Having a baby is one of the most beautiful and rewarding things one can do in their life, but that doesn’t negate the fact that the first few weeks and months of bringing the baby home can be exhausting and overwhelming, to say the least.
This is the time when new parents are in desperate need of some relaxation but we know that it can be easier said than done. However, it’s important to prioritize relaxation, however little time you may have for it. Being stressed and overtired is not just bad for your health, it will also end up impacting your newborn.
Here are 8 tips to help new parents relax and get rid of stress:
Sleep Whenever You Can
Many new parents are told to “sleep when the baby sleeps”. However, most of them also end up feeling like this is unachievable because there is so much to be done that you can only do when your new bundle of joy is asleep. That’s why I say “sleep whenever you can”.
While there is inevitably work to be done, don’t bother about the things that aren’t absolutely essential. Take as many naps throughout the day. Listen to your body and go with the flow. If anyone is judging new parents for having a messy house or unfolded laundry, they aren’t worth having around!
Listen to Relaxing Music
A Baby’s first cry is nothing short of magical to the ears of a new mom and dad, but it can get real old real fast! Give your ears something else to listen to by putting on some soothing music in the background. Not only will it help you stay calm and relaxed, but it also helps the baby do the same. There are actually scientific studies proving that music is beneficial for your little guy or girl.
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is the use of natural scents to help promote healing and relaxation. As a new parent, you can and should try any little method of promoting a soothing environment, so essential oils are your best friend. Like music therapy, aromatherapy, or essential oil therapy, as it is sometimes known, also has scientific backing in its claims.
Different essential oils are said to promote the well-being of different aspects of your body and mind. Scents such as lavender, rose, chamomile, ylang-ylang, and jasmine are a few that are known to have calming properties. Along with those, other essential oils good for promoting healthy sleep include peppermint, bergamot, sandalwood, and marjoram.
Meditate
It can be difficult to prioritize time for anything other than the baby during the initial period of parenting, but one of the quickest ways to relax and get rid of the stress in your body is to meditate.
Meditation helps you free your mind of unwanted thoughts and relax the tensed-up muscles in your body. It helps you be in the moment, reminding you that although it’s tough dealing with a newborn, this too shall pass. The best part is that you don’t need more than 15-30 minutes a day for it, and you can even space it in little pockets of time throughout the day. There are many videos on YouTube that can help you meditate or you can download an app such as Calm or Headspace as well.
Ask for Help
It’s not for nothing that they say that it takes a village to raise a baby, so don’t beat yourself up if you feel like you cannot do it alone. It can get pretty lonely being alone with the baby all day; not to mention the lack of any meaningful adult interaction can be draining. Even if both parents are equally involved, chances are that you may need even more help.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help! Ask your parents or siblings, or a trusted friend or neighbor to come over and keep you company or look after the little one while you catch up on some errands or get a little extra sleep. Or you could just call up your most trusted confidant to share your feelings. You can also join a new mom group in your locality or on social media sites. It can be reassuring to hear that you’re not the only one who’s going through whatever it is that you’re going through!
Explore Intimacy Again
Being intimate once you become new parents can be difficult to approach, especially since there’s very little time away from the baby to do so. Plus, new moms tend to feel alien in their own bodies and can have trouble being intimate again.
However, it’s important to prioritize your relationship, especially now when things seem a bit overwhelming, or you may fall into a habit of taking each other for granted. Plus, there’s no better way to relieve stress and bring on those happy hormones than a good old romp in the hay!
Make sure you have a weekly date night, even if that means watching a movie at home. Try to make it a bit special, maybe my cooking up something fancy or ordering from a new restaurant. It’s alright if you’re not comfortable being intimate right away. But making time for each other will help you slowly ease back into it and help strengthen your relationship.
Monitor Your Mental Health
Mental health struggles related to pregnancy, childbirth, and motherhood such as postpartum depression and anxiety can often be a taboo topic, but they are far more common than one might think. Therefore, it’s important to monitor your mental health closely following the arrival of your little one. Everyone experiences baby blues, but if they seem to persist longer than a few days or months, it’s important to seek health.
While new mothers take on the brunt of the mental health issues caused by parenthood, new fathers can also experience anxiety and depression. Therefore, new dads should also not hesitate to seek help.
Make Yourself Presentable
It can be easy to fall into a rut of feeding, changing diapers, and napping in the initial period of a newborn’s life. It’ll feel like the days are bleeding into each other and there’s no end in sight for this madness. Many new parents, and mothers, in particular, complain about feeling like they’ve lost their identities once they’ve given birth.
One way to combat this feeling is to wake up, shower, and get dressed every day. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy, but freshening up and making yourself presentable can go a long way in making you feel like yourself again. This will also make it more likely for you to go outside – which is a great way to relax by taking yourself out of the house and experiencing some fresh air and sunshine!
