Are you a new mom struggling to prioritize your mental health? Let us help you out! Mental health is crucial, especially when caring for a newborn. For me, it means recognizing that both good and bad things happen and trusting that they do not define me. It also involves understanding why we react to certain situations and setting boundaries to avoid passing on harmful behaviors.
As a new mom, I faced unexpected challenges and struggled with feelings of inadequacy and identity crises. Although I did not experience postpartum depression, I remember feeling overwhelmed when my daughter wouldn’t latch onto my breast after I switched deodorant scents. But through these experiences, I’ve learned some helpful tips that I’m happy to share with you. These five mental health hacks can help you stay on top of your A-game, whether you’re a new parent or just need a mental health boost.
Ask For Help
Do you ever wish we still lived in a community where “the village” helped and supported each other? Caring for a newborn is overwhelming, and no amount of preparation can truly prepare you for the physical, hormonal, and emotional changes that come with it. Even your partner may not fully understand what you’re going through. That’s why it’s important to ask for help! So please ask for help! Invite your parents (who’ve raised kids of their own) to be initiated into grandparenthood. If you don’t have a good relationship with your parents or they’re not available, ask a friend or neighbor over to help while you do laundry or shower.
Remember, you don’t have to do it all alone. Your pediatrician, OB, and even companies like “Call Emmy,” Postmates, Instacart, and GrubHub are all available to help. Don’t hesitate to reach out for support. Shortening your to-do list can lead to better peace of mind and improved mental health. As social beings, it’s not natural to be isolated and trapped with a demanding baby without any support.
Get Out Of The House
It’s tempting to stay home where everything your baby needs is within reach, but leaving the house can be a wonderful opportunity for growth and fresh air. Take walks, visit friends, run errands, get a pedicure – the more you leave the house, the more control you’ll feel over your new situation. When I started leaving the house, I developed a system of what I and my baby needed when we were away from home. It was a reminder of how beautiful life is.
Keep sight of the bigger picture and continue doing what you enjoyed before becoming a parent. Getting out can help you feel like yourself again and even give you a well-deserved break as your baby falls asleep on the go.
Develop A Routine Or Schedule
For some, having a purpose and structure is essential to their mental health. After the first week of staying home with my newborn daughter, I needed to take control of our day and create a routine that worked for us. By understanding her sleep and feeding schedules, I was able to develop a daily schedule that we really enjoyed and benefited from.
Our schedule consisted of waking up, feeding, changing, going for a walk outside, feeding, napping, personal time, outdoor activities or errands, feeding, more personal time, welcoming dad home for dinner, feeding, changing, bedtime, and more. Having structure helped me plan doctor visits, friend visits, and other errands. Our days became full of meaning and order, which positively impacted my mental health. Remember that everyone is different, and what works for one person may not work for another.
Set Expectations And Boundaries
I made the mistake of taking on all the responsibilities for my newborn daughter while her father worked. This is because felt it was my duty to handle everything, which led to resentment and mental fatigue. I gave him a “free pass” to relax and sleep all night, causing me to run myself ragged with no help, even when he was home.
Instead, I should have set expectations upfront and asked for help from the beginning. Building myself up to handle everything was not sustainable, so setting boundaries would have been beneficial. These little things chipped away at my mental health, but it was a lesson learned that can be helpful for all new moms.
Prioritize Self-care
I know this phrase and concept is so overused and boring, but it’s really true. Taking time for yourself is just as important as creating a schedule and getting out of the house when you’re a new mom. A great self-care tip is to take a long shower while your baby naps nearby. It’s an opportunity to cleanse your skin, relax, and feel rejuvenated. This little act of self-care gave me a sense of control and purpose, reminding me that I still cared about myself and my well-being.
In addition to a long shower, taking naps throughout the day can also be beneficial. It helps your nervous system calm down, prioritize your day, and get through the night. Remember to ask yourself what you want and make self-care a top priority in your day, whether going for a walk with music or a podcast, taking supplements, taking a long shower, or taking a nap when you can. These small acts of self-care can make a big difference in your mental health.
Conclusion
So there you have it! Mental health hacks don’t come from products you can buy online. They come from simple efforts you can make in your daily life to bring joy, order, and relaxation. Every new mom may have a different list of what works for them, but these things made a difference for me. What are some mental health hacks that have worked for you?
