Some of the things that you may instinctively default to right now, may actually interfere with postpartum recovery. Be careful. Be smart. Make good choices. Take care of yourself.
AVOID:
1) Caffeine
2) Alcohol
3) People that make you feel bad
4) Trying to keep up with thank-you cards, phone calls, laundry, etc.
5) Believing you can be in control of things around you right now
6) Comparing yourself to others
7) Wishing things could be the way they were before you had your baby.
8) Asking for advice
9) Weighing yourself or thinking about dieting
10) Things that will interfere with sleep, such as late night computer use, TV in bed, eating late at night.
INSTEAD, YOU SHOULD TRY TO:
1) Eat nutritiously
2) Drink tons of water
3) Surround yourself with people who care about you and make you feel good
4) Let things go for now. They can wait. Everything will get done in time.
5) Accept that things will be out of control for a while. That's okay. All will be good again.
6) Practice self-affirming statements, such as, "I'm doing the best I can."
7) Acknowledge that your current state is transitory and that some of what you miss right now, will come back.
8) Trust your instincts.
9) Embrace your post-pregnancy weight/body for now. Focus on resting, healing, loving thoughts.
10) Enhance your self-care. Bubble baths, naps, yoga, breathing exercises, walking sunshine, laughter.
© 2011 Karen Kleiman www.postpartumstress.com
