Science says ‘partners are the number one culprit for mothers’ stress’

Giving birth is undoubtedly one of the most significant events in a life. However, the arrival of a child is undoubtedly a source of stress for mothers. But according to a study, this factor is not the only one responsible for this state: their partners are in fact the number one culprits.

Average stress reported at 8.5 on a scale of 10

For this survey, the media Today analyzed data from more than 7,000 mothers, asked to report their stress level on a daily basis. If on average, these women report a level estimated at 8.5 out of ten, their child(ren) would not ultimately be the main culprits for the situation. So who are the culprits? Their spouses, no more, no less.

Partner, source of stress for almost one in two women

Among the results reported, 46% of mothers cite their partner as a greater source of stress than their children. According to Georgina Sturmer, a counselor specializing in helping women interviewed by Good to know, “we are often tired or overwhelmed by the physical load or mental of all that needs to be done. And that sometimes means that instead of finding a supportive partner, we actually feel like they’re just adding an extra burden to our lives.”

The study seems to confirm this because one in five women also declares “that not having enough help from your spouse is a huge source of daily stress”.

What to do if your spouse stresses you out?

If you find yourself in this situation, it is important not to stay ruminating. Georgina Sturmer shares four tips for doing so:

• Tackle what’s happening. “There are many couples where one partner complains about the other. If you feel anxious, bored or angry on a regular basis because of your significant other, you need to understand what is happening. When we untangle what annoys us, it helps us make sense of what we are feeling.” ;
• Communicate. “Once we know what bothers us, the next step is to think about how we communicate about it.“It is important to express calmly and sensitively what you feel;
• Be open to feedback. “It’s one thing to understand what’s happening and start talking about it.” Georgina Sturmer continues. But you also have to be aware that your partner “might also have something to say. And that in order to move forward, we must also be open to their constructive feedback.” ;
• Remember to have fun. When you have children, it’s easy to forget about yourself, because it’s a very demanding role. However, it’s important to maintain your identity.We need to remember the things we appreciate about each other, have fun together, think about planning evenings and moments of intimacy, even when these things cannot be done immediately.” she concludes.

Slideshow: Mental load illustrated