Overcoming SAHD Burnout
Just recently I wrote about SAHD Burnout and what some of the symptoms are. Now I would like to list some things that I have experienced personally that help me avoid falling into this state. If you have any things you do that help please reply to this post and let us know.
1) Take a walk in the evening by yourself. Whether it be before or after the kids are in bed, just go out for an hour walk. This is very therapeutic. Not only will you be healthier, have lower blood pressure, but it just does wonders for the mind and your mental status. Exercise!
2) Read. This doesn’t have to be novels. Just pick up a magazine or a newspaper and read up on some of your favorite topics. This gives your mind a break from the kids and will stimulate your mind to move to non-kid topics so you don’t fall into a pattern.
3) Listen to other things besides kids songs. Break out your old high school album collection. Listen to some of your favorite songs you used to listen to back in the day. This will help you escape for a while and take you out of the moment so that when you return, you are refreshed… reborn!
4) Eat well. Don’t fill up on junk food. It is easy to eat whatever you want since you are home all day and only a few steps from the kitchen. But eat good foods.
5) Sleep well. Being overtired can escelate SAHD Burnout. Get at least 8 hours of sleep if you can. 7 will work but anything under that can be detrimental to your mental state which will lead to SAHD Burnout.
6) Mix up your day. Take the kids to different places. Don’t take them to the park every single day. It may be fun for the kids but you will get sick and tired of following the same route. Take the kids to the beach one day, the park another day, and somewhere else the next day. The kids will enjoy it too.
7) Meet people if you can. You feel isolated, stuck, and all your friends are either working or in a different town. When you are out, strike up a conversation with people your age. Meet new people and it may lead to a good acquaintence or even a friendship.
Go visit friends or family members at least once per week if you can. The more the merrier. Get out. Go see people.
Can you think of anything?
