57% of Indian mums say family duties prevent them from prioritising wellness: Report

A survey conducted by habit building platform, Habuild has revealed a deep emotional undercurrent among Indian mothers; a need to feel recognised, emotionally supported, and given space to care for themselves amidst the chaos of daily responsibilities, according to a press release.

As part of the survey, responses were gathered from 30,000 mothers across India to understand the current emotional wellness landscape for them and identify the gaps in support from family, workplaces and society.

The survey pointed out that while 57% of respondents said they always feel emotionally supported by their family, a significant 33% don’t feel fully supported. When going through emotionally or physically difficult times 57% of mothers felt they couldn't always openly share with their family members, pointing to a communication gap in moments that matter most.

When asked to describe their current emotional state as mothers, only 34% said they feel “valued and seen.” An equal 37% felt “content and balanced,” but nearly 28% said they feel “loved but overwhelmed” or “unseen and tired.” These findings suggest that despite familial bonds, many mothers still feel emotionally invisible in their day-to-day roles.

Mental exhaustion (41%) and a constant to-do list (32%) were cited as the most frequent daily challenges, with only 36% saying they get more than an hour of personal time per day. The most significant barrier preventing mothers from prioritising their own wellness was family responsibilities (57%), followed by lack of time and guilt (27%).

However, it also promised hope in small changes. An overwhelming 67% of mums said they would actively use wellness-friendly policies such as small breaks, flexible hours, or period leave if offered. When asked what would make them feel truly supported, nearly half (46%) pointed to shared responsibilities at home, while others said they wanted more expressed love and care (26%) or guilt-free time for themselves (13%).

Commenting on the survey findings, Habuild Co-founder Saurabh Bothra said, “Selflessness is inherent to motherhood, but that doesn’t mean mothers don’t need care or support. They rarely complain about managing their days, yet this survey shows they simply need a bit of help to find time for themselves. Hence this Mother’s Day, we encourage all of you to create a constant support system for our mothers’ well-being. At Habuild also we are constantly trying to empower mothers to build a habit to focus on their own wellbeing like they do it for their family.”