6 Postpartum Self-Care Ideas to Get Back to Feeling Yourself

 

Let’s face it, a long pregnancy and the birth of your new baby can leave new mommies feeling worn out and maybe even a little bit sad or melancholy.

The good thing is, this is totally normal.

In fact, 70% to 80% of women will experience some kind of “baby blues” while 1 in 7 women may experience more clinical postpartum depression. The point is, you’re not alone!

Likewise, if you’re feeling the baby blues, there are some things you can do, and steps you can take, to alleviate these symptoms. Below are some of the top self-care tips to help you get back to feeling yourself again!

Take Care of Your Mind

When it comes to those postpartum blues, taking care of your mental health is of the utmost importance. Certainly, one of the more common ways to do this is by seeking the guidance of a mental health professional such as a therapist or psychiatrist. There are a number of ways to get professional help if you think you may need it.

There are other ways to practice mindfulness and improve mental health as well. We appreciate meditation apps like Headspace, which help you scale your meditation from five minutes all the way up to several hours. The former can be quite useful when you need a quick five-minute meditative “tune up.”

Likewise, there are apps like Calm that can help reduce stress and aid in sleep—all available right at your fingertips!

Take Care of Your Body

After you’ve done some work on your mind, next is your body. Although, especially when we’re feeling a little blue or a little tired, the last thing we want to do is exercise. But research has proven that exercise makes you happy and leads to increased levels of serotonin (the stuff in your brain that gives you good feelings). That’s science, folks and there’s little room to deny it. So, it’s never a bad idea is to engage in some light physical activity.

And it doesn’t have to be a trip to the gym. You could take a walk around the neighborhood or just have an impromptu dance party in your living room. Any way you can, get your body moving for at least 10 minutes a day. You might be surprised by how much better you feel afterward!

Give Yourself Some Space

Soon after your baby is born, it can feel like a deluge of people all descend onto your house at once. Suddenly everyone and their cousin is coming out of the woodwork to see the new addition to your family. And while their intentions are often good, they can inadvertently make us feel overwhelmed with constant social pressure.

Therefore, don’t be afraid to tell your friends and family when you need some space. They’ll understand and respect your decision for a little peace and quiet for a while. Then, once you’re ready, you can invite them back to meet the new baby.

Or, Surround Yourself with People

Alternately, some thrive when in social situations and very much believe that it “takes a village.” If you’re that kind of person, invite as many people as you need into your house. This is also a great way to off-load some of the daily chores onto others. Dirty dishes? Thanks for washing those Aunt Carla. Floor needs mopping? Uncle Ken can help with that.

It likely won’t surprise you to see just how many of your friends and family will be ready to pitch in and help out when you need some time to get off your feet.

Retail Therapy

Then, there’s also the old stand-by—retail therapy. And, the good news is there’s science to prove that there are actual psychological rewards to exercising your power as a consumer.

Go ahead, treat yourself to a new bra, or new dress to wear the next time you and your hubby get a date night (whenever that is!).

Of course, you could also buy something new, cute and cozy for your baby. 

Ask for Help

Above all, remember that if you put out your hand, someone will grab it. Whether you choose to express your feelings to your partner, your parents or a trusted friend, just do it and do it as soon as you feel comfortable sharing. Don’t suffer in silence. Remember, you’re not alone.