Guest article from ripped.me
Finally, your 9-month-long baby bump is gone and you get to hold your baby in your arms. That’s what it’s all about, right? While miraculous, motherhood is truly a demanding job that requires your 24/7 attention, which can often be too much to handle. When things get overwhelming, here are some tips that can help you deal with stress and achieve relaxation.
Learn how to say no
If you’re a new mom, there are probably many family members and friends who want to see you and the baby. However, childbirth and the first few weeks at home are hard work and can leave you feeling totally exhausted. It’s only natural that you need time to recover and get the hang of being a mom. So, don’t feel embarrassed to say no to people who want to come for a visit. Make sure to explain that you’re not feeling ready for friendly chats and ask for a rain check—everyone will understand.
Ditch something from your to-do list
Don’t get this wrong; task lists are literal lifesavers in many situations, but when you’re barely keeping it together, they can do more harm than good. In that case, grab your list, analyze your tasks, and eliminate one unnecessary thing. For instance, you can order something and eliminate cooking or you can reschedule one of your appointments for next week. Slowing down can often make you more productive and the action of making your to-do list smaller will instantly make you feel better.
Spend more time outside
Even when you think you don’t have time to spend outside, you do. Plus, every single moment spent in fresh air and sunshine will clear your brain and bring a new perspective into your life. If you’re able to go on a light walk, do so, but if you’re not, stepping outside for a few minutes will also do the trick.
Seek help from others
Sometimes, all you need is a little piece of advice from someone who’s been through all of the things you’re experiencing right now. If you don’t have a like-minded woman by your side, you can check out some practical and fun new mom apps and meet many mothers dealing with the same issues as you. You can chat, share tips, and just offer support to one another when things get overwhelming. If you live near one another, you can even organize coffee dates and get out of the house alone or with your little ones.
Schedule relaxation time
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You schedule meals, chores, childcare, and various appointments, so why not schedule some me-time? Relaxation is just as important as any other task, so make sure not to skimp on it. For instance, you can take your older child to practice, leave your youngest at the grandparents’, and have a relaxing haircut, manicure, or massage. Once a month, book a nice spa day and chill out with a glass of champagne. Make sure not to miss your scheduled relaxation time no matter how busy you are!
Make meals easy and fast
You might have pre-made a bunch of meals before you went to the hospital, but these probably ran out a long time ago. Now you’re faced with cooking, which can be exhausting and frankly quite dangerous when you’re getting only four hours of sleep every night. Sure, you can live on frozen pizza and Chinese takeout, but that’s unhealthy, unsustainable, and financially damaging. Here’s a better idea: sign up for a meal delivery service for a few months and you’ll get tasty meals delivered to your doorstep every day. It’s easy, healthy, and cost-effective.
Take a breather
When your stress reaches its boiling point, you might feel like you’re completely losing control. In that case, one of the best things you can do is sit down and take back some of that lost control by managing your breathing. You can download one of those helpful meditation apps that provide you with quick 3 to 5-minute breathing exercises and calming meditation guides you can use wherever you are. Just pop in your headphones and enjoy. If you don’t have that, you can sit comfortably, close your eyes, and take 10 deep breaths. Empty your mind and concentrate on nothing but bad energy leaving your body and good energy entering it.
When it gets too hard to juggle all your kids’ needs and wishes, don’t freak out. Use these tips to relax, get a good grip on your tasks, and enjoy motherhood to the fullest.
Photo via Unsplash