Postpartum depression - it's real and here are some solutions

Alexis Rae Baker

Dear Lexis,

It’s been a few months since I gave birth, but lately, I’ve noticed my mood getting worse. I think it might be a mild form of postpartum depression. Do you have any suggestions on how to mitigate these effects?

Thanks,

          ~ Depressed in Tumwater

Dear Depressed in Tumwater,

Postpartum depression can be a real challenge. I know that it often hits out of the blue for me and hits hard. I’m not sure exactly why this is, but it does tend to coincide with days when I get less sleep, so my guess is there is a strong hormonal component that is often balanced with sleep. Sleep isn’t always the easiest thing to get with a newborn, though, so figuring out other, less time-intensive ways to bring yourself back into balance is a good thing. I have three main suggestions to help you in this endeavor.

1. Prioritize and take care of yourself

Take 15 minutes and get in a quick shower, brush your hair, or pull out a massager and let your body relax. These little moments of minor pampering and self-care can do a lot to make you feel more centered and cared for. You may not notice the shift in emotion at first, but as the day goes on you’ll probably feel a bit lighter and calmer. A little bit can go a long way, so do underestimate these small moments.

2. Meditate

Always a go-to in moments of stress, meditation can be a wonderful tool for those suffering from postpartum depression. While it can be hard to motivate yourself to take the time, I always find that a few minutes away from my thoughts helps me find a better grasp on the realities of the moments. Meditation gives me a chance to step back from the situation, look at it more objectively and remind myself that ” I’m probably not a bad mom, I’m just struggling with unexpected hormone imbalances.”

Knowing that I’ve been in this same situation before and felt fine later helps me recognize that my emotional swing may not be factually based and, therefore, allows me to let go of the pain.

3. Get some additional touch

Hugs have a powerful healing effect. Whenever I’m feeling down, I find that getting an extra hug from my hubby can help calm me down. Single parents may not have such a luxury, but it can be just as effective to get a hug from your mom, or even from your baby. I don’t know where the number came from, but the recommendation is for each person to have seven hugs per day. Aim for those seven hugs and you might discover that you don’t have depression anymore.

These three techniques should help you in your endeavor to regain balance and sanity. Don’t entirely dismiss these practices once you’ve reached a more stable life circumstance though as they can help improve your life at any given time. Taking care of yourself is the first step in taking care of others, so make sure you’ve got your needs met and you’ll be a light in the darkness for those around you.

I hope this helps and I hope you feel better. If you enjoyed this article, feel free to reach out to let me know. If you have any questions you would like advice on, shoot me an email and I’ll be glad to help.

Best wishes and a wonderful life,

          ~ Lexis

Lexis is Alexis Rae Baker. She writes from her home in Olympia.   Got a question about life, relationships, spirit? Write to Lexis at  Lexis@theJOLTnews.com