Page 11 - ParentsWorld March 2020 flipbuilder

the boards is as much on me as on him. This is a time of Take a BREAK
high stress and fatigue,” says Vashist.
According to a 2017 study published in Frontiers in
Psychology, 2-12 percent of parents suffer parental burnout, study conducted in 2018 by the Us-based food
defined as a “unique and context-specific syndrome result- Aand cereals multinational The Kellogg Company
ing from enduring exposure to chronic parenting stress”. found that on average, mothers get just an hour and
The study differentiates parenting stress from depression seven minutes ‘own time’ per day and this free time
which affects every facet of an individual’s persona. Pa- is seldom spent in relaxation. PW suggests five ways
rental burnout adversely affects parenting duties execution moms can unwind and alleviate stress:
capabilities. Typical symptoms include exhaustion, fatigue,  Take short naps. short daytime naps increase
exasperation and emotional distancing from children. alertness, boost creativity and reduce stress. Take a
In particular, within India’s stubbornly patriarchal short nap (15 minutes) at least once a day, around 11
society where child rearing continues to exclusively remain a.m or 3 p.m.
“women’s work”, mothers are expected to be primary care-  Commune with nature. Go for a walk in a
givers tasked with nappy-changing, school drops, laundry, nearby park at least three times per week, even if it is
and cooking. They are obliged to assume the lead role in just for 15 minutes.
nurturing children through early childhood, adolescence  Read. Reading is a pleasurable activity which cuts
into adulthood. Unsurprisingly, maternal stress is ubiqui- the mind off from the real world.
tous and visible.  Bond with family and friends. spend time
Dr. Satish Ramaiah, consultant neuro-psychiatrist with your spouse and friends. It will help you return to
and sleep disorders specialist at the People Tree Hospitals, your parenting chores with renewed vigour.
Bangalore, opines that in latter-day nuclear households  Start with small breaks. Micro-breaks improve
with gadget-dependent children, parenting stress has mental well-being. Refresh yourself by taking five-
aggravated. “The breakdown of the joint family and multi- minute breaks throughout the day for meditation or
plication of nuclear households with both parents work- stretching your muscles.

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