Tuesday Oct 22nd, 2024
By hiring a professional maid service, working moms can free up valuable time, get some well-deserved rest and relaxation, and reduce the risk of parental burnout. In this piece, Gem City Cleaning Solutions discusses how the majority of parents are experiencing parental burnout, how many hours the average person spends cleaning each week, and the benefits of outsourcing home cleaning.
What is Parental Burnout?
Everyone experiences stress differently, especially when it comes to parenting. And look, stress is normal. But parental burnout is bad news. Researchers describe parental burnout as a level of chronic stress and exhaustion that overwhelms a parent’s ability to cope and function that results in a parent feeling physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausted.
Between working long hours, helping their children with homework, and cleaning the house, many mothers are on the verge of parental burnout. In a study by Ohio State University, researchers described this chronically high-stress level as an “epidemic.” However, this constant state of anxiety and exhaustion doesn’t have to continue.
The common symptoms of parental burnout include anxiety, depression, increased alcohol consumption in parents, and an increased likelihood of a parent engaging in punitive parenting practices.
Who is at Risk of Parental Burnout?
Research shows that females are more likely than males to experience parental burnout, with 68 percent of females reporting burnout versus 42 percent of males. However, working parents, in general, are at high risk of developing parental burnout. Other factors that were strongly associated with parental burnout include the number of children living in a home and having children with mental health disorders.
The pandemic increased this risk further, as many parents started taking on extra tasks as school closures forced students to learn at home and childcare was unavailable. Today, around 66 percent of parents report being burned out.
Reclaiming Your Time
Many people have a habit of over-committing. In a recent survey, researchers found that 60 percent of people agree to accomplish more than they can actually accomplish in a day. Furthermore, another 20 percent say they’ve reached their limit and can’t possibly commit to more.
Our habit of over-committing doesn’t just amount to a neverending to-do list. It actually takes an emotional toll on us. Over-committers often experience:
- Stress
- Worry
- Anxiety
- Feelings of defeat
Part of the reason we over-commit is due to our cognitive bias to consistently underestimate the time it takes to complete a task. This cognitive bias is known as the “planning fallacy.” While we like to think our daily household tasks will take just a few minutes, they often build up to a point where we simply can’t accomplish all of them in a day.
One way moms—and dads—can minimize the stress of over-committing and the chances of parental burnout is to outsource some tasks. For instance, the average American spends six hours per week cleaning and still doesn’t feel like they’ve done enough. Moreover, even when women aren’t stay-at-home moms, they still take on the majority of household chores.
The Benefits of Outsourcing your Cleaning
Making the decision to offload a few of your household chores can make a big difference in your well-being. By outsourcing your cleaning, you can:
- Reconnect with your Children: In the aforementioned Ohio University study, burned-out parents reported feeling emotionally detached from their children. By freeing up half a dozen or more hours each week, you can reconnect with your children through fun activities. Whether you’re going to the movies or hiking your favorite trail, you’ll have time to make memories with your little ones.
- Spend Time on Your Career: It’s not just a task itself that takes up time. It’s the time sink of task-switching that can eat up hours each day. In fact, research found it takes an average of 23 minutes and 15 seconds to settle back to a task. By hiring a professional cleaning service, you can spend your time on your work instead of on household chores.
- Focus on Your Work: Roughly 58 percent of Americans have the opportunity to work from home. But our homes, especially if they’re messy, come with a lot of distractions. A study from Harvard University found that untidy workspaces can minimize people’s productivity. With a professional cleaner ensuring you’re home is spotless, you can boost your productivity and focus on what makes you great at your job.
Reach out to Gem City Cleaning Solutions
Parental burnout for working moms is a significant issue, but there is a solution to minimize your daily workload. Consider reaching out to a professional cleaning service to reduce your stress, have more time to focus on your children and work, and give yourself a break. If you’re interested in learning more, reach out to Gem City Cleaning Solutions.