Feeling distant this time of year? Sex therapy in Chicago helps couples rebuild connection through honesty, comfort, and slower communication.

There’s a dichotomy in maternal nurturing. Mothers are often incredible nurturers; they are attuned, selfless and often intuitive to their baby’s needs. Research shows that nurturing is deeply wired into the maternal brain. When a mother hears her baby cry there’s a hormonally-driven neural response that triggers the release of oxytocin and lights up regions of the brain tied to empathy and caregiving. This biological response explains why mothers are so acutely skilled at nurturing others, and perhaps the reason they stop nurturing themselves.

There's an invisible workload that falls disproportionately on mothers during the holidays. You're often the one coordinating schedules, preparing meals, buying gifts, managing family dynamics, and trying to make the season magical, all while likely still doing your regular job and parenting duties. The emotional labor alone makes the most wonderful time of year feel not-so-wonderful. It's the perfect winter storm for burnout.