The journey into motherhood can be filled with moments of joy, despair, anxiety, sadness, exhaustion, excitement, and everything in between. Here are some tips for navigating those emotions and prioritizing your mental health after having a baby.
Be Open with Your Support People
When it comes to mental health and emotional well-being, so many moms suffer in silence. They are afraid to tell their partner, spouse, family members, and friends how they are feeling out of concern for being judged. “What will others think of me if I tell them I feel sad? Will they think I’m a bad mom because I’m too afraid to be alone with my own baby?” If you are finding yourself struggling with intrusive anxious thoughts, or feeling sad and hopeless, that does not mean you are a bad mom! Being able to share with your support people how you feel can open the door for you to receive help from them so that you do not have to suffer in isolation.
Limit Social Media
While social media has the potential to help normalize your experience as a mom and can sometimes make you feel connected to other women who are in the same place in life, it can also be a trigger for anxiety. “She looks like she has it all together. She is the perfect mom.” If you find yourself feeling more anxious after scrolling through posts because you’re comparing yourself to other moms, this may be a sign that exposure to social media is hurting your mental health rather than helping. Set a timer, or implement a time limit on certain platforms, unfollow certain accounts, or remove the apps altogether from your phone.
Utilize Resources and Books
Depending on what you are experiencing in motherhood, there are a variety of support groups and books that can be helpful for prioritizing your mental health. Postpartum Support International has a variety of free online support groups, including ones for military moms, NICU parents, black moms, pregnant and postpartum moms experiencing anxiety or depression, and even ones for moms with children between one and four years old. These groups are an amazing opportunity to connect with other women who are experiencing the same struggles you are. There are also several books that can be helpful in supporting you in your day-to-day life as a new mom. Good Moms Have Scary Thoughts by Karen Kleiman and The Pregnancy and Postpartum Anxiety Workbook by Pamela Wiegartz are two books that offer helpful ways to explore your thoughts and emotions and give you tangible tools and coping skills to manage your anxiety and depressive feelings.
Ask for Help
I’ve heard from a lot of new moms things like “I am not a good mom because I don’t know how to make my baby stop crying” or “I don’t want to tell my partner I’m struggling because then they will think I’m a bad mom.” Babies do not come with instruction manuals, and even though we anticipate their arrival for nine months, they are essentially strangers placed in our arms and we are told to figure it out. It takes time to bond and get to know our babies and if you don’t know what your baby’s cry means or you are struggling to get them to eat, that does not mean you are a bad mom and it is okay to ask for help. Whether it is talking to your spouse; being open with your OB-GYN, midwife, or doula; or seeking support from a lactation consultant, allowing someone to know about your struggle can help to normalize your experience as well as give you some help. And it is never bad to ask for help.
Talk with an Online Therapist
Having a new baby can make it really hard to get out of the house, which makes it challenging to get to an in-person appointment. Finding an online therapist who specializes in postpartum anxiety and depression or motherhood is an amazing way to prioritize your mental health as a new mom. Having a dedicated weekly time to talk with a counselor where you can be open about how you are feeling can be so beneficial as you make the transition to becoming a mom. An online therapist can help you process any traumatic birth experiences or postpartum anxiety and depression you are experiencing, and help you in finding new ways to understand, relate to, and cope with your emotions.
Begin Counseling for Moms in Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, and Louisiana
As a mother, it is vital for your health and the health of your child that you take care of yourself. But, applying effective ways to prioritize yourself is much easier said than done. I would be honored to help you learn and apply techniques such as these. I offer the residents of Colorado, Hawaii, Louisiana, and Florida. To start your therapy journey, please follow these simple steps:
Schedule a free 15-minute consultation via phone or video
Start improving your mental health!
Other Services Offered With Ashley Comegys, LCSW
Counseling for moms isn’t the only service I offer. In addition to this, I also offer a variety of mental health services. Other mental health services offered include therapy for anxiety, online postpartum depression treatment, online postpartum support, and online depression treatment. I’m also happy to offer online grief counseling for women and online trauma treatment for women. Visit my blog or about page to learn more today!