Finding balance between work and family can be tremendously challenging. You may feel as if excelling in one area means you are failing in another. Parenting can be rewarding, working can be rewarding. Both can also be stressful. You don’t have to choose between the two, however, finding a balance between the two may begin to feel impossible. 

There is so much that goes into raising children, maintaining a household and having a thriving career. Juggling all the responsibilities that come with this can leave you feeling overwhelmed. You can only feel overwhelmed for so long before you begin to feel burned out. You don’t have to continue down the path to burnout, counseling can help. 

Why Can’t I Have It All?

Many of us expect ourselves to be superheroes and to “do it all”. Social media and outside expectations certainly don’t help with this narrative. There simply aren’t enough hours in the day. There are often additional expectations placed on women to be able to excel in all areas and still look remarkable while doing it. 

According to an analysis made by the Harvard Political Review of ‘Why Women Still Can’t Have It All,’ by Anne-Marie Slaughter, “Women have… the incompatibility of achieving professional success and fulfilling traditional expectations of parental roles…” Women often face additional stressors when it comes to parenting and running a household. In addition, women can be faced with additional difficulties at work, including social pressure, sexism, sexual harassment and having to take off extra time to care for children to name a few.

Women can also face additional challenges after having a child. This can leave you feeling dazed with sleeplessness, numerous maternal tasks, unmet expectations, baby blues, hormone shifts, and body changes. This can all result in feeling jumpy, unsure, sad, and even guilty. As your baby’s needs coincide with work-related tasks, overwhelm takes shape, not just as a possibility but a reality. Giving birth adds an additional layer to trying to balance work and family. 

The Thing Called Overwhelm

The balancing act of juggling a job/career and home can lead to “burn out,” even the most efficient women. Eager to meet expectations, hurrying to finish tasks promptly and effectively can drive your stress level higher than you ever thought possible. 

When your stress level remains high it can be important to watch out for signs of burnout. These signs can include: 

• Diminished energy
• Poor concentration
• Decreased interest
• Fatigue
• Insomnia or hypersomnia
• Sadness and/or irritability

Burnout can affect you not only mentally but physically as well. Chronic overwhelm can lead to a compromised immune system and even heart disease. 

Preventing Overwhelm with Counseling

When you put too much on your plate you will become overwhelmed. If you feel overwhelmed long enough you will burnout. It can be a vicious cycle, but it doesn’t have to be. You can begin to take control of your expectations and re-arrange that plate. 

Counseling can help you to process your feelings and re-evaluate your expectations. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can help you to challenge unhelpful thinking patterns and replace them with more realistic and productive ways of thinking. 

You aren’t alone in your overwhelm. Carolina Counseling Services – Fayetteville, NC contracts with skilled licensed counselors and therapists who can help you. Call today to schedule your first appointment.

Related Articles:

• Emotional Overwhelm: Don’t Underestimate It
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• Overcome Feelings of being Overwhelmed in the Workplace