Feeling like you might have postpartum blues? You're really not sure what's going on. The day to day just keeps going by. Days flash before you. You blink and a whole month has come and gone. You lost your motivation. You don't feel like putting on your normal get-up every day. Yoga pants just sound so much better. Makeup? Who needs it. You strive every day to be the best Mom you can be. But you're in this "funk" and all you want is a shred of normalcy back. You just don't know how to even begin.
I write these words because that is how I personally felt. It had been 20 months postpartum and I still felt like I was in this funk. My "mojo" had left the building and there I was trying to scrape up foundation pieces to get it back. So here are my own personal 5 quick ways that have completely relieved me of my "postpartum funk" and have helped get my little shred of normalcy back.
#1 : Go to familiar places that you frequented before you had your baby.
I decided to go back to where I frequently went for lunch when I had my corporate job. It was a good 45 minutes away but it was so worth that drive. I didn't put too much thought into it, heck I didn't even plan on anything really. I didn't go there thinking "this will make me feel better" but when it happened, it was a breath of fresh air - literally and figuratively. The smell of the restaurants cooking the lunches for the bustle of the corporate employees, seeing familiar faces, saying hi to those that used to serve me at my favorite restaurant. All of that was a good wake up call is how I can easily explain it. Where did you frequent before you had your little one? Is it out of the way? Perfect. Go there.
#2 : Open your windows and/or blinds every morning.
Sounds like common sense, but forcing yourself to open your blinds every morning can actually be hard to do, especially when you are in this funk; at least it was for me... But I noticed when that first sunrise filled my home, I was happier and more alert all throughout the day.
#3 : Make your bed.
Okay, so you have opened the windows in your home. While you're at it, throw the covers over your comfy cozy bed so that you cannot escape back into bed the second you get a chance. I admit, I still struggle with this one. I looooove my sleep. But, I know that I am more inclined to jump right back in bed when my covers look so cozy and my pillows are exactly how I left them. "It would be so easy to just drift off to sleep," I would tell myself. Yes, there are days you need a nap, but for the days when you went to bed at a reasonable hour and you know you got your 8 hours of sleep in, make your bed. You will be so thankful that you didn't waste away the day the next silent second you got.
#4 : Force yourself to take a shower - once or even twice a day.
Everyone has told you this, but have you really forced yourself to do take a shower daily? It is a chore. You may have even went days since your last one - no judgement here. It is a hassle to even *think* of getting items ready to go for your shower. So what I do, is that I just go. I don't have to have all my things in order, or my outfit picked out (because that is usually what deters me away from doing this...) I just go and it's usually when I would be taking my daily nap (see what I did there?). Every time that I have done it this way, I feel more awake, more alert, and more like ME. Days when I am so low, just not feeling it... I do it twice. The second shower might be more of a sauna session than a traditional shower but I take it. So take off those knickers and jump on in.
#5 : Sing.
Get in the car and drive. Turn the music up and sing. Sing your little heart out. Music wasn't on my radar after my son was born. I would turn the radio off to make sure that he was breathing... am I the only one? 🙂 But music is so good for the soul (shocking, I know right?). It doesn't even matter what music it on... just turn up that dial and sing. I started to sing to my little boy and truth be told, I am no Whitney Houston. However, I feel like not only was I happier that day, I also connected with my son who thought it was a riot watching and listening Mama belt out notes. So even if you don't have anywhere to go, it's great to get OUT of the house, take a little drive, and sing.
Image credits: copyright
Hannah Avery says
Great ideas! Going on a small vacation at about the two month mark really helped me! Also, doing things like sometimes watching Netflix or reading while nursing, planning and buying some postpartum pretty clothes BEFORE you have the baby helps, as well as just making family plans for fun things to do with the family after the baby comes, to feel like life goes on helps a lot!
Ruth V. says
Great ideas Hannah! I'm just hitting the 2 month mark and am itching to go on a little vacation - having something to look forward to really helps!
Elisabeth says
Great ideas! It's amazing how music can instantly put you in a better mood, I always forget that!
Heather in VA says
And talk to your doctor! Let her know you are not feeling like your old self. Tell your partner. Tell your mom, your sister, your friends. Let people know. Don't stay silent. You are not alone and do not have to suffer in silent.
Amber Ludwig says
Great ideas!! I also found that finding a hobby or book and making "you" time helped me!! Hubby of course has to assist with that 😉
cassie says
Good article. I have chronic health issues and these things help me (although not pregnant or recently have been) to feel better after a flare-up or funk.