Maintaining your brain while maintaining tiny lives
New motherhood can be a time of joy but also a time of depletion. While devoting so much time and energy nurturing others, many new mothers forget to take the time to nurture themselves. Yet, self-care is more important than ever before. Here are some tips for maintaining your sanity while taking care of a new tiny human.
Hello to all of the brand new moms out there and welcome to the club!
You have just embarked on one of the most rewarding and challenging journeys of your life. Motherhood is a wild ride that can bring you immense joy and happiness. However, it can also be demanding and exhausting, both physically and mentally. In the early days of motherhood, it is essential to take care of yourself, including your brain, so you can take care of your little one… and not lose your mind.
First, here’s how your brain works on postpartum hormones:
Shortly after giving birth, your brain experiences significant changes as your hormones gear up to take motherhood for a spin.
During birth (and immediately afterwards), your brain releases high levels of oxycontin (a.k.a the "love hormone").
Research has shown that oxycontin can have a positive effect on a new mom’s brain, promoting feelings of relaxation and reducing stress and anxiety. However, sometimes this “love hormone” can also do you wrong… contributing to postpartum depression in many women, as oxytocin levels drop significantly within the first few weeks of motherhood. This can lead to mood swings, anxiety and (in some cases) depression.
As if that wasn’t enough… enter cortisol. As your new mom-brain adjusts to the demands (and lack of sleep) of motherhood, cortisol (a.k.a. The “stress hormone”) shows up big time. This little buddy can make you short tempered and also contributes to “mom fog” where your brain literally doesn’t work like it used to.
“Making time for yourself may feel indulgent or selfish, but that is far from the truth. Even small acts of self-care or self-kindness can go a long way in decreasing the feelings of exhaustion, burnout, stress and even depression that busy mothers often feel.”
Source: Mayo Clinic
So, is it all over for me?
While the changes in your brain (and mood!) in those early days can feel overwhelming, we (and all the other moms in da club) feel you…. and are here to help you navigate it. Being a new mom is tough on your body, and especially your brain, so we’ve got some tips to help you maintain your sanity and combat that all-to-common “mom brain.”
Rest, rest, rest
Sleep is a precious commodity with a new baby, and while everyone will tell you “sleep while the baby sleeps,” we know that is not always possible to do. But it is important to catch those zzz's when you can. The more you can try to ignore the laundry, the dishes and the stuff all over the house and rest when your little one is sleeping, the better you’ll feel. If you can sleep too… amazing! But if you can’t… just rest your mind (preferably with your body in a horizontal position). Have an extra rough night? Ask your partner, friend or neighbor to watch the baby for an hour while you rest.
2. Stay Social
It's easy to feel isolated with a newborn, but staying connected is key to staying sane. Chat with your friends, join mom groups, and don't be afraid to reach out for help. There are often new mom meet-up groups, feeding support groups and city mom groups on apps like Peanut that you can find and join.
3. Get Moving
Exercise is great for your brain and body. Even if it's just a quick walk around the block with your baby in tow, or a yoga video in front of the TV, it can do wonders for your mood and energy. If you can get outdoors, sunshine has been proven to positively impact your mental health, so a walk around the block can do wonders for your mood. A great way to get moving and stay social is to join a mom group that exercises together such as Fit4Mom or The Mom Walk Collective.
4. Eat Well
Healthy eating is crucial for your brain function. Make sure you're eating lots of fruits, veggies, and protein to keep your mind sharp. Buy pre-cut fruits and vegetables so they are easy to grab when you walk through the kitchen, or blend into a quick smoothie you can make on-the-go. When friends ask “if there is anything you need,” ask them to drop by a healthy meal and snacks for you to have around while you survive/thrive.
5. Ask for help
This is one of the most important things you can do for yourself as a new mom. Don't be afraid to ask for help from friends, family, or even other moms in your community. Here at June Care, we do our best to make it easy to connect with other local moms and get help with trusted child care when you need it.
Remember, new mama, you're doing great! Taking care of yourself is the best thing you can do for your baby. So rest, get moving when you can, give yourself grace on the hard days that you can’t, and don't hesitate to ask for help. You got this!
