Two thirds of mums exhausted from pressure to be a 'supermum' survey shows
One out of five say their mental health has been affected
This International Women's Day, Helen Bruce from Bupa UK has spoken about the pressures mums are feeling across the country, of which she says have been exacerbated by the pandemic.
She decided to run a survey to better understand the impact the long term impact of the pandemic on mothers and found that mums were overwhelmingly feeling the pressure to reach 'supermum' status.
What is a 'supermum'?
A 'supermum' is a term for a mother who juggles managing the home, bringing up children as well as holding down a full-time job and is perceived by the outside world to do this with ease.
Survey results
Helen Bruce told us that this "unrealistic standard" of motherhood is affecting mums in Britain to the extent that two out of three surveyed have "driven themselves to exhaustion with pressures to achieve 'supermum' status."
One in five mothers also said that the stress to become 'supermum' had affected their mental health.
43% of mums told the survey that they struggle to ask their partner for support.
Helen Bruce also said: "Worryingly, one in three mums say they've sought help from a medical professional for mental health concerns but keep it a secret from their loved ones."
READ MORE: International Women's Day: Angela Rayner on gender in politics
On what is causing this pressure, Ms Bruce told us: "The research showed that the main source of pressure to be a 'supermum' is actually social media."
She continued: "We’ve all read those celebrity posts and posts from other mums that can make you feel like you have to live up to this unrealistic standard."
How mums can reduce this pressure:
On what mums can do to support each other this International Women's Day and beyond, Helen advises: "I think it is doing a lot of talking to other mums and making sure they have a good support network.
"You know I’m a working mum with 4 children, being able to speak to other mum friends about the pressures and strains of everyday life is really important."
Ms Bruce also told us that she believes it is very important that mothers take more time out for themselves.
She stated: "The research shows that when women have time to themselves they tend to do other jobs or they can’t relax or take a minute to look after their own wellbeing.
"So, I think its really important that this guilt is removed and women have the confidence to understand that having time out for themselves is equally as important as taking time our for friends and family."