The pressure on mothers with small children is very high, especially in today’s age when mothers have to take care of their children and work to support the family financially.
In this article, I will share 5 ways I have used to reduce postpartum stress during childbirth and child-rearing to find a work-life balance for mothers.
Reduce Postpartum Stress by Sharing Your Experiences
I am an introverted person, and I enjoy writing. I feel lighter when I put my thoughts into words through my articles, which helps reduce stress.
I also participate in many mom groups to read articles and see cute pictures of other children, which makes the pressure vanish. I also create funny pictures to share on social media, which leads to interactions, likes, and shares. This makes me happier.
I also often publicize my articles on the website of Medium.
To deal with anxiety and pressure, you can write down your daily emotions in a journal. Expressing emotions and thoughts, whether little or much, has been proven to relieve stress and anxiety.
Reduce Postpartum Stress by Adopting a Minimalist Lifestyle
It’s not by chance that I practice a minimalist lifestyle like I do now. The main reason behind this is that a minimalist lifestyle helps me save time on unnecessary tasks and fully focus on things that matter to me. A minimalist lifestyle gives me more time, even though I’m busy with work and family.
I feel truly peaceful when I focus on fewer things: caring for my child, reading books, and writing a blog instead of frantically cleaning up a cluttered room with too many belongings or spending hours at the store buying things that aren’t necessary. It’s amazing how you feel so relaxed in a tidy room. Only those with a minimalist lifestyle understand what I just mentioned (although my house contains quite a few items because of having young children, I try to limit buying more stuff; it’s exhausting when you’re sleep-deprived and have to clean and wash so many things).
Instead, organizing your belongings would help because a messy space can add to your stress.
Reduce Postpartum Stress by Taking Time for Yourself
Try to set aside some time for yourself. I know this is very difficult because you have to deal with countless tasks every day. However, many new moms experience postpartum stress because they don’t take time out for themselves.
Try changing your hairstyle and spending time sipping your favorite drink. Or you can ask a family member to take care of your child for a while so you can go outside and breathe in fresh air. Walking around your neighborhood is also a great idea to relieve stress. Or, if you love plants, you can buy, water and watch them grow daily.
Talk to your Child
Your baby may not understand what you’re saying, but talking to your baby frequently and listening to their babbling can effectively reduce your stress. This also strengthens the bond between you and your child, helping your baby learn to speak faster and understand others’ emotions better.
This method benefits both mothers and babies, so you should converse with your child as much as possible.
Only Reference Child-rearing Methods; Don’t Expect to Follow them Rigidly
Many new moms feel pressure from the advice and recommendations of others on how to raise their children. They may feel it’s impossible to do everything everyone suggests. Having expectations of perfection in every detail of child-rearing can be overwhelming.
Every little angel has a different personality so the care methods will vary depending on each child. You need to listen to what your child wants, understand your circumstances, and do your best for your child. That’s good enough.
I wish you peace in your home, along with your beloved children!