Taking care of yourself emotionally is incredibly important, especially during the post-pregnancy period. It’s true that pregnancy brings about a range of discomforts and mood swings, but once your baby arrives, you tend to forget about all the hardships. However, there are days when you struggle to connect with your post-pregnancy body. Dealing with a protruding belly, dark circles, body aches, household responsibilities, hair loss, stretch marks, and a demanding baby can be overwhelming.

In the midst of all these challenges, it’s vital to prioritize your emotional well-being. Remember that taking care of yourself emotionally is not selfish; it’s necessary for your overall health and happiness. Carve out moments for self-care and seek support from your partner, family, or friends. Don’t hesitate to ask for help when you need it. By nurturing your emotional health, you’ll be better equipped to handle the demands of motherhood with strength and resilience.

Pregnancy and being able to take care of a baby is a remarkable feat, no easy job. And to compromise with your needs of vanity over the needs of survival of the infant is only logical. In such a situation, it’s easy to fall into a cycle of self-pity.” I don’t look pretty any more. No one really likes me. My friends make fun of my sagging bust and hanging belly. Oh, the past nine months have made me look at least 10 years older and ugly too!”

The first thing I would tell you is that You are not ugly, until you convince yourself that you are.

Look around – all your friends and people around you who have been through child birth have gone through this phase of being ugly. But don’t worry, it really isn’t that bad (although it seems like it) and at the risk of sounding like a cliche, we’ll also say that ‘this too shall pass’. But that doesn’t mean that you don’t have to feel good about yourself now. And it’s not as hard as it sounds, with our tips, you’ll be well on your way to feeling all shiny and fresh!

6 Insane (but Effective) Ways to Start Taking Care of Yourself After Childbirth

1.       The Power of Self Talk

Look at yourself in the mirror. I know you see a woman who looked a lot better some time back and you end up saying things like – “God, I look so fat” or “Look at those boobs… why weight on the boobs?” or may be “God knows when I’ll be able to visit the beauty parlour; I look like a bear!”

What to do?

Make yourself a priority by taking intentional steps to care for your emotional well-being. Embrace activities like practicing Yoga at home or going for a leisurely walk with your baby. And don’t forget the power of dance! Put on your favorite music, let loose, and let the rhythm uplift your mood. Taking care of yourself emotionally is a beautiful act of self-love. In just 30 minutes of engaging in these activities, you’ll feel the positive impact deep within, leading to a happier and more fulfilling post-pregnancy life. Remember, you deserve this time for yourself.

2.       Learn to Be Happy Irrespective of the Situation

Make happiness a choice, not an alternative. If your husband buys you roses, it makes you happy, and if he does not, you cry yourself to bed – change these ideologies of happiness. Happiness, as believed by most psychologists, is a state of the mind, which can be developed irrespective of an external stimulus.

What to do?

On days you feel gloomy and “ugly”, try wearing your favorite dress, with your favorite make up and jewelry. If that sounds unmanageable with the baby, get a babysitter, put on some music and go for a walk or watch some of your favorite shows on TV. It helps to talk to someone you trust and like spending time with, and just the process of venting can bring you a lot of peace. Diversion from a negative situation is the key and remember, if you are determined to feel happy, no one can make you feel otherwise.

3.       Make some Necessary Changes in Routine

Now let’s come to working out the physical changes and the first step in changing your regular habits is to make space for some exercise in your routine. By exercise, we do not mean that you hit the gym or wake up at wee hours of dawn and jog yourself to the level of crazy.

What to Do?

Take small steps to prioritize taking care of yourself emotionally after childbirth. Try practicing Yoga at home or take leisurely walks with your baby. Dance to lively music together—just 30 minutes of this joyful activity can significantly boost your mood and nurture your post-pregnancy journey. Embrace self-care and regain confidence in yourself as a new mother, making your emotional well-being a top priority.

4.       Maintenance Matters

Overgrown eyebrows, a moustache over your lips, body hair, dark circles along with dull and sagging skin – these are just some of the gifts our hormones present us with, and can further lower our self esteem.

What to Do?

There is no easy way out here; just take some time out for a visit to the beauty parlor. You may also choose to have a professional come to your home, which is quite a common phenomenon these days. Although you still need to make time either way, you can keep an eye on your child when you avail of a beautician’s home services.

5.       The Sagging Bust, Bulging Tummy and the Dreaded Stretch marks

The sagging bust, bulging tummy, and those dreaded stretch marks may not have quick fixes. They might become long-term companions on your post-pregnancy journey. While the hanging tummy tends to recede in a few months, it may still linger for some time.

As for the stretch marks, they tend to lighten over about a year but will still remain visible. Instead of viewing them as flaws, embrace them as pregnancy stripes—a testament to the incredible journey you’ve been through. Remember, taking care of yourself emotionally is key to accepting and embracing these changes with a positive attitude. Allow yourself to celebrate the journey and the miraculous changes your body has gone through.

What to do?

Wearing the right kind and size of bras that fit you perfectly goes a long, long way in making you retain your shape. An underwire can support the fullness of your breasts and prevent further sagging. Make sure that you don’t wear uncomfortable or very tight bras as long as you’re breast feeding, as they can affect the production and supply of breast milk. The bulging tummy can, to some extent, be improved with exercises. The hanging tummy can also be managed with the newly emergent shape-wear series that contains the flab.

6.       Be Thankful For What You Have, And Accept What You Cannot Change

Most of the changes in your post-natal body are a result of nature’s way of getting your body ready for pregnancy and childbirth and there are no quick fixes for them. The best thing you can do is to not make yourself feel horrible by comparing yourself to other women, or to your pre-pregnancy self.  Everyone has their own body type and each person’s body ‘bounces back’ differently after pregnancy.

Last but not least, remember what the Dalai Lama said, “Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions. ” It’s also true that our thoughts control our actions, so to be happy, think happy! Do try our tips for taking care of yourself emotionally and let me know what worked for you and what didn’t. And if they worked, don’t forget to spread the love by sharing!

Author

“Honey Nagpal Lalwani is a trained Counseling Psychologist. Due to a highly complicated pregnancy, she had to give up a full time career and switch to being a Full Time Mom. Now her world is defined by her twin boys. She believes in the Modern school of parenting that is thoroughly backed by science and logic. She questions the norms and works her way out to a more creative form of parenting, which is now not just her job, but also her passion!”