Nothing is more life-changing for most women than becoming a mother. You have brought a small bundle of joy into the world whose smile is enough to make your day. However, motherhood is far from the picture-perfect Instagram moments.
Becoming a mother is wonderful but comes with its fair share of challenges. After all, you have a needy newborn who requires your attention around the clock. A newborn can take all your time and energy from changing nappies to feeding. As a young and new mother, you must give yourself time to recover and heal postpartum.
Most moms who fail to look after themselves suffer from anxiety and depression. They also develop body image issues since their body changes postpartum. If you experience something similar, keep reading. Here, we have six tips for young moms to improve their well-being.
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Focus on Your Physical Health
As newborns have no schedule, mothers are on their toes 24/7, feeding and looking after the baby. Soon enough, this leads to exhaustion and fatigue, leaving mothers with no energy. Therefore, you must focus on your physical health. Instead of getting all chores done when your baby falls asleep, try to catch up on your sleep and relieve yourself of all responsibilities.
Furthermore, take extra care of your lower back, especially if you take an epidural before delivery. Avoid bending and lifting anything heavy that can strain your back. If you feel discomfort while sleeping, consider investing in a new Tempurpedic mattress. It comes with spring coils and an additional layer of Tempur-es, giving a softer feel to your back. Lastly, focus on your diet and its nutritional impact. After all, your body needs loads of vitamins and minerals to heal postpartum.
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Schedule “Me” Time
Being a mom takes a lot of work, energy, and time. Initially, mothers don’t recognize this change, but gradually, they feel overwhelmed, considering all their work has been pending. Even though the baby will keep you occupied, finding some time for yourself every day is imperative. You can use this time to do something you enjoy. You can have a skin-care routine, watch a show you like, paint, or call a friend.
Being a mom doesn’t mean that your life should only revolve around your children. Always remember who you are other than being a mother by taking time for yourself and your hobbies. It will improve your mental well-being, ensuring you don’t feel overwhelmed by the new role and responsibilities.
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Stop Comparing Yourself to Other Moms
Most mothers have a habit of comparing themselves with others. They often say things like, “Her house is cleaner than mine,” “She is doing a better job than me,” or “She returned to work within two months.” These comparisons can kill the joy of motherhood. Every mother’s journey is different; hence, comparing your life with someone can only lead to self-criticism.
If you have fallen into this trap and noticed how a new mom looks more put together, stop immediately. Instead, take a deep breath and tell yourself you are doing your best! Be proud of your achievements as a young mother, and stop comparing yourself.
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Cut Down on Chores & Errands
Is your home a mess? You haven’t pressed the clothes yet? It is okay to be behind chores when you have a newborn baby. Your baby will need multiple feeding sessions, often cry, and need diaper changes, which will keep you occupied the entire time. Instead of trying to do everything simultaneously at one time of the day, focus on your mental health and reduce unnecessary errands. Nothing will happen if you clean the house thrice a week rather than cleaning it every day.
Besides this, minimize unnecessary errands by utilizing technology. You can use a subscription meal service if you cannot cook at home. Likewise, order groceries online instead of going to the supermarket. In short, don’t be hard on yourself if you cannot complete a chore. Your laundry and unread emails will still be there when you are ready for them.
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Get Moving
As a young mom, you might feel like you have been moving non-stop since birth. However, you must take time for some physical exercise post-delivery to get back in shape. A slow-paced exercise routine can be an instant mood lifter. Exercising releases endorphins in your brain – the happy hormones, making you feel good.
However, exercising doesn’t mean you need to head to the gym every single day on a schedule. Instead, it could be any form of physical activity. You can go for a jog around the block when your baby is fast asleep in the morning, and your partner can take over or go for an evening stroll with your baby. Besides improving your physical health, it can go a long way in improving your mental well-being. Stats suggest that running 15 minutes every day can reduce the risk of depression by 26%, which is common among new mothers.
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Don’t be Afraid to Ask for Help
Asking for help is hard for every mother. Most feel that handling the child is their responsibility and seeking help isn’t right, whereas others don’t want to become dependent on others. However, seeking help doesn’t make you a bad mom. You can always contact a trusted family member to watch your child whenever you feel overwhelmed. If your parents or friends are in the same city, you can call them for help.
Otherwise, look for a babysitter for a few hours. They will look after your baby while you can get that much-needed sleep or complete all the pending chores. Moreover, you can join new parent groups on social media. It offers tons of support options and advice for new parents. You will come across many new moms finding their way through motherhood, showing you are not alone in this.
Final Thoughts
Every young mom must understand that you must be healthy first to best care for the baby. That means stop neglecting your health and focus on well-being. The more you take time to relax and unwind, the better you will feel about yourself as a parent. In addition, you will be mentally more available for your newborn child.