019 Combatting Burnout with Krista Maltais

Oct 30, 2019

Episode Summary:

Chris and Johnna interview Advanced Postpartum Doula, Lactation Counselor, and owner of Relief Parenting Respite and Resource Center, Krista Maltais on parental burnout - how to identify it, when to ask for help, and how to combat it. 

Topics Covered:

• Parental Burnout defined
• Ways in which burnout can mimic depression, common stress and other health issues
• How to know if it’s burnout
• Warning signs of burnout
• Three levels of burnout: mild, moderate and severe
• Different parental situations that warrant different levels of burnout
• Why quality sleep plays such a huge role in surviving burnout and parent life in general
• Detriments of poor sleep quality
• Examining your sleep environment and routine
• Easy lifestyle tips to combat parental burnout
• Addressing a parent’s need for a genuine break and support
• How to communicate your needs for a break to your partner
• How to find what rejuvenates you
• How to reframe how you speak about your roles as parents
• Incorporating parenthood as your new identity rather than looking at it as a job
• How your mental load can be just as taxing on your body, stress levels and sleep as your physical load
• The importance of parental collaboration and teamwork between spouses when raising little kids
• Knowing your communication style with your partner and utilizing theirs as well to make sure you are on the same page
• How lack of communication in marriage, while experiencing burnout, can negatively impact your health, life and relationship
• The painful future of not addressing your needs with your spouse
• What life looks like for your kids when you model a marriage of love, support, and communication
• Expectations in self and parental care
• When and how to ask for help
• How your intimate life will improve if you help your spouse around the house
• The Postnatal Depletion Cure
• S.P.A.N. : your self-care plan – Sleep, Purpose, Activity and Nutrition
• Relief Parenting Respite and Resource Center

Sources Mentioned:

Book: The Postnatal Depletion Cure by Oscar Serrallach

Krista's Resource: https://www.reliefparenting.com/parental-burnout