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Mental health

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Close to burnout / how do you ground yourself?

2 replies

readbetweentheline · 17/11/2023 01:09

I’m ten weeks pregnant with my third child and have just got back from Canada where I have been on a busy work trip for a week. I’m finding my job highly stressful at the minute, I’m utterly exhausted from working long hours all week in a different country, and now trying to adjust to the jet lag. I’m back into the office again tomorrow and then thankfully have the weekend off but will get little chance to rest with my two young sons to take care of. I have a very supportive husband who is my equal around the home, but now I’m back home I feel guilty and like I need to shoulder most of the childcare since he has done it solo all week.

I feel a rising panic in my chest and my head is a jumble of all the things I should/need to be doing this weekend to get back on track. It’s so bad that I can’t think straight and I just keep going round and round in circles. Does anyone have any tips to help immediately ground myself please? I have no idea how to start looking after myself while also taking care of those who depend on me. I feel like a shitty mum and wondering how the hell I/we are going to cope with three kids. I just want to have a relaxing weekend but I have no idea how to rest. Does any of these even make sense?! Help.

OP posts:
NuffSaidSam · 17/11/2023 01:13

Call in sick to work either tomorrow or on Monday. Decide that now so you know you have three (or more if you need them) days to get to grips with everything.

Write a list of everything that needs to be done and then cross off everything that isn't a matter of life or death. Focus on getting the essentials done. Make everything as easy as it can possibly be. Fishfingers for the kids dinner. Screen time as needed. Give yourself the break you need.

MissMarplesNiece · 17/11/2023 17:08

Sensible advice from @NuffSaidSam . Also for the longer term, learn "box breathing" - Google to find out how. It's a calming breathing technique that's taught to members of the Special Forces for when they're in stressful situations. I was sceptical but have been practicing with my therapist and it works for me.

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