I'm drowning. 50hr weeks, two kids, wife works 40hrs. We're both exhausted. I'm doing the "stress relief" tips (meditation, exercise) but honestly those feel like band-aids on a bullet wound.
Maybe the real fix is structural - like reducing hours or changing jobs entirely. But that feels irresponsible.
What's actually helped you? Not the "take a bubble bath" stuff - real life changes.
Honestly I started going to the gym at 5am before the kids wake up. Only 30 minutes but it's MY time and I'm not stressed about fitting it in after work. Helps more than I expected.
The 50hr weeks are killing you more than anything else. I cut back to 45 and honestly it saved my sanity. Talk to your manager about one work from home day if possible, even just having that mental break makes a difference.
Sounds like you and your wife need to have a real conversation about dividing household stuff differently. If you're both at 40-50hrs you can't also be doing equal housework. Something's gotta give and right now it's both your mental health.
Have you tried just sitting in your car for 10 minutes after work before going inside? Sounds dumb but that transition time helped me stop bringing work stress into family time. Game changer for my mood.
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Have you looked into therapy? I was resistant at first but having someone to vent to who isn't also exhausted makes a real difference. Even just monthly sessions.