Post-natal anxiety refers to anxiety that some new mothers experience after giving birth. It affects both women and men and is characterised by chronic worry and a general feeling of panic. Some of the symptoms most mothers and fathers experience include feelings of extreme anxiety, sadness, and exhaustion, which may get in the way of them completing daily care activities for both themselves and their baby.
If you or someone you know is suffering from post-natal anxiety, it is advisable that you seek professional help immediately. Some strategies can also be employed in order to alleviate the associative symptoms that come with it.
We have teamed up with our friends from Brain Wellness Spa to uncover some of the most beneficial strategies that may help you to cope:
Get Plenty Of Rest
Alleviating the symptoms of post-natal anxiety can be assisted by getting the right amount of rest, which your body requires in order to recover from childbearing. This is not only essential for your physical recuperation but also for your mental recovery. Being a new mother does not only entail physical fitness but necessitates mental clarity as well.
Resting will also ensure that you get back the energy you lost from exhaustion and fatigue caused by waking up every night to take care of your child. In order to make sure that you get the right amount of sleep, it is best to take a rest while your baby sleeps.
Eat A Healthy, Nutritious Diet
Your body won’t function simply by getting enough sleep. It also needs a proper diet and this comes from eating a variety of healthy and nutritious food. Always try to choose whole grains, protein, fresh vegetables and fruits when preparing your meal. Consuming a sufficient amount of water is also necessary for proper digestion and it is also important to increase your fluid intake if you are breastfeeding.
Having a healthy diet plays a vital role in your body, especially when it is trying to recover after pregnancy and childbirth. Eating proper meals will also supply the energy you need to meet the day-to-day demands of being a parent to your child.
Get Some Physical Exercise (where safe and approved)
Exercise has been proven to be a powerful technique in terms of stress and anxiety reduction. In fact, physical activities have been found to improve overall health and wellbeing, which accordingly translates to productivity. This is due to the secretion of happy hormones called endorphins that lift our moods and enhances our immune responses.
Physical exercise does not have to involve hardcore workouts. Doing household chores may be considered an exercise that will boost your overall health.
Reminder: Before taking part in any physical activity, consult your doctor first to ensure that your body is capable of doing any form of physical activity.
Reach Out To Your Family And Friends
Having strong emotional support is one of the surest ways to combat the internal struggle you are going through. If there’s anyone in the world who could give the understanding you need, it is none other than your loved ones.
Be gentle with yourself. Recognise that you need the help, support and understanding of the people you value most in life. Share this journey with them and let them know how they can help you overcome this crisis.
Seek Professional Help
Reaching out to your loved ones sometimes won’t heal the disorder you have as they cannot give you all the medical assistance you need to get better. Hence, it is still important that you consider consulting an expert in this matter so that you can recover faster.
The first thing you can do is to consult your family doctor to help you recognise your condition by ruling out other serious medical conditions that may have similar symptoms. Once you’re sure that you have post-natal anxiety, ask for help to locate the best professional experts he/she can suggest, such as the friendly team at Brain Wellness Spa.
The stigma associated with post-natal anxiety has been reduced in the past years due to greater availability of competent treatments so if you are having a tough time managing your emotions following childbirth, it may be time to seek medical help.
*collaborative post
