There’s no denying that having a baby can be one of the most life-changing experiences you’ll ever go through. There are going to be ups and downs that can completely change your perspective on life and seriously affect your mental health. After giving birth, your newborn baby, your mind and your body can feel completely different.
The World Health Organization estimates that around 13% of all new mothers have a mental health-related condition that occurs after giving birth. With this number rising increasingly over time, it’s even more important for mothers to know and understand how to care for their mental health.
While there’s nothing wrong with having a mental health condition, the side effects can be highly unpleasant. Leaving you feeling exhausted, tired, drained, and can even affect your relationships with others.
In this guide, we are going to explore how you can stay happy and healthy after having a baby!
Signs of a Mental Health Condition
Mental health conditions after giving birth are very easily developed. Although, the new life-changes you face may make it difficult for you to notice whether anything is wrong.
Some of the key signs include things like not being able or willing to keep up with your relationships, not making time for yourself, sleep deprivation, and lack of self-care.
There’s no denying that you may face some of these key signs after having a newborn. Though, you need to be able to distinguish between the mental health signs and your post-baby responsibilities. You have to have a balance in your life that allows you to stay healthy.
Reaching Out for Help
Emma Goodwin, a lifestyle blogger for Best British Essays and Revieweal stated,
If you feel like life is getting to you, that something isn’t right, or you have a suspicion that you’re not feeling right or burning out, the best thing you can do is to reach out to someone for help. Reach out to someone you can trust, whether that’s your husband, your friend, or even a colleague.
Even just the act of going to talk to someone and venting your thoughts can make a big difference in your mental health and be very beneficial. This will help you to avoid feeling alone and getting caught up with your thoughts.
Everybody knows that becoming a mother is a big step in life. Mother-ship may even require you to hold back all your thoughts and feelings, which can be incredibly tiresome! Be open and honest with yourself and others. If you need help, remember that your loved ones are there for you.
Introduce Self-Care into Your Life
If you don’t already, make sure you’re giving yourself the chance to bring some self-care into your life. This could be anything from getting a haircut, having a bath, reading a book, going for a walk, or just having a day to yourself.
You can always ask your partner, family or friends to babysit for a few hours. Remember that you’re not expected to be around the baby 24 hours a day and do absolutely everything. You need to have a break and make sure you’re spending some time on yourself.
Therapy can be a great addition to your schedule. Therapy is renowned for being an incredibly helpful practise for anyone, especially if you feel like you’re struggling.
Andy Taylor, a health writer for UK Top Writers and Best Australian Writers shared,
When you finish reading this guide, try sitting down for 10 minutes in a quiet space with a bit of paper and a pen or your computer. Try writing down whatever is playing on your mind. Don’t worry about writing in a certain way or for anyone else; this is solely for you, like a brain dump…You could write paragraphs or simply bullet points; it’s completely up to you. Just write the first sentence and see where it goes. You’ll be amazed at how easy it is to keep going once you’ve started and how much of a relief it can feel. You may even have a revelation!
Look After Yourself & Your Mental Health
This point is perhaps the most important. Of course, things change when you have a baby and you grow your family. Make sure you have a proper sleeping pattern and routine, that you’re exercising and you’re eating properly.
It is easy to fall out of sync with your healthy habits once you become a new parent, especially when your mind seems to run at a million thoughts per minute. Even implementing new habits can do wonders for your mental health and will make you feel stronger than before.
Even doing half an hour of exercise daily can make you feel amazing. It might be difficult to start introducing yourself to a more active and healthy lifestyle, but the more you force yourself, the easier it will get and the more beneficial it will be!
Connect with Other Mothers
One of the best ways you can improve how you’re feeling and to remind yourself that a lot of mothers experience similar things as you, so try to connect with other mums! There are plenty of mother’s groups and support networks out there; it simply depends on your local area.
During these sessions, you’ll be able to explore what problems other mothers are facing and what they are thinking, as well as be able to share your own experiences. These connections can be incredibly helpful and can-do wonders for your mental health.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are plenty of approaches you can take when it comes to caring for yourself and your mental health as a mother. Don’t worry, you’re not alone when it comes to facing and dealing with mental health conditions. With patience and a bit of self-care, you can manage your symptoms and help yourself to be the best and healthiest version of you.
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