7 Stress Relief Tips For Parents After A New Baby
By Christina Lee
A new baby in your life can bring immeasurable joy. With that joy comes a lot of stress. Chances are, you are currently sleep-deprived and barely functioning as a new parent. It may bring you some comfort to know that you are not alone in your exhaustion. Many parents are just as tired and stressed out as you right now. Countless more have been exactly where you are and survived the stress of having a newborn.
Some days are better than others, but sometimes, the struggle feels insurmountable. To help ease that struggle, here are a few stress relief tips to improve your well-being after having a new baby.
Find Time For Yourself
Finding the time to care for yourself is the ultimate challenge posed by a new baby. Time is stretched to its thinnest, but that’s exactly why you need to spend as much as you can spare on yourself. In order to show up as your most patient self for your new baby, you have to take the time to care for yourself. Washing your face or taking a hot shower can do wonders when you’re exhausted. Whenever possible, watch a show or read a book you love. Do things you enjoyed before the baby. If you have a partner, give each other well-earned breaks to preserve what little sanity you have left.
Find Time For Your Partner
Couples with a new baby are often so focused on the baby that they forget to find the time for each other. You might not have the time to go on a date, but stealing small moments together here and there can ensure your relationship doesn’t suffer from the exhaustion of a new baby. Communicate how you’re feeling to each other. Not only can this be a huge stress relief, it can help strengthen your bond and remind each other that you’re in this together.
Ask For Help
Don’t make the mistake of trying to do it all by yourself. It’s simply not possible with a new baby. There’s no shame in asking a family member or friend for help when you need it. Ask them to come over and assist you with caring for the new baby. If you trust them and they’re willing, this can give you a well-deserved break. If they don’t feel comfortable looking after the new baby, ask them to simply accompany you. Talking to someone capable of speaking actual words can be a huge stress relief.
Prioritize Sleep
No, this is not a joke. You actually have to sleep as a new parent to manage stress. And it is possible, albeit challenging. If you have a partner, you can alternative feeding duties. You can also try to get some shut eye while the baby is sleeping.
Breathing Exercises
If you typically practice meditation, you already know first-hand why breathing exercises can help relieve stress. Meditation is a great way to relieve stress and anxiety as a new parent. It only takes a few minutes, but the impact of mindfulness can last all day. Moreover, if you ever find yourself in an overwhelmingly stressful situation, take a few deep breaths. Take this moment to remind yourself that you’re doing the best you can.
Make Time For A Workout
Exercise is another great way to reduce stress as a new parent. You might not have time for your usual workout routine, but there are creative ways to fit a workout into your baby-focused schedule. You can always take the baby for a walk or run. Another method is to move your body in short bursts throughout the day.
Take Advantage Of Available Services
As a new parent, anything that saves you time and energy is your best friend. Take advantage of food delivery services, grocery delivery services, and online shopping. These services can free up valuable time you can spend on things that matter more to you.
Final Thoughts
Adjusting to a newborn is such a strange and wonderful time for parents. A single night full of crying and diaper changes can feel unbearably endless. And yet, one magical moment can erase all of your exhaustion and make it all worth it. For what it’s worth, you should be proud of yourself. You’re doing amazing. Keep going!
Christina Lee is a social media strategist and health writer at Big assignments and Study demic. She enjoys writing about creative solutions to challenging and complex matters such as parenting for such services, as Simple Grad, and others.