You love your sweet little baby, but you miss adult-to-adult interaction. You’re feeling irritable, lethargic, sleepy, and just down right moody.
It might be the case of the baby blues. Follow these 5 easy steps to avoid the baby blues and get back to laughing and learning with your baby.
1. Get Enough Sleep
The first thing you should do to avoid the baby blues is get enough sleep. Really, I can’t stress this enough. If you are experiencing feelings of moodiness, irritability, and lethargy, then first and foremost you should evaluate how much sleep you are getting. As an adult, you should be getting seven to eight hours of uninterrupted sleep every night. But, if you have a young child, you definitely know that this is not easy to accomplish.
Lack of sleep has various effects on your brain, and is the breeding ground for other health issues. In fact, long-term lack of sleep causes issues like obesity, irritability, and even depression, just to name a few. Although for busy moms it’s difficult to make up for loss of sleep, you should be attempting to get as much sleep as you possibly can. This includes sleeping when the baby sleeps (the dishes can wait), and even asking for help so you can take a nap. Not only will adequate sleep help to avoid the negative effects of sleep deprivation, but it just may be what you need to get rid of the baby blues.
2. Exercise
Exercise increases feelings of happiness, and decreases feelings of stress, and depression. No wonder its a great way to beat the baby blues.
If you’re still on maternity leave or a stay at home mom, join your local “Mommy and Me” class, or a mommy and baby yoga class. If you’re not up to going out and interacting with the world just yet, then start by going for consistent walks with your baby. Or just begin by laying on the floor with your baby, and allow s/he to crawl over and around you. Hug, snuggle, and stretch together. The level of intensity really doesn’t matter. What matters is actually doing some form of exercise. Get your body moving, and your heart pumping.
Exercising will cause you to feel better because it increases the production of endorphins, which produces positive feelings. At the moment you may not feel up to the task, but exercising will help you to avoid the baby blues as you will start to feel the benefits within a short period of time.
3. Aqua!
Did you know that feeling thirsty is the first sign of dehydration and fatigue? Did you know that drinking enough water has more benefits than just quenching your thirst? If your not a big water fan already, then you have to find ways to become one. Drinking enough water is good for you physical and mental health.
4. Stress Management
First begin by determining what causes you the most stress in your life. Know yourself and know your triggers. Once you recognize them, you can address them.
Focusing on your interests and hobbies can also help you to manage your stress level, and avoid the baby blues. Of course, if your baby is still very young it may be difficult to find time to focus on your own interests and hobbies, but difficult doesn’t mean impossible. Find creative ways to incorporate the things that you are passionate about you within your day. Were you an avid reader before baby? Then read aloud to your baby. In fact, the benefits of reading to your baby are countless. Do you like painting? Drawing? Then include your baby! Sensory activities such as these will stimulate baby’s curiosity and increase your mood. Yes, painting or drawing may create a “mess” which will give you more to do. But the bonding and laughter that will be priceless.
5. Laugh & Learn!
There are two things you must learn to do. First, you have to learn how to talk about your feelings. Reach out to your loved ones and let them know how you’re feeling, and I guarantee they will try to find ways to encourage your beautiful laughter.
Second, you have to learn what makes you happy. I mean truly happy. What do you enjoy most in life, and how can you incorporate it into your daily, weekly routine? In order to be everything you need to be to everyone else, figure out what you need to do for yourself. Many of us know that we can’t please everyone, but sometimes it takes time for us to put this knowledge into practice. It took me a long time to implement the right steps that allowed me to start putting myself first. But once I did, I became a better mother, partner, sister, and a better friend to everyone else.
Then, you must laugh! Laugh while crying. Laugh while smiling. Whatever you do just laugh. Laughing is contagious and it will produce rays of sunshine in your life, helping you to avoid those baby blues.
