You had everything checked and double checked for your baby’s arrival: diapers, wipes, onesies, bottles, car seat and stroller. But how does a mother prepare for postpartum depression? Is there a checklist for dealing with feelings of sadness, irritability, and the emotional ups and downs of being a new mom?
When you’re down, it’s almost impossible to think about losing weight. And those extra pregnancy pounds just add to your anxiety. So here are a few ideas to improve your mood, give you hope, and get you on track to losing weight after baby:
1. Surround yourself with family and friends. Don’t isolate yourself. Ask others for help, both emotionally when you need someone to talk to, and physically when you need someone to help you with baby for an hour while you take a nap.
2. Exercise with a friend. Misery loves company right? Recruit your mom, sister, neighbor or friend to walk around the block with you and baby. Make it a regular weekly appointment and ramp it up as you’re able (move from walking, to walking and jogging, or walking and weight lifting). Make exercise a priority. It’s a proven way to minimize postpartum depression.
3. Take 15 minutes a day for your appearance. Shower, get dressed, and put on a little makeup every day. When you look presentable, it will do wonders for your self esteem. On the other hand, if you look frumpy, you will feel frumpy.
4. Set realistic fitness goals. When you have something to shoot for, you won’t feel hopeless. Make a goal to lose one pound a week. You’ll be encouraged as you see your progress. Moms who set realistic goals do better emotionally than those who don’t.
If your depression lasts for longer than 2 weeks or is very deep, talk with your doctor. The most important thing is to seek help and solutions. You’ve accomplished the massive challenge of childbirth; you can get through this too. You can do it mom!
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