Mom isn't a machine. Why taking care of yourself is the most important thing of all

Mother’s Day is usually filled with flowers, cards, and words of thanks. But there’s less talk about what moms often really need: space to pause and take a break from being available to everyone else. Yet that is precisely what is crucial not only for their health but also for the well-being of the entire family.

Motherhood is a beautiful yet demanding period that brings with it a high level of long-term stress. When combined with a lack of time for oneself and minimal support, this can gradually lead to “parental burnout” — a state characterized by emotional exhaustion, loss of energy, and a feeling of failing in one’s role. Research by psychologists Moïra Mikolajczak and Isabelle Roskam from 2020 shows that the absence of space for one’s own needs is among the main risk factors for the development of this condition.

Self-care as a fundamental form of prevention

The good news, however, is that the solution is not as complicated as it might seem. Self-care is neither a luxury nor a reward for when “everything is done.” It is a fundamental form of prevention that has a real impact on both mental and physical health. According to WHO recommendations, simple daily habits play a crucial role, namely:

• enough sleep,
• regular exercise,
• the ability to consciously slow down.

Prevention also plays a crucial role — in other words, don’t wait until fatigue turns into exhaustion. In practice, this means paying attention to your own signals before they become a problem. Warning signs may include prolonged irritability, fatigue, a loss of joy, or the feeling that you’ve reached your limit. It is precisely in these moments that it is essential not to push yourself even harder, but to consciously ease up. Prevention doesn’t have to mean major life changes; often, it’s just a small decision to set aside at least a little space for yourself every day — a space that belongs to no one else.

Small moments that have a big impact

These don’t have to be grand gestures or spa getaways. On the contrary, the greatest impact comes from small, repeatable moments that gradually become part of your daily routine. For example, you could try:

• ten minutes of silence without notifications,
• a short walk with no specific destination,
• sipping your coffee in peace, or
• a moment when you don’t have to solve or organize anything.

It’s also important to let go of the idea that a good mom has to be constantly available. Long-term burnout doesn’t lead to better care, but rather to exhaustion and irritability. If a mom doesn’t allow herself a break, her body and mind will force one sooner or later — often in a less pleasant way.

“Mothers may sometimes feel like they have to handle everything on their own. But in the long run, that’s not sustainable. Taking care of yourself — or even your relationship with your partner — isn’t a sign of selfishness, but rather a key prerequisite for mothers, or parents in general, to maintain their mental balance and be truly present,” says Dr. Ondřej Masner on the topic.

So try a little experiment this Mother’s Day. Instead of pushing yourself further, treat yourself to a break. Not as a reward for everything you’ve accomplished, but as a natural part of the day.

Because when Mom is doing well, the whole world around her has something to lean on.

Sources:

Roskam, I., Mikolajczak, M. Gender Differences in the Nature, Antecedents and Consequences of Parental Burnout. Sex Roles 83, 485–498 (2020). (Cited May 10, 2026). Available from: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-020-01121-5

World Health Organization. Mental health: strengthening our response. (2025). (Cited May 10, 2026). Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-strengthening-our-response