How To Feel Your Best After Pregnancy
Pregnancy is a tough time for many women (even if it’s also a wonderful time!), but once your baby arrives, you might assume everything will get back to normal pretty quickly. However, the fact is that once you’ve given birth, your body and mind go through a whole new set of changes, and you might find that adjusting to life with a newborn is more of a challenge than you expected. However, no matter how you feel or what you’re doing, taking care of your own wellbeing is just as important as caring for your new baby, and although it might seem impossible to find the time, it can (and must) be done. With that in mind, keep reading to find out how.
Be Kind To Yourself
The first thing you need to know and remember is that it’s crucial to be kind to yourself if you want to feel your best after pregnancy. Think about it; your body just went through a huge experience, and it needs time to recover, and although it’s easy to fall into the trap of comparing yourself to others or wanting to ‘bounce back’ as soon as you can (or sooner!), everyone is different. That’s why you need to give yourself some time and be kind – you’ll get there in the end, and it’s not a race.
And it’s not just your physical self this all applies to; your mental and emotional health is important too. Sleep deprivation, hormonal changes, and the pressure of being a new mom can all take a toll, and you might find yourself feeling low – and that’s completely normal. Be patient, reach out for help if you need it, and find a little time just for you whenever you can – use that time to sleep, read, take a bath, go for a walk, exercise, or even enjoy a mommy makeover, and you’ll feel so much better.
Focus On Nourishment
There’s a lot to do when you’ve got a new baby, and it’s easy to forget about your own nutrition when you’re so focused on your baby, but feeding yourself and keeping yourself hydrated is actually the key (or at least one of the most important keys) to feeling good mentally and physically. One thing you can do is try to have balanced meals with plenty of fruit and vegetables rather than relying on processed food and takeout, which will be tempting, but will often make you feel worse in the end.
It’s also great if you can meal prep and batch cook, but of course that’s going to depend on how much time you can find, how much energy you have, and how well you are in general. If you can’t manage that just yet, consider asking a friend or family member to help you – they could come over and cook or bring you food, and they’ll understand and more than likely be happy to help, so don’t be afraid to ask.
Get Moving
While it’s very important to take it easy after giving birth, doing some gentle movements can really do wonders for your energy and mood, so why not give it a go? Check with your doctor first to make sure it’s okay, and then start gradually getting more activity into your routine.
The great thing about exercise is that it releases endorphins, which can make you feel great but also reduce stress, and at this time in your life, that’s exactly what you’ll need to feel your best after pregnancy.
