Research shows that about 85% of women experience mental health issues like postpartum depression, blues, and psychosis. This disturbing statistic reiterates the need for moms to prioritize their mental wellness. Besides, mental wellness helps you handle your responsibilities as a new mom effectively. If you want to work on your mental health improvement, these tips will help you get started.
Tips for Mental Health Improvement
1. Join a Support Group for Moms
The transition into motherhood can be overwhelming, making it imperative to join a support group for moms. These groups create a sense of belonging while mitigating stress, loneliness, and isolation. Groups for moms also provide the platform to openly express your feelings and enable you to cope with motherhood challenges.
You will learn helpful tips on how to navigate parenthood with ease. You may join an in-person support group, where you learn about body image, child health, coping strategies, and more. Another option is to opt for online groups if you can’t attend in-person meetings.
2. Avoid Unhealthy Comparisons
According to Psychologist Erika Ames, women often seek affirmation from others, especially when they become mothers. However, unhealthy comparisons may set in, causing you to feel jealous or inadequate. What’s worse, it can lead to depression, loneliness, and poor well-being if it’s not immediately addressed. Fortunately, you can take steps to escape the trap of unhealthy comparisons.
For instance, you may focus on your parenting values and determine why you make certain decisions. It’s also prudent to be extra kind to yourself and appreciate your uniqueness. By all means, remind yourself daily that you are enough and watch your confidence levels improve.
3. Practice Self-Care
New moms are prone to caregiver burnout, which is the state of emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion. Therefore, it’s imperative to practice self-care to avoid this condition. Besides, it helps you maintain your self-worth while reducing your mental health risks.
Go to bed early to make up for your frequent night wakes, or ask your friends or partner to watch the baby while you rest. It’s also best to eat a balanced diet, avoid junk food and stay hydrated all day. By all means, exercise regularly, and socialize with other people to improve your emotional and mental state. Furthermore, you may leverage supplements for building your mind and preventing depression and anxiety.
Infographic Provided by Antares Health Products
4. Reduce Social Media Time
Social media can be helpful or detrimental, depending on how it’s utilized. While it’s easier to access online support groups, it can also create an unrealistic picture of parenting. According to Senior Lecturer Joanne Mayoh, social media showcases the perfect pregnancy, causing anxiety for moms who can’t meet these standards.
What’s more, people tend to portray babies as accessories rather than children, which might not sit well for some moms. Hence, it’s advisable to reduce your social media time and stick with motherhood realities. It’s also best to stick with accounts that portray the real motherhood essence and mute the ones that cause inadequacy.
Mental Health Improvement
Transitioning into motherhood might be overwhelming, but you can navigate through it once you know the right strategies to adopt. These mental health improvement tips can help boost your well-being as you go through this exciting transition.
