Bonjour lecteurs! How was it for you once you came home with the bébé? Welcoming a new baby into the world is such a beautiful experience. But sometimes, it’s also a mix of emotions. You might have your dream comes true but the first few months of postpartum life can also be challenging. Did you know that between 70% and 80% of new mums may feel depressed, anxious or even angry a few days after giving birth? Recent data actually show that 1 in every 7 women will get a perinatal mood or anxiety disorder like postpartum depression or anxiety. If this sounds familiar, you’re definitely not alone. Here are for you 6 ways to cope with postpartum depression, so that you can find joy again.
What’s Postpartum Depression?
So have you heard about what postpartum depression is? If your feelings of sadness become severe and start to interfere with your everyday life, you may be experiencing postpartum depression, otherwise know as PPD.
And this is way more than feeling a bit sad. PPD is a serious condition that many new mums face. But pourquoi? You’ve experienced all kinds of hormonal changes in the last few months. Add this to maybe some sleep deprivation, and the massive shift in responsibilities, it’s no wonder so many of us get hit with it. And let’s be clear: PPD is not your fault. It’s a medical condition that needs care and attention. It happens to many women. And while you may feel confused and isolated or even guilty to experience such feelings, there are ways to cope with postpartum depression.
Reaching Out for Professional Help
First and foremost, one of the best décisions you can make is to seek professional help. Nowadays, PPD is more talked about and it’s taken more seriously by health professionals.
Plus, it’s very common when you think about it. Go to your GP and talk freely about how you feel. Your doctor will be able to help you get a proper diagnosis and treatment options for this. This might include therapy, medication, or a mix of both. Either way, you are not alone to fight this battle.
Leaning on Your Support System
Even if you may feel ashamed to experience such negative feelings when you have a baby and you should be at your happiest, you need to share your feelings with your loved ones.
So don’t keep it for yourself and suffer en silence. As soon as you have any doubts, reach out to family and friends or even join a support group for new mums to help you with it. Sharing with others about how you feel and what you are going through in your mind is the first step to recovery.
Like any other mental health conditions, just talking about it can lift some of the weight off your shoulders. Furthermore, if it can help you to deal with la situation better, ask for help with the baby or household stuff. Remember, it takes a village to raise a child, and there’s zero shame in leaning on yours.
Self-Care is Important
Nowadays, it’s all about self-care and right after giving birth, you will need it more than ever. In other words, taking care of yourself isn’t selfish. C’est une nécessité: you can’t take care of your baby if you’re not taking care of yourself.
Just starting with les basiques will make a huge différence: eat well, get as much sleep as possible and find time to relax or do things for yourself too. It doesn’t have to be huge, find anything to keep you calm. Par exemple, play a game of Solitaire on your phone. It’s relaxing.
Don’t do anything that would be stressful , the aim is to feel totally at peace! Personnellement, I liked going for walks, it was helping me so much getting some fresh air and I truly rediscovered my neighbourhood.
Stay Active & Connected
I know you might not feel like it, but being active can be a real mood booster. And bien sûr, exercise releases those feel-good endorphins.
You don’t need to go all crazy. Go for what feels right for you. Even gentle activities like walking, postpartum yoga, or even dancing around your living room can make une grande différence. Just take it easy and do what feels right for you.
Patience and Compassion
Recovery from PPD isn’t a straight path, you will need to be patient and compassionate to yourself.
There will be ups and downs. Some days, you’ll feel like you’ve got this, and other days, you might struggle to get out of bed. That’s totally normal.
Set realistic expectations. Don’t pressure yourself to do everything. Par exemple, your house doesn’t need to be in tip top shape at all times. Do what you can and leave the rest.
Explore Creative Outlets
Having a baby can feel isolating. You might feel like being a mum is all that defines you now. I have experienced it and actually questionned back in 2016 if I was just a stay at home mum.
What helped me at the time was creating this blog. And don’t get me wrong, I was a bit scared of what outsiders would make of my then new creative outlet. But it felt truly amazing to have a new project and it really took things off my mind at the time. Back then, how little did I know that I would turn it into my actual full time job now… As I like to call it, it’s my happy accident!
I am not saying that you have to create a blog too. Find something creative that appeals to you, or a new hobby you’ve always wanted to start but never did. Whether it’s writing, painting, knitting, or any other form of artistic expression, engaging in creative activities can help process your emotions and give you a sense of accomplishment. So go for it, you will not regret it!
Some final words for you mamans, know that you are not alone in this. Many women experience it. Postpartum depression is a common mental health condition, but you can get support with it and you will feel better!
Disclosure: This is a collaborative post.
