Stressed Out Working Mom? Let’s Talk About What’s Really Going On (and How to Feel Better)
If you’ve found yourself here, you probably don’t need another article telling you to “wake up earlier,” “practice gratitude,” or “just do more self-care.” You’re already doing so much.
You’re managing work responsibilities, family needs, emotional labor, schedules, meals, school emails, and a never-ending mental to-do list — often all at the same time. And somehow, you’re still wondering if you’re falling short.
Let me say this clearly: nothing is wrong with you. Your stress makes sense.
As a therapist who works closely with women and mothers, I see this pattern every day — capable, loving, hardworking women pushed to the edge by unrealistic expectations and constant pressure. This post is meant to help you understand why you feel so overwhelmed, what’s happening in your nervous system, and how to actually start feeling more grounded again.
What It Really Feels Like to Be a Stressed Out Working Mom
Most stressed out working moms I talk to describe things like:
Feeling “on” all the time
Never fully relaxing — even when things are quiet
Snapping more easily than they’d like
Lying awake at night replaying the day or worrying about tomorrow
Feeling guilty no matter what choice they make
You love your kids and value your career, yet still feel exhausted and resentful at times — and then feel ashamed for even admitting that. That emotional tug-of-war alone is draining. And it’s important to know: this isn’t just about being busy. This is chronic stress.
Why Stress Hits Working Moms So Hard
From a psychological perspective, many working moms are living in a near-constant state of nervous system activation. Your brain and body are always anticipating the next need, the next demand, the next problem to solve.
Some key reasons this stress builds up:
You’re Carrying the Mental Load
Even when you’re not physically doing something, your brain is tracking appointments, school deadlines, grocery lists, emotional needs, and work responsibilities. That invisible labor adds up fast.
You’re Pulled in Competing Directions
Work wants your focus. Your family wants your presence. You want to do both well. That internal conflict creates guilt and anxiety — no matter which direction you turn.
You’re Living Under Unrealistic Expectations
Somewhere along the way, many women absorbed the belief that they should excel at work, be patient and present parents, maintain a household, take care of everyone else, and stay calm, grateful, and put-together. That standard is impossible — yet many stressed out working moms judge themselves as if it were achievable.
What Chronic Stress Does to Your Body and Mind
When stress becomes ongoing, it doesn’t just stay in your thoughts — it lives in your body.
You might notice:
Trouble sleeping or staying asleep
Constant fatigue
Brain fog or forgetfulness
Increased irritability
Anxiety or a low-level sense of dread
Feeling emotionally “flat” or disconnected
From a therapy standpoint, this is often a sign that your nervous system is stuck in survival mode. Your body is trying to protect you — but it doesn’t know when to turn the alarm off. That’s where intentional support comes in.
Why “Just Relax” Doesn’t Work (and What Does)
Many stressed out working moms tell me they’ve tried relaxing — but their mind won’t slow down. That’s not a failure. It’s biology. When your nervous system is activated, rest has to be gentle, consistent, and regulating, not forced. Here are a few strategies that actually help.
Small, Realistic Ways to Reduce Stress
1. Stop Aiming for Perfect Balance
Work-life balance isn’t something you achieve once and keep forever. It shifts week to week, season to season.
Instead of asking:
“Am I doing everything well?”
Try:
“What needs more support right now?”
That question reduces pressure and builds flexibility.
2. Set Boundaries That Protect Your Energy
Boundaries aren’t about pushing people away — they’re about protecting your nervous system.
This might look like:
Logging off work at a consistent time
Not answering emails during family time
Saying no to commitments that drain you
You don’t need a long explanation. “This doesn’t work for me right now” is enough.
3. Give Your Nervous System a Daily Signal of Safety
Simple practices done consistently are more effective than occasional big self-care gestures.
Try:
Slow breathing for 2–3 minutes
A short walk without your phone
Stretching before bed
Sitting quietly with your coffee before the day starts
These moments tell your body: I’m safe. I can slow down.
4. Challenge the Guilt (Gently)
Many stressed out working moms feel guilty for:
Wanting space
Feeling tired
Needing help
Not enjoying every moment
In therapy, we often work on reframing these thoughts:
“I should be able to handle this.”
→ “This is genuinely hard, and support makes sense.”
Self-compassion isn’t indulgent — it’s regulating.
How Therapy Helps Stressed Out Working Moms
Sometimes, stress management tools aren’t enough — especially if you’ve been carrying this weight for years.
Therapy can help you:
Understand why stress shows up the way it does
Untangle guilt, perfectionism, and people-pleasing
Learn how to regulate emotions instead of suppressing them
Build boundaries without constant self-doubt
Feel more present and less reactive
At Sarah Duran Psychotherapy, my work focuses on helping women feel steadier, more confident, and more connected to themselves — not by adding more to their plate, but by changing how they relate to stress.
Mindfulness That Fits Real Life
Mindfulness doesn’t mean emptying your mind or sitting in silence for 30 minutes.
For busy working moms, it looks more like:
Noticing your breath while washing dishes
Feeling your feet on the ground during school pickup
Pausing before reacting when emotions spike
These small moments of awareness help your nervous system reset — especially when practiced regularly.
When Stress Becomes a Sign to Get Support
You might consider professional support if:
Stress is affecting your sleep or health
You feel constantly overwhelmed or emotionally numb
Anxiety or irritability feels hard to control
You’re tired of “holding it together”
Getting help doesn’t mean you’re failing. It means you’re listening to what your body and mind need.
A Final Word for the Stressed Out Working Mom
If you take nothing else from this post, let it be this:
You are not weak. You are not broken. You are responding normally to an overloaded system.
You deserve rest that actually restores you. You deserve support that understands your life. You deserve to feel like yourself again — not just someone getting through the day.
And with the right tools and support, that is absolutely possible.
Feeling Stressed as a New Mom? A Postpartum Therapist in Houston, TX Can Help You Tune Out the Noise
When things seem out of control, it’s easy to question yourself—even when you're doing your best. If you're feeling overwhelmed, second-guessing your instincts, or emotionally drained from trying to please everyone, you’re not alone. A postpartum therapist in Houston, TX can help you rebuild your confidence, set boundaries that protect your peace, and reconnect with your own voice.
You are allowed to trust yourself.
You don’t have to justify your motherhood.
And you deserve support that centers you.
Learn how new mothers counseling in Houston, TX can help you reclaim your clarity
You are enough—exactly as you are.
More Support for You and Your Family at Sarah Duran Psychotherapy
Work stress can make an already emotional postpartum season feel even heavier. At Sarah Duran Psychotherapy, we provide a safe, nonjudgmental space where new moms—and those who love them—can process the pressure to “get it right.” In addition to working with a postpartum therapist in Houston, TX, we offer support for birth trauma, fertility grief, post-weaning depression, and the deep emotional shifts that unfold far beyond the newborn stage. Whether you're the one navigating postpartum or walking beside someone who is, you both deserve support that honors your experience—not critiques it.
