As a new mom, every moment is filled with magic. The wonder of experiencing new life is an unprecedented joy: the first time your baby smiles, laughs, or says their first word are instances that affect you deeply and make a mark on your memory, forever. There’s really nothing like it. But, transitioning into motherhood can be a challenging task, especially when you are learning to care for a being who is totally dependent on you for all of their needs.
Many new moms struggle with feeling guilty about taking time for themselves when their babies are legitimately demanding of their time and attention. However, it’s been proven that moms who allocate time for self-care are able to better foster secure attachment in their babies’ developing brains and emotional systems.
Self-Care for Moms: Make Time for It
Luckily, there are so many options these days that can assist you in creating the time and space for self-care in your daily routine as a new mom! From meditation apps and online yoga classes, to natural remedies for stress and anxiety like essential oils and CBD-infused products, self-care has never been so accessible.
With a new baby in tow, making time to attend a scheduled yoga class can feel out of reach – and understandably so! But with the advent of online courses, the health benefits of yoga can be easily incorporated into your daily routine, from your living room. Give this Soothing 7-Pose Post-Natal Yoga Practice a try.
Depending on how far into recovery from the often-traumatic birth process you may be, there are several yoga practice techniques that offer the benefits you need. Restorative yoga – often referred to as yin yoga – can be very helpful for those who are seeking a gentle, relaxation and breath-based practice. This type of yoga can also be very helpful with embodiment, an important self-care piece for many new moms, as it can feel like you’re getting to know a whole new body after all of the changes.
Start a Journaling Practice
A journaling practice is an amazing way to reconnect to the self during the transition into motherhood. Many new moms experience a sense of “who am I now?” after giving birth, and that makes sense – the whole nature of life has changed, and expanded in new ways!
But that doesn’t mean you need to give up your inner dreams, desires and thoughts, To the contrary, those are integral pieces that make you unique. Keeping a gratitude journal, in particular, has been shown to improve mental and emotional health across the board.
If you’re a creative type, a free-flowing journaling practice (try it when your baby naps!) can also be a safe and inspiring place to record new ideas or just PLAY. You may discover new perspectives that are a breath of fresh air to your old ways of thinking.
Reap the Benefits of Nature
Fresh air and sunshine have been considered to be safe, effective healing remedies for centuries – for good reason! There’s something truly therapeutic about experiencing birdsong, feeling the wind on your face, and connecting with the earth.
Some new moms who are avid outdoorspeople enjoy incorporating their new baby into their love for nature, whether it’s hiking through the woods a few times per week or strolling along a nearby walking path. Moving your body in a rhythmic way and getting out of the house can reconnect you to what’s really important: your own internal landscape, and your love for your child.
