How to Conquer Exhaustion and Overwhelm as a Mother​

By Kayla Paradis
As a mother of three, I know exactly how it can feel to be overworked, overwhelmed, and totally exhausted. Today, it is very easy to push ourselves past the threshold of our limits because it seems to be what is expected of us. Standards in motherhood are unrealistically high and as we take on the challenge to fit  societal norms, we beat ourselves down with guilt and negative self talk, believing that we will never be good enough. But here is the good part: we can change that, it begins with just one person and that person is you. Using the techniques below you can completely overhaul your self-image and self-worth so much that even when you are faced with the common daily stresses accompanying motherhood, you will feel grounded, centered and calm.
#1) Nurture Yourself – make your happiness a priority. Find things that connect you to joy each day, and make sure to do them. When your children see you happy and having fun, it encourages them to do the same.
#2) Ground Yourself –​ find an activity like breathwork that brings you back into your body, instead of your mind. Often times when we are stressed, we hold our breath without realizing it. Bring awareness to your breath; take the time to nourish your wellbeing by taking some deep breaths throughout your day, as often as needed.
#3) Thought Awareness and Affirmations – we often don’t realize how much we internalize our inner dialogue. As a mother, I am certain that you tell yourself you’re not good enough or blame yourself much more often than you should. Pay attention to your thoughts. If you find you are being negative or hard on yourself, change the script. Tell yourself positive affirmations in your mind or even out loud.
#4) Practice Yoga – Yoga is such an amazing exercise for mothers because it helps to calm the central nervous system and unlock our inner shakti (feminine energy). The best part about yoga is that it can be done anywhere and at any pace. Begin by practicing some poses, memorizing the sun salutations, and then work your way into creating your own flows that feel good for your body. This will make yoga fun, creative, engaging, and nourishing. As you begin to learn new asanas and postures, you will be amazed at all the things you can do that you never believed you could.
#5) Meditation – make the time to diffuse your mental thought energy through meditation. Do what you can from day to day without  putting too much rigid pressure on your practice. Simply find a comfortable spot and focus on your breath for a couple of minutes or longer. This will reconnect you to yourself and your needs, as well as help calm your thoughts and emotions.

Try incorporating these tips into your day and make your happiness a priority. Namaste Mama.
 Follow her for more on Instagram @paradispractice

​Kayla Paradis is a yoga teacher and intuitive healer from the eastcoast of Canada. She helps connect fellow Mama's to the learnings of their soul and unlock their intuition to help fuel their hidden desires.