Enjoyment
Activities that once brought joy, including time spent with family or hobbies, now feel unfulfilling or burdensome. A lack of pleasure in activities can be a sign of burnout. Mom, you might feel detached from parts of your life that used to make you happy.
2. Withdrawal
Withdrawing from social interactions and preferring to be alone more often can indicate burnout. If you start to pull back from social engagements or community activities. You are not seeking solitude but feeling too drained to participate.
3. Neglecting Self-Care
You might be neglecting your own needs, whether forgoing exercise, not eating correctly, skipping regular health check-ups, or not taking time. This neglect can be due to a lack of energy, feeling too busy, or a decreased sense of self-worth.
4. Cynicism or Detachment
You might begin to exhibit increased levels of cynicism or detachment towards your daily life. This can include feeling like what you need does not matter. You might also have a negative outlook on day-to-day activities. Or, might feel emotionally disconnected from your children or partner.
Burnout can profoundly affect one's emotional and physical well-being. Recognizing these signs and seeking appropriate support or professional help when needed is important.
Your partner can call out from work when feeling fatigued. That's how vital rest is. However, we can't call ourselves out from being caregivers as mothers. We can find ways to incorporate self-care into our routines, and rest will be one of them.
What can you do if you have burnout?
Prioritize Rest: Ensure you get enough sleep. A well-rested body and mind are more resilient to stress.
Seek Support: Don't hesitate to ask for help, whether delegating tasks or talking to someone about your feelings.
Engage in Self-Care: Make self-care a priority. Momma, are you ready to make it a priority?
Here are some self-care activities to include in your routine - “67 Essential Self-Care Activities for Moms”.
Set Boundaries: Learn to say no and establish boundaries to protect your time and energy.
If burnout persists and affects your daily life, seeking support from professional may be beneficial.
Burnout can deeply affect one's emotional and physical well-being, so it's important to recognize these signs and seek appropriate support or professional help.
Remember, acknowledging is half the battle won
As we discuss solutions to combat Depleted Mother Syndrome, it's important to consider the insights of experts like Rick and Jan Hanson and Ricki Polycove.
They have identified the depleted mother syndrome' by overwhelming parenting demands and low personal resources.
Their recommendation focuses on reducing these demands, increasing supportive resources, and building resilience in mothers. Such a multifaceted approach is vital for mothers to regain balance and well-being. (Greater Good Science Center - University of California, Berkeley)
The Path to Well-Being
As we've learned, the symptoms of DMS and burnout resonate on a spectrum. It ranges from persistent fatigue to a nagging sense of cynicism that shadows our every step. But the source of hope isn't just a distant flicker it's right here within your grasp. It's in the self-care strategies waiting for you. It's in the moments of rest we learn to prioritize. It's in the boundaries we courageously set.
The next step involves incorporating self-care strategies into your daily routine.
Here is a post to read about building a self-care routine to combat depletion: “How to Create the Best Self-Care Routine for Moms”.
This will help you recharge your batteries and regain your vigor. We can overcome Depleted Mother Syndrome and Burnout by creating a sustainable balance between motherhood and self-care.
So, as your coffee (hopefully no longer lukewarm) sits beside you, consider this your clarion call. Don't let this be another tab left open and forgotten.
Your next step
Subscribe to our newsletter and receive your free digital journal. It is designed to guide you through the self-care maze.
Make this tool your ally in the quest against DMS and burnout. Let's not just read about change.
Let's apply it, one self-reflective entry at a time.
Remember, the strongest trees grow with the forest's support.
