This one Activation can Sustain your New Mom Life

Life as a new mom is a journey filled with seemingly endless ups and downs. During these overwhelming times, it's helpful to have simple tools that you can rely on to help you find some calm. It might seem counterintuitive to consider the expression of gratitude, but it's precisely in these moments that this activation can be most beneficial. When you find yourself in these inevitable mom-moments, when you're feeling low, gratitude can serve as a redirection for your thoughts. Instead of dwelling in the challenge of the moment, you'll activate a part of your mental capacity to find the goodness in your life outside the moment. In this blog, we'll share simple ways to express gratitude while adjusting to new mom life.

When you find yourself...

1. In the middle of the night consoling/feeding/changing baby - if it's feeling like tiredness and doubt are hovering around you, here's what you can do:

Acknowledge these feelings > Pause > Take a deep breath > Let your breath go > Think "This is tough, but I'm grateful my baby and I have this safe space we call home to grow up in together, one night at a time."

2. Pumping - if it's feeling like the weird concept of expressing milk and concern over your output is creeping around you, here's what you can do:

Acknowledge these feelings > Pause > Take a deep breath > Let your breath go > Think "This is tough, but I am grateful for the nourishment of every drop I collect for my baby."

3. Eating - if it's feeling like concern and negativity are consuming you, here's what you can do: 

Acknowledge these feelings > Pause > Take a deep breath > Let your breath go > Think "This is tough, but I'm grateful my home is stocked with food that helps my body recover from birth and sustains me day to day."

4. Awaiting your partner to come home from work - if it's feelings like loneliness and overwhelm looming over you, here's what you can do:

Acknowledge these feelings > Pause > Take a deep breath > Let your breath go > Think "This is tough, but I'm grateful my partner is able to contribute to our family's income while I am on maternity leave/home with our baby."

5. Using the Bathroom - if it's feelings of sadness or discomfort that is shrouding you, here's what you can do:

Acknowledge these feelings > Pause > Take a deep breath > Let your breath go > Think "This is tough, but I'm grateful my body was capable of growing and birthing my baby. Each day, I'm healing."

Postpartum life is tough. It isn't glamorous or likely anything you pictured it being. Between the sleep deprivation, returned flow, leaking boobs and helpless tiny human, it's easy to feel every spectrum of the feelings-rainbow. Start with these steps to help you center your mind. Studies have proven the power of practicing gratefulness and it can be a great tool to use postpartum, when everything can feel beyond your usual control. 

That all said, if you ever feel like you can't get beyond these steps, text or call 1.833.TLC.MAMA or 1.833.852.6262. It's the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline - a free, confidential, 24/7 support-for-moms line. You are bold, momma!