If you have a stressful job and multiple kids then you may suspect that your mental health isn’t as good as it could be. Although it is very normal to have dips in your mental health, you do need to make sure that these aren’t lasting for a very long period. If they do, then this can indicate that there is a bigger issue at hand that you need to try and deal with.
Disrupted Sleep
Poor sleep can be a major red flag that you are experiencing either anxiety or depression. Research has shown that around 80% of people who have depression report some kind of insomnia, or they wake up earlier than they should in the morning. If you find that you are waking up more often than you should be then one thing you need to do is try and make sure that you’re not burnt out. If you are then you need to take steps to try and help yourself before you get to the point of no return.
It’s Hard to Focus
If you are finding it hard to focus then this is another sign that you need to take steps to stop your burnout. Making mistakes and scrambling to get your work done is a huge sign that you need a break. Try and make sure you get it, so you can come back with a fresh perspective. When you have too much going on at home, you may find that you can no longer take care of loose ends or that you can’t bring your best efforts to the task at hand.
Physical Symptoms
If you have physical symptoms, such as heart palpitations or even fatigue then this can indicate that you need to start putting yourself first. It may be that you need to start looking for postpartum depression counseling if you have just had a baby, or that you need to try and get to the root of the issue by looking at the things that are going on with your life. Even things like dizziness and gastrointestinal symptoms should be taken into account, because if you don’t then your mental health may be slipping, and you may not even be aware of it.
Lack of Motivation
If you just can’t get motivated or if you are feeling down in the dumps and just have no idea how you are going to get out of this rut then you may be burnt out. You may end up feeling angry that you have to go to work, or that you need to get out of work so you can take care of the kids. Even though you may muster the energy to get things done, the constant drain on your mental health isn’t worth it. You need to seek help because you need it. One thing you need to remember is that there is nothing wrong with you seeking help, and if you do, you will be able to give your brain and your body the chance to rejuvenate.
No time for yourself
We all need time to ourselves in order to relax, socialise or pursue hobbies. If you feel that you are dedicating almost every hour of your day to helping other people, you’re likely to start feeling trapped and depressed. Consider whether you can reach out to friends and family for support, so that you can have some time to yourself. If this isn’t an option, consider hiring professional support. Caregiver services can be found at sites like Care.com for those looking after elderly or unwell relatives, while there are many childcare services out there for burdened parents.
Life Lovers Magazine® 