It’s no secret that having a baby takes a toll on your body. And, it’s completely understandable that you might feel unhappy with your post-baby body. There’s also a good chance that since you’ve had your baby, you’ve not had much time to “bounce back” physically or mentally and instead, you’ve experienced rushed meals that probably aren’t the healthiest option you could go for and a quick nap here and there. If you’ve got to a point where you want to get your mental and physical health back up, you’ve come to the right place. Just because you’ve had a baby, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t look after yourself too! With that in mind, let’s look at some ways you can feel more like yourself sooner rather than later.
Listen to your body
It’s easy to pick at the leftovers of your children’s food or grab a quick chocolate bar instead of something healthy, but it’s simply not doing you or your health any good. Your best bet is to stock up on healthy snacks and prepare your meals in batches so that when you don’t have the time or energy to prepare your food, you at least know that you’ll be eating something that’s beneficial to your body. You should also learn how to listen to your body when it comes to your eating habits. Did you know that the body often mistakes thirst for hunger? When this happens, it’s so easy to end up eating more than you actually need to. When you think you’re hungry, try having a glass of water and waiting ten minutes. You’ll find that more often than not, you need to have a drink rather than eat something.
You should also listen to your body in the sense of knowing when to stop eating. We’re brought up to finish the meal we’ve been given but quite often, you don’t actually need to eat that much. Instead, try eating until the feeling of hunger has subsided. If there’s any food left, you can wrap it up and eat it later. Not only does this prevent you from overeating, but your body will find it much easier to digest smaller amounts of food. You might find that you’re eating smaller amounts more often, but your body will thank you for it.
Bond with your baby
Did you know that there are numerous health benefits for both you and your baby by simply spending time with each other? You are your baby’s source of comfort! After all, they spent nine months growing safe and sound inside of your body! But did you know that your baby provides you comfort too? Many new mothers experience mental health difficulties after having their baby, and the time you spend bonding with your baby can help your mental health!
Skin-to-skin contact is the best way of doing this. Not only is it an amazing experience for both mother and baby, but it’s so beneficial. This article answers the question of how often should you do skin to skin, and how much it can help you and your baby.
Don’t feel bad about having personal time
You naturally want to be there for your baby, but it’s also important to have personal time too. The problem that most mothers face is that they feel guilty when they do. However, it’s important to make sure that you’re looking after your mental health, and that’s exactly what me time is designed for. It doesn’t matter what you do at that time, whether you take a nap, go for a walk, or spend a bit of time pampering yourself; you’ll notice how refreshed you feel afterward.
So, instead of feeling guilty about accepting help from someone to give yourself some free time, take the help and build your mental health back up! Being a mother isn’t an easy task, and both you and your baby need you to be in a sound mind!
Start to build your strength back up
While it’s perfectly okay to exercise when you’re pregnant, you get to a point where you simply don’t feel like moving. And, because of this, you may have lost some of your strength and fitness towards the end of your pregnancy. Even if you can’t do much to begin with, it’s important to keep in mind that with every step you take and every weight you lift (no matter how small), you’re lapping someone that’s not taking action when it comes to their health.
If going to the gym doesn’t sound appealing to you, then consider trying some other ways of getting fit. Going for long walks with your baby is another great way to connect. Alternatively, you could sign yourself up for an aqua aerobics class or go swimming when you’ve got someone to take care of your baby. Again, you might not feel like you can do much to begin with, but you’ll soon begin to notice your fitness levels improving and before you know it, you’ll be feeling and looking better than ever.
Get outside
Being a parent is tiring, especially when you’ve got a young baby who needs constant attention and doesn’t sleep all the way through the night. It’s understandable that some days you simply won’t feel like doing much, but this isn’t going to do your physical or emotional well-being any favours.
Even if you don’t go far from your home, spending some time outside each day will help improve your mental health. And, if you’re going for a walk, it will also help your physical health too. Plus, getting outside exposes you to vitamin D, which is really beneficial for your health. All you need is 5-15 minutes a day to get enough exposure, so get yourself out there and enjoy some fresh air!
If you struggle to go out alone due to anxieties or whatever reason, consider inviting a friend or family member along. You could buy a coffee and walk around your local park or if you’re feeling really adventurous, invest in a baby carrier and go for hikes!
Savour these moments
While you might be feeling a little out of your depth right now, it’s also important to savour every single moment with your baby. It’s true when they say that time passes way too quickly when you’ve got a baby. In the blink of an eye they’ll be walking, and then before you know it you’ll be waving them off for their first day of school.
Take lots of pictures of you and your baby to cherish those memories, and never pass up the chance to hug and kiss your teeny tiny baby! They’re not little for long!
Don’t isolate yourself
Finally, it’s all too easy to get into a routine where it’s just you and your baby at home. While it’s perfectly okay to have days where you simply spend time together, it’s also important not to isolate yourself. Isolation can quickly lead to loneliness and trigger all sorts of social anxieties that can be hard to recover from.
So, if you’re invited out for a coffee with some friends, go for it! Or if someone asks if they can come and spend time with you, welcome them in! Not only is it a great chance for you to socialise with people you care about, but it’s also very likely that they will be more than willing to take care of your baby for you while you get some things done.