Leane Before you have kids, it’s impossible to even begin to comprehend how much time they’re going to take up. I always knew that they would take up a lot of time, which is one of the reasons why I waited so long to have one, but I didn’t’ realise how easy it would be to get so focused on caring for one tiny new human. Throw in lack of sleep, recovery, adjusting to your postpartum body, and maybe even post natal depression and it’s easy to forget to do some of the most basic self care things that we need to function as human beings.
Shower and moisturise
It’s very common to hear new mums say that they don’t even have time to shower on a daily basis; in fact, I’ve had friends who say that they struggled for the first two years of their children’s lives. Showering is one of the most basic forms of self care, and it goes a long way to making you feel better. A nice moisturiser afterwards helps your skin recover from all the havoc wreaked on it by pregnancy and postpartum hormones! The easiest way get a daily shower is to get someone else to watch the baby for ten minutes. If this isn’t an option, take them in the bathroom with you (this is still applicable even when they reach toddlerhood).
Connect with people
Whether that’s friends and family, baby groups, friends you’ve made at ante-natal classes, or even online, talking to other people who have been or are going through the early stages of motherhood can be a lifesaver. They’ll understand your frustrations, share in your excitement at the different milestones your baby hits, be able to empathise with the amount of times you get u at night, and just reassure you when the ‘is it normal for my baby to…’ questions start bouncing round your head.
Watch a movie
It really can be as simple as that. Just switching off for an hour or two and not focusing on anything other that what’s happening on the screen in front of you can help you feel like you’ve got a bit of me tine in.
If you’re not really into TV or movies, reading is a great way of escaping for a bit. Fiction, self-help books, autobiographies, or educational books – whatever you’re enjoy.
Journal
Writing down your thoughts and feelings can be so cathartic, and really help make sense of what’s going on around you. It’s also a great way of recording what you get up to in those early days, as it can be difficult to remember it when you look back.
Move
This could be at the gym, a fitness class, at home Pilates, dancing round with your baby, a long walk through the park – anything that you enjoy. Our bodies are designed to move; it eases a lot of aches and pains, gets endorphins flowing to help us feel happier, helps us sleep better, and generally makes us feel better. It doesn’t have to be a big commitment; just a short walk or a 15 minute online exercise class it enough to get you started.
Get outside
This one goes hand in hand with the one above. Fresh air and sunlight (when you can find some!) all go a long way to making you feel better and help you get more sleep, leaving you somewhat refreshed and happier.
Eat well
I don’t mean going on an extreme diet but your body will thank you for getting your five (or seven or ten, however many it is now) in a day, limiting processed foods, and drinking plenty of water. Although comfort foods are the most tempting thing when you’re feeling down (believe me, I’ve binged many a packet of biscuits since becoming a mum), they don’t do anything to improve your mood longterm, and can actually make you feel rubbish about yourself.
Ask for help
For many people, asking for help can be quite a difficult thing. But it can make a world of difference. It reduces the mental load, and gives you time to focus on yourself. Whether you need help with household chores, or looking after the baby, or help with your mental health, don’t be afraid to ask the people around you. You might be surprised by how helpful some people are!
Learn something new
I love learning new things; I find it really helps me feel good when I’ve got my brain working. It can be anything that you want to learn – a new sport, how to knit, how to start a business, a new language, anything you want. Since Babybel was three months old I’ve learned how to create Youtube videos and edit and upload them, how to create thumbnails, built a website, started an Etsy shop, how to use TikTok and so many other things. Having a creative outlet like these things has really helped me feel like I’m doing something useful.
Pamper night (or hour)
You may not have the tine for a whole pamper night, but an hour in the bath with a face mask and sone chilled music, followed by painting your nails (or whatever a pamper session looks like for you) can really make you feel better.
Get your hair, nails, lashes done
Whatever it is that you enjoy having done, take some time to go and have it done. It could be a massage, or a facial, or a pedicure, but something that’s all about you is the ultimate self care.
I’d love to hear what you do to unwind and look after yourself.
