Finding Your Footing When Overwhelm Knocks You Sideways

Why Overwhelm Feels Impossible to Escape

You know those days when the school run feels like a military operation, your inbox is overflowing, and your brain won’t stop whispering: “You should be coping better than this.”

If you’ve ever Googled “why do I feel so overwhelmed as a mum?”,  you’re not alone. Being an overwhelmed working mum isn’t a personal failure. It’s the reality of juggling family life, work, and the invisible “mental load” that never seems to switch off.

But here’s the thing: overwhelm isn’t just in your head, it’s in your body. And when you learn how to reset your nervous system, you can start to feel calmer, even in the chaos.

Why Do Working Mums Feel So Overwhelmed?

As mums, we’re often holding everything together: the meal plans, the appointments, the laundry pile that magically regenerates overnight. Your nervous system isn’t designed for this constant multitasking.

That’s why you might notice:

• Snapping at your kids or partner over small things.
• Tight shoulders, jaw clenching, or headaches that won’t go away.
• Racing thoughts at night when you’re desperate for sleep.

These are your body’s warning signals of overwhelm. But the good news is that you can learn to respond differently.

The Invisible Mental Load: What’s Really Draining You

The “mental load” isn’t just about doing, it’s about thinking. It’s the constant mental checklist of:

• “What’s for dinner?”
• “Did I RSVP to that birthday party?”
• “When was the last time I booked a dentist appointment?”

This invisible workload keeps your nervous system on high alert, making it nearly impossible to relax.

But, you’re not failing because you feel overwhelmed. You’re overwhelmed because you’re carrying too much without enough support.

Simple Resets to Calm Overwhelm in the Moment

You don’t need hours of self-care (in fact I believe self care looks different for working mums!), you need tiny, practical tools that fit into your busy life. Here are three quick resets you can try today:

1. Box Breathing

• Inhale for 4, hold for 4, exhale for 4, hold for 4.
• Repeat this cycle 3 to 5 times.

Why it works: This slows your heart rate and tells your body it’s safe to relax.

2. 5-4-3-2-1 Grounding

• Name 5 things you see, 4 you feel, 3 you hear, 2 you smell, and 1 you taste.

Why it works: This brings your focus back to the present moment, interrupting racing thoughts.

3. Move Your Body

• Step outside, stretch, or literally shake out the stress.

Why it works: Physical movement helps release built-up tension in your body.

The First Step: Spot Your Overwhelm Signals

Every mum has unique signs that stress is building. Maybe it’s irritability, maybe it’s tears, or maybe it’s forgetting simple things like where you left the car keys.

The earlier you notice these signals, the easier it is to reset before you spiral into full burnout.

You’re Not Failing… You’re Human

The truth is that feeling overwhelmed doesn’t mean you’re a bad mum. It means you’re carrying too much without support that actually makes a difference in your life. 

“Finding your footing” isn’t about being perfect, it’s about pausing, resetting, and showing up with more calm.