There is nothing quite as magical and fulfilling as having a baby. When you welcome your little one into the world, your full focus and love are bound to be on your newborn. As a new parent, we won’t lie and say it will be an easy road ahead. There will be all kinds of challenges and obstacles, not to forget sleepless nights. But, that doesn’t mean the months that follow should be full of constant high stress, anxiety, and misery.
It’s vital that you pay attention to your own health and wellbeing during this time. Doing so will stop you from reaching burnout. If you’re finding parenthood difficult, here are some stress busters you can try out today that can help.
Practice Meditation
With a baby to look after, them taking up all your time can become exhausting. You need to find a window to relax and unwind. When your baby is napping, use this as an opportunity to practice relaxation techniques like meditation. If your mind is full of stress and worry, you need an outlet to let go and unwind. Meditation is a great way to do just that. One of the best things about meditation is you can do it at home. This means there’s no need to head to the gym. Simply take 10 to 15 minutes to shut your eyes, zone out, and you’ll find your worries and fears subside.
Read a Book
When you’ve got a moment to yourself, why not use it to your benefit and get nestled into a book? If you’re an avid reader, we appreciate parenthood means you won’t have endless hours to spend behind the pages. However, that doesn’t mean you have to give it up! Reading is a fantastic stress buster. Whatever genre tickles your fancy, when you find a book that interests you, having something to relax you can only be a good thing.
Light a Cigar
While we don’t recommend doing this inside, taking a step outdoors, getting some fresh air in your lungs and lighting up a cigar can be a brilliant way to destress. Many cigar lovers find smoking one can help alleviate built-up tension and stress. You can head to TobaccoPipes.com. They sell a variety of premium cigar brands, including Drew Estates Cigars that may catch your eye. You can also purchase accessories that are the perfect accompaniment to a cigar.
Soak in the Bath
When was the last time you had a soak in the bath? If you cannot remember, it’s time to turn on the taps! We all deserve some TLC, especially in the new era of parenthood. Don’t feel guilty about shutting the bathroom door and immersing yourself under the bubbles. If you’re feeling anxious, there’s nothing quite like relaxing in the tub. Just make sure someone is on hand to mind the baby! You can create a soothing atmosphere by lighting some scented candles and sticking on relaxing music. Whatever works for you!
Stick Some Music On
Music can bring on all kinds of emotions. Put something sad on and you’ll find yourself sobbing into your pillow. Stick something uplifting on and you may be bouncing around with joy. If you’re finding parenthood tough, something as simple as getting your headphones in and putting upbeat music on can truly make all the difference to your stress levels. Of course, there’s lots of mess when a baby arrives. Therefore, when you’re tidying up, having some uplifting tunes on in the background can help spur you on and keep you going.
Do Some Exercise
Tying in with music is exercise. As a new parent, the idea of physical activity may be the last thing on your mind. However, once you’re feeling up to it, working out for 30 minutes can do wonders for stress. This is because as your blood gets pumping, the brain releases endorphins. These are feel-good chemicals that can boost your spirits. There are plenty of exercises you can do from home, meaning they’re perfect to try out while your baby sleeps. Exercises include jumping jacks, squats, and even a quick jog around the backyard.
Ask for Outside Help
Last but not least, don’t be afraid to ask for outside help if you’re finding parenthood tricky. You’ll find many of your loved ones have been in the same boat. And they’ll be more than happy to help out and provide support in any way they can. Speaking to a loved one can instantly reduce stress. Whether a friend pops over for a glass of wine, or a family member comes to mind the baby while you get in the shower, take advantage of their help!
Parenthood certainly comes with its highs and lows. However, the highs should definitely outweigh everything else. If you find you’re reaching burnout, try not to worry. Instead, take a deep breath, try any of the suggestions above and we hope one can help decrease stress, anxiety, and most importantly, get you back on track.
