Beat parental burnout …

More than one million Australian children live with a parent who has depression, putting those children directly at risk of developing depression and anxiety themselves.

Parenting is probably the most demanding ‘job’ in the world, and the challenges have only intensified during the last few years.

As the world moves beyond the pandemic, parents are finding themselves grappling with the threat of parental burnout.

This syndrome is characterized by 3 things:

1. Emotional exhaustion,
2. Depersonalization,
3. And, a decrease in self-fulfillment.

If you resonate with this, you might also recognize some of these symptoms:

• More irritable and aggressive than usual,
• Not sleeping well, or sleeping too much,
• Trouble concentrating,
• Loss of appetite,
• Plagued by unwanted thoughts,
• Grappling with addictions like alcohol, gambling, smoking, overworking,
• Engaging in reckless behaviour,
• Feeling an overwhelming sense of hopelessness or helplessness,
• Wanting to give up.

Understanding Parental Burnout …

Parental burnout is not limited to a specific demographic; any parent can experience it.

Research by Belgian psychologists Isabelle Roskam and Moïra Mikolajczak revealed four dimensions of parental burnout:

1. Exhaustion in your role as a parent,
2. A contrast with your previous parental self,
3. Feelings of being fed up with your parental role,
4. And, emotional distancing from your own children.

These symptoms often progress in stages, beginning with overwhelming exhaustion, followed by emotional distancing, and ultimately leading to a loss of fulfillment in parenting.

Unlike ‘job burnout’, parental burnout is not something you can escape from.

You can’t run away from your children or responsibilities, and this sense of entrapment can lead to suicidal ideation or violent or neglectful behaviour towards your children.

Who is Vulnerable to Parental Burnout?

Research indicates that parents from Western countries reported higher rates of burnout.

Individualistic cultures (where nuclear families are the norm) tend to emphasize competition and independence, making parents less likely to seek support, while Eastern cultures prioritize obedience and respect toward elders.

Additional stressors, such as being a single parent, caring for a child with special needs, or being an immigrant parent, can lower your threshold for coping with stress.

Strategies for Managing Parental Burnout

Recognizing and addressing parental burnout is crucial for both the parent and the family unit.

Here are some strategies to help you cope with and overcome burnout:

1. Talk About It:

Acknowledging and openly discussing parental burnout can help reduce the shame associated with it.

Knowing that millions of parents experience similar struggles can normalize the experience and make it easier to seek support.

Book in for a session with Pete or me.

Between us we have 80 years of parenting experience!

With our coaching and healing expertise, we can turn the tide during the first session!

2. Make Small Changes:

Instead of fixating on major stressors, look for smaller, manageable ways to reduce stress.

Learn to ask for help, delegate tasks, cut down on commitments, or seek help from family and friends to lighten the load.

3. Stop Saying ‘Should’:

Perfectionism and unrealistic expectations can contribute to burnout.

It’s called the ‘curse’ of perfectionism.

Pete and I can help you break through these subconscious programs that sabotage your health and happiness.

4. Take Microbreaks:

Even brief moments of self-care can make a significant difference.

Find opportunities for relaxation and pleasure in manageable ways that fit your schedule.

Even 10 minutes offline here and there helps to reboot your nervous system.

5. Find Meaning:

Reconnect with your values as a parent and remind yourself of all the wonderful moments you have shared with your children.

Your children are so lucky to have you as their parent!

6. Parental Burnout is connected to nutrient deficiency.

If we are poorly nourished, we are less able to cope with life’s challenges.

There are natural blues busters that provide the raw construction materials from which your body can make neurotransmitters such as serotonin (the happy hormone).

If you are serious about creating more peace, harmony and happiness in your life take a look at these suggestions.

Supplement with:

• Magnesium.

At least 500 functions in your body depend on healthy magnesium levels.

Magnesium acts like a circuit braker, it will stop you from blowing your fuse!

It also regenerates your brain and heart cells.

• Iodine.

According to the Australian government website, Australians are iodine deficient, and this can lead to mental decline, brain fog, depression and anxiety.

• Take a great top shelf supplement like Activator or Auralife to help you get your mojo back.

• Have the Purple House Smoothie to kickstart every cell in your body.

The whole family can eat this for breakfast or lunch.

• Calm Nature is another great mood booster and helps you feel calm and nurtured, even when the pressure is on.

• A really great gut health product like Immuno-Synbiotic.

We all know that your first brain is really our gut, which contains 80% of our immune system, and houses as many neurotransmitters as our brain.

If you are taking any kind of prescription medication for depression or anxiety, you need to salvage the neurotransmitters in your digestive tract, because they are directly affected by these medications.

It is important to remember that you are basically made up of light wrapped up in fat.

Let me explain this.

Your brain cells or any neurons anywhere in the body are electricity conductors, they allow the spark of light/electricity to flow through you, and these neurotransmitters are wrapped up in fat, in the form of a fatty myelin sheath.

If you are low in saturated fats, the neurons become damaged and you might feel jittery, depressed, moody or anxious.

So, always remember to have your block of butter, meat fats or coconut oil daily.

Give it to your children as well.

Let them have lots of cream and butter, or full cream yoghurt, and make bone broths.

• If you struggle with your fat digestion/absorption we have an answer for that as well: Beetflow.

Thankfully, Beetflow is back in stock!

In conclusion, parental burnout is a real and pressing issue that affects parents from various backgrounds.

By acknowledging the challenges and seeking support, parents can navigate the demands of parenting with greater resilience.

You are only one step away from boosting your energy levels, restoring your self esteem and finding peace and harmony!

Call us on 03 64283007 (Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday) or click here to make a booking today !

Visit our website to book online, order supplements, read our past blogs OR download our e-books.