Totally Fried? A Real Talk Survival Guide for Moms
Being a mom is seriously a ton. Between the kiddos, the house stuff, work – you name it – it feels like there’s never enough time to get everything done. Carpool chaos, endless meal prep, mountains of laundry, and just trying to keep track of everyone can leave you feeling totally drained. Even though being a mom is the absolute best, it can also feel like the toughest gig out there. This season of life is full of amazing moments, and it’s super rewarding, but let’s be real, it can get lonely. That’s why we put together this little “survival guide” to help you get through those rough patches, remind you to cut yourself some slack (you’re doing an awesome job!), and give you some practical tips to feel a little more human.
The Science-y Stuff (Don’t Zone Out!)
As moms, our bodies go through some major changes, both physically and mentally. With all the hormone shifts, that constant “go-go-go” feeling, and just plain exhaustion, we gotta do what we can to support ourselves. One big reason for that worn-out feeling? Adrenal fatigue. Basically, your adrenal glands get overworked from all the chronic stress. This constant state of high alert can make you feel anxious and overwhelmed because your nervous system gets stuck in fight-or-flight mode.
And let’s not forget the sleep deprivation! It makes everything worse and leaves us reaching for coffee just to function. But honestly, coffee and energy drinks are just quick fixes. They don’t actually help us get out of this cycle and address the real issue, which is helping our nervous system chill out and handle all the stress better!
Real Tips for Surviving (and Maybe Even Thriving!)
So, how do we navigate this motherhood gig with a little more bounce in our step? It starts with putting ourselves first sometimes (gasp!) and making small but impactful changes every day. Here are some ideas to help you feel more like yourself:
- Sleep is your friend: Aim for at least 7-8 hours of decent sleep each night. Try to get a bedtime routine going and make your bedroom a relaxing zone.
- Fuel that amazing body: Focus on eating good, healthy foods that give you lasting energy. Seriously, try starting your day with some protein before you grab that coffee!
- Don’t be a hero – ask for help! Seriously, don’t be afraid to lean on your partner, family, or friends. Delegate tasks and let others take some things off your plate so you can actually breathe.
- Make time for YOU: Schedule in regular self-care, even if it’s just for a few minutes. Whether it’s a long bath, a walk outside, or just doing something you enjoy, make it a priority to recharge your batteries. Even 10 minutes to yourself can make a difference!
Get Your Nervous System in Check (Seriously!)
Okay, this should really be step one! The tips above are great, but they won’t have a huge impact if your nervous system is totally out of whack. So, what does that even mean? Well, your nervous system has two main parts: the parasympathetic nervous system (the brake pedal) and the sympathetic nervous system (the gas pedal). Both are super important! The goal is for them to work together smoothly. When you need to be in action mode, chasing after your little one, you want that gas pedal going! But once things calm down, your body should be able to recognize that and switch to a relaxed state. A lot of us moms are stuck in sympathetic dominance – meaning even when the kids are safe and sound, our bodies are still in stress mode. When this happens for too long, that exhaustion really sets in, and the challenges of motherhood can start to feel physically overwhelming.
Taking That First Step
If you’re feeling like you’re constantly struggling to find some balance in motherhood, you might want to look into neurologically-focused chiropractic care. By having a care plan that’s specifically tailored to your “mom exhaustion,” your nervous system can start to find that balance between the “go” and “rest” modes, helping you become more resilient and adaptable to everything that comes with being an amazing mom!
So, how do you even start? They have this cool technology called the CLA INSiGHT Scan that checks out how your nervous system is functioning. It shows the doctors exactly what’s going on in your brain and body and can pinpoint that mom exhaustion! Take the first step towards feeling healthier and happier by scheduling a nervous system scan today.
Real Mom Story: Alyssa’s Journey
Let me tell you about our awesome friend, Alyssa, and we’ll take a look at one of her Neurological INSiGHT Scans.
About three months after her baby was born, Alyssa’s back went out. She thought it would just get better on its own, but the pain kept getting worse, fast. She got to the point where she could barely move off the couch, let alone take care of her newborn.
When she saw her scans, Alyssa was actually pretty surprised and a little bummed. She was expecting everything to be super lit up! But it wasn’t lit up much at all. She immediately felt hopeless, like she couldn’t be helped. BUT then her local PX Doc explained that her body was so exhausted from the pain and being stuck in that “gas pedal” stress mode that it was basically in power-down mode! The scan wasn’t lit up because it was exhausted!
Interestingly, the first thing Alyssa noticed wasn’t pain relief. It was that she could finally sleep! She had always struggled with sleep and could never fall asleep or stay asleep. She also noticed that her anxiety wasn’t running her life anymore. AND then, finally, her back pain started to get better!
Here’s Alyssa’s first EMG scan! The yellow in her neurological scans showed how exhausted her body was after being in that sympathetic ‘stress mode’ for way too long.
Alyssa’s life has changed a lot since starting with PX Docs. She’s completely off all her anxiety meds, has less and less pain every day, and has been able to do her main goal – PLAY ON THE FLOOR WITH HER BABY. Alyssa said she loves having a healthcare team that believes in her and feels more empowered to speak up for herself and her family.
Ready to see what your Neurological INSiGHT Scans look like?! Head over to the PX Docs Directory to find a doctor near you!
Being a mom is the most incredible club to be a part of, but let’s be honest, it’s just plain HARD sometimes. As PX Docs, we really hope we can help you find some hope, some answers, and some drug-free support that you’ve been looking for… not just for your sweet kids and family, but for YOU too!