Mental Health Archives - Running in Triangles

How to Take Care of Your Mental Health as a First-Time Mom

The pregnancy period, labor and caring for a newborn are all challenging parts of a new life as a mom. These parts take a toll on both our physical and mental health as a first-time mom. When mom is happy and healthy, so is the baby. Hence, new moms should pay special attention to maintaining their mental health in order to raise a happy and healthy child. After giving birth, moms often focus on their newborns and neglect their needs. Due to those reasons, they often disregard their physical and mental health. That’s why postpartum depression frequently happens.

You have a lot to take in as a first-time mom. Regardless, you shouldn’t neglect your mental health. To avoid doing that, you should learn how to recognize a mental health issue, for starters. Then, you should reduce your to-do list. It’s essential to indulge in self-care to maintain your mental health. Decreasing the time you spend on social media can also have positive effects on your mental health. And finally, what also helps is practicing positive self-talk.

Recognize a mental health issue

To maintain your mental health as a first-time mom, you should first be aware of its importance. Only after you’ve grasped its importance can you focus on recognizing a mental health issue. The more you know about the most frequent mental health issues for new moms, the quicker you can start dealing with them. After delivery and follow-up appointments, most doctors discuss signs of postpartum depression with their patients. Typical signs of postpartum depression include lack of sleep, focus and overwhelming feeling of sadness and irritability. Other common mental health issues that can affect new moms are clinical depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder. There are therapies that can treat each of these.

no mood disorder vs the baby blues vs postpartum anxiety vs postpartum depression — Copyright 2022

Reduce your to-do list

When you give birth and come home from the maternity hospital, you’ll have a lot of daily tasks related to your baby. And this should be your main focus. The baby requires constant care. It will nap, eat and need a frequent diaper change. That leaves you little time for other household chores. You shouldn’t force yourself to try and do everything, because it’s almost impossible. And what’s more, it can lead to mom burnout, which can cause other issues. So, to avoid this from happening, you can ask a family member to help you or hire temporary help. Try to minimize the necessary errands by shopping online for newborn baby clothes or groceries.

Indulge in self-care

Self-care is an integral part of our mental health. Everybody should indulge in some form of self-care, especially first-time moms. That doesn’t mean that you need to spend hours at the gym or spa. You simply need to do something that relaxes you. That can be reading a good book, taking a brisk walk, going for a swim or booking a relaxing massage. You shouldn’t feel guilty for doing this. You know what they say – a happy mom equals a happy family. Keep that in mind. You deserve to take a break and devote some time to yourself.

Decrease the time you spend on social media

Spending way too much time on social media can have detrimental effects on our self-esteem, well-being and mental health as a first-time mom. To avoid that, it would perhaps be the ideal time to take a social media break and go offline for some time. In that way, you will be able to focus more on your newborn and nurturing yourself. You will also be less inclined to compare yourself to other moms and your baby to other babies.

Practice positive self-talk

Being a new parent, more specifically a new mom, as moms tend to spend practically their whole day together with their baby, is quite challenging. It is also exhilarating at times. This is all normal, most parents have good and bad days. One of the best ways to make yourself feel good about yourself is to engage in positive self-talk. It will be crucial in those moments when you’re having bad days. Positive self-talk will allow you to focus on the positive things and in that way, boost your self-confidence. It’s difficult to start practicing it, but once you have a grip, it becomes much easier.

Being a mom is one of the best ‘jobs’ in the world. It is also one of the most important ones. That’s why you should do whatever makes you happy and calm.

Author Bio

Jess Cooper is a part-time journalist and blogger based in Sydney, Australia. She is an energetic, creative highly motivated person with plenty of interests. The most prominent areas of interest include makeup and cosmetics, fashion, style, event organization and decoration, healthy food, fitness, learning languages as well as home improvement. Jess loves learning about new things and having the chance to combine those insights with her ideas and spread them to the world. She enjoys having a mindful and well-organized, healthy life, filled with all kinds of different activities and interwoven with close friendships.

At-Home Activities To Improve Mental Health

Taking care of yourself and your mental health when you’ve just brought a baby into the world can be tough. Babies need a lot of attention, but that doesn’t mean you can’t give any attention to yourself. You can do these at-home activities to improve mental health in quick bursts or long stretches, and they’ll help you relax while having fun.

Read a Book

Reading can help decrease depression symptoms, blood pressure, and heart rate, resulting in a relaxing escape that benefits both the mind and body. You can read whatever interests you, but fictional books have additional benefits compared to nonfiction. Through fiction, readers of all ages develop social skills, empathy, and interpersonal understanding. No matter what you choose, reading can help improve focus, and finishing a book provides a great sense of accomplishment.

Get Active

With sleep deprivation and an active feeding schedule, most new moms dread hearing advice to “get active.” Despite this, physical exercise remains one of the best ways to improve mental health as it elevates your heart rate, which increases blood circulation and boosts endorphins. Aerobic exercises such as walking and dancing can reduce anxiety and depression, improve sleep, relieve stress, increase energy and stamina, uplift mood, enhance mental alertness, and encourage heart health.

If aerobic exercise doesn’t sound right for you, try yoga. This activity is ideal for people at any fitness level and can improve emotional balance and stress levels with concentrated breathing. It’s also good for your body, releasing endorphins and developing muscle tone and flexibility.

Self-Care Tips for Stay-At-Home Moms

Do a Puzzle

You may not think that you have the right type of personality for puzzles, but anyone who is imaginative, goal-oriented, meditative, or cooperative will enjoy a puzzle. Puzzles come in a variety of sizes and cuts, so you can pick something that will be both challenging and fun. No matter their size or cut, puzzles can improve cognition, visual-spatial reasoning, concentration, short-term memory, and problem-solving. Keep in mind that you don’t have to do a puzzle all at once either. You can piece together sections as you have time, enjoying both the process and the end result.

Take a Bath

While most new moms take quick showers to stay clean and move on to the rest of their routine, taking time for a bath has mental health benefits. A 30-minute hot bath can lessen depression and allow for meditation and deep breathing, which help improve mental health. Including calming scents, such as lavender and sandalwood, can also improve mood and reduce stress.

Reading, exercising, doing puzzles, and taking baths are all at-home activities to improve mental health that you’ll find both relaxing and fun. Taking time for these activities will allow you to better care for yourself, which is essential as a new mom.

Author Bio

Christina Duron is a writer living in the Chicagoland area. Her passion for writing and mental health help create thought provoking and engaging pieces and hopes to use them to empower mothers and women to embrace the beauty of motherhood.

4 Practical Ways to Limit Screen Time

Do you currently limit your screen time? These days, everywhere you look someone is interacting with their phones. Whether you’re playing Candy Crush while waiting in line at Starbucks or scrolling through TikTok, screen time builds up.

In fact, the average American spends an average of 4 hours and 23 minutes on their phone every day. This is time that could be better spent on creating a self-care routine or with your family.

To improve your mental health and reduce your phone usage, below we’ve outlined 4 tips to help you limit screen time.

Practical Ways to Limit Screen Time — *This is a guest post and all opinions are those of the author. This post may also contain affiliate and/or paid links. Rest assured that we only work with companies and individuals that we trust. While some of those companies and individuals may work in the medical field, this post is not intended to be a substitution for medical advice. Always speak to your doctor if you have concerns about your mental or physical health.

Turn Off App Notifications

When you feel that familiar vibration in your pocket, it can be hard to resist checking your phone. You might think to yourself, “What if it’s a text from so-and-so? What if it’s an emergency?” But when you go to check your phone, you find it’s just a notification from Instagram.

If this only happens a couple of times a day, it’s probably not something to worry about. But if you’re like most people, this situation happens regularly and you don’t just look at your phone for a second and then put it away. A notification could send you down a rabbit-hole of flipping from app-to-app on your phone for overwhelming amounts of time.

To stop this cycle before it starts, turn off any unnecessary notifications in the settings app on your phone. You may even want to turn off all app notifications for a week and see what you can live without.

Keep Your Phone Out of The Bedroom

The blue light emitted from phones inhibits your ability to produce melatonin, reducing your quality of sleep. This can leave you feeling groggy and irritable the following day.

To achieve a better quality of sleep and limit your screen time, leave your phone in another room when it’s bedtime. Invest in a digital alarm clock so you can wake up at a decent time without being tempted to browse TikTok first thing in the morning.

Embrace New Activities

It’s tempting to reach for your phone when you don’t have anything better to do. When your life is rich with calming activities, however, it’s easier to keep your phone at bay.

Pick up new hobbies with friends and family. Maybe you start going on walks with your kids or go to yoga with your friends. This gives you an opportunity to strengthen your relationships while you limit your screen time.

Practice Mindfulness

It’s easy to live life on autopilot. When you’re not connected to the present moment, you can mindlessly scroll on your phone without even thinking about it. Practicing mindfulness can help you regain control of your time and cope with anxiety.

Establish a meditation routine in the morning or before bed. Simply sit down and follow your breath. If you find your thoughts wandering, take note of the thoughts and redirect your focus back to your breath.

With consistent practice a couple of minutes a day, you’ll start to recognize the thought patterns that govern your life. Becoming more mindful of what triggers you to reach for your phone and how it affects your mood can empower you to limit your screen time.

Closing Thoughts

Smartphones are convenient tools when used in moderation but can negatively impact your life when overused. To limit your screen time, turn off notifications, keep your phone away from the bedroom, embrace new hobbies and practice mindfulness.

The more you distance yourself from phone overuse, the more time you can spend on self-care and your relationships. To find out more about smartphone dependency, take a look at Clario’s infographic below.

Author’s Bio:

Rhett Rivera was born and raised in the small, farm-town of Waterford, California. His extroverted personality led him to pursuing a degree in Public Relations at California State University, Fullerton, where he discovered a passion for digital communications. After interning at Social Wise Communications creating content for social media and pitching stories to newsrooms, Rhett found his way to Siege Media, where he creates top-notch content that drives traffic for clients.

How To Manage Your Mental Health During the War

It can be overwhelming and frightening when breaking news and images of war, destruction, and death flood the media. These scenarios can impact people’s mental health during the war, causing them anxiety and stress.
The distress usually stems from the fear that similar events will occur where you live. This is a typical response. Some experts have even labelled this phenomenon “headline stress disorder,” “war anxiety,” or “nuclear anxiety.”

If you are feeling this way, here are a few tips to help you fully understand your emotions, cope with stress, and seek help if necessary.

Seek Professional Treatment

If you are worried for more than four to six weeks and have strong feelings that will not disappear, you should seek professional help. People who have had past mental health issues and have survived trauma may also benefit from seeing a psychiatric medical professional. Natural aids like CBD gummies and edibles can also be an excellent alternative to help with anxiety and fear. Make sure you choose only trusted vendors good quality Cannabis Oil to get the best products on the market.

Spend Time with Loved Ones and Practice Gratitude

Although the thought of war can be distressing, be grateful that you live in a relatively safe environment. Food, shelter, and medical care are all available if necessary. These things are worth being thankful for. And people should learn to be grateful for the simple things in life that are often taken for granted.

You can also spend quality time with your family. Take pleasure in their company, whether over the phone or in person. Tell a friend or family member about your worries and how you feel. Maintain healthy relationships and create a solid support system.

Step Away from Negative Thinking

When it comes to your mental health during the war, focusing on “what ifs” can lead to negativity spirals and increased anxiety. Obsessive worry provides no real benefit, especially when the conflict is beyond your control. Positive thinking does not imply ignoring life’s less pleasant circumstances.

Positive thinking simply means approaching unpleasant situations more positively and productively. You expect the best, not the worst, to happen.
If most of your thoughts are negative, you are more likely to have a pessimistic outlook on life. You’re probably an optimist if your thoughts are mostly positive.

Practice Meditation and Mindfulness

In today’s 24/7 world, where attention is pulled in 100 different directions at once, training the mind to focus and concentrate is more critical than ever. Mindfulness practice can help you feel more grounded in the present situation. Acknowledging that, while you can’t predict what will happen in the future, you are safe right now. When emotions become too much to bear, the practice of taking a slow, deep breath and bringing yourself back to the present can be incredibly beneficial.

Make time for yourself as well. Try to relax and reassure yourself that trying time will pass, and indeed they always will. Take a few deep breaths in and out. Engage in enjoyable activities; this is how mindfulness can be practiced.

Engage Relaxing and Soothing Activities

Consuming some form of news every day is essential for most of us. But during times of war, it can take a toll on our mental health. To combat the fear, anxiety, and worry that often follow bad news, Edelstein suggests doing something positive or healthy right away, such as calling a friend or working on a hobby.

Enjoy nature by taking a walk outside. Stress, anxiety, and depression can all be reduced by spending time outside. Breathing in the fresh air can also help center oneself to live in the present. Yes, there might be experiences of anxiety; but even so, recognizing those feelings, reducing media triggers, and relaxing in nature can provide relief.

Limit Time Spent on Consuming News on War

The key to staying healthy, like many other things, is moderation. Staying informed is not only responsible but also critical to your safety at the time of war. Some feasible steps can be taken to protect ourselves and those around us while maintaining a balance of moderation and staying informed. It’s simple to get constant updates, news releases, and minute-by-minute notifications about breaking news with smartphones. This overtime of news of the war can quickly become too much information to process for our mental health. Endeavour to turn off or delete specific news sites, especially if they’re becoming too much.

Avoid watching television news and using the Internet at all hours of the day. Images, rumors, and speculation can all hurt our overall well-being.
A healthy approach to the news cycle is to depend on credible news sources, have experienced members of the media who do their research, and provide wholesome perspectives. Even at that, it is to watch how much you take in.

Final Thoughts

In the end, we have no control over a war’s outcome. But having control over the things we can change, such as how much news we consume, as well as the activities that help us relax, can help with maintaining our sense of well-being and better mental health. Especially when the world feels out of control.

Author Bio

Lisa is a full-time content marketing specialist. She has been closely following the CBD Healthcare and Medical Industry trends for quite some time. On her off days, she likes to spend her time at the nearest animal shelter, or be nose deep in a novel.

Overcoming Pandemic Related Anxiety

As a mom, you know it’s important to take care of your mental health, not just for yourself but also for those who love and rely on you. But that can be challenging when you combine the stresses of motherhood with the anxiety generated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Parenting has added challenges as a result of COVID-19. Many parents juggle child care while working from home or have engaged in teaching duties during their kids’ virtual school. Some people lost loved ones, some lost jobs, and all of us lost a little bit of the security we used to feel pre-pandemic. Who wouldn’t feel anxious with all that pandemic stress? Managing your mental health is always a priority, especially now.

Overcoming Pandemic Related Anxiety — *This is a guest post and all opinions are those of the author. This post may also contain affiliate and/or paid links. Rest assured that we only work with companies and individuals that we trust. While some of those companies and individuals may work in the medical field, this post is not intended to be a substitution for medical advice. Always speak to your doctor if you have concerns about your mental or physical health.

How the Pandemic Affects Mental Health

You’re not alone if you feel overwhelmed when it comes to struggling with health-related anxiety. An estimated 27.2% of American adults reported anxiety symptoms between January 26 and February 7, 2022, according to the Household Pulse Survey conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics and the Census Bureau.

The physical and psychological symptoms of pandemic-induced anxiety and depression can take a toll in all areas of your life:

Physical Symptoms

- - Increased fatigue
  - Headaches
  - Elevated heart rate and blood pressure
  - Digestive problems
  - Insomnia
  - Appetite and weight changes

Mental/Emotional Symptoms

- - Mood swings (anger, irritability)
  - A deep, lasting sadness
  - Lack of focus or concentration
  - Inability to find joy or pleasure in favorite activities
  - Irrational fear (anxiety)
  - Feelings of guilt or hopelessness (depression)

As you can see, these debilitating symptoms can make it hard to function in daily life, especially when it comes to parenting. It’s hard to keep up with an active toddler, for instance, if you are exhausted, or you may lose your patience and snap at your child or partner when you’re overly irritable.

Anxiety or depression may also raise the risk of substance abuse issues. Some people may turn to drugs or alcohol as a way to cope with their COVID-related anxiety or depression. And it can be tough to feel motivated to take care of yourself mentally and physically, but missing doctor’s appointments or screening tests for mental or physical health issues can make the problem even worse.

It’s crucial to find strategies to help lessen any stress you’re feeling as a result of pandemic anxiety or depression. Taking care of your health and well-being will make it easier to take care of your family. If you’re waking up with anxiety, let’s look at some coping methods that may help you feel better.

How to Beat Your Health Fears: Healthy Ways to Cope

Whenever possible, tune out the bad news about the pandemic and tune into the blessings of your life. Develop a gratitude practice (even a quick 5-minute meditation works) to develop a positive mindset.

Take care of yourself with healthy habits. Proper diet, exercise, and plenty of sleep can help you feel stronger physically and mentally. This can help alleviate any COVID anxiety symptoms.

Don’t catastrophize any signs of illness. You don’t automatically have COVID if you get a cough or have a runny nose. Take a breath to get calm. Then, take a COVID test or call your doctor to discuss your symptoms.

Don’t isolate yourself. You may be anxious about leaving your house for errands or work, especially if you have young children who can’t be vaccinated yet or you care for older relatives who are immunocompromised.

Take the proper health precautions. You may wash your hands well with soap and water after you’ve been outside the home or wear a mask in public if it makes you more comfortable and is recommended by your local health department.

Get your health information from reliable sources. There’s plenty of fear-mongering and misinformation about COVID-19 on social media and the Internet. Talk with your healthcare provider if you need trusted information to help ease your health-related anxiety.

Seeking Professional Help

If your symptoms of anxiety or depression are occurring almost every day, and they’ve been going on for more than two weeks, check in with your physician. You may want a psychological evaluation that could diagnose a mental health condition. This could help you towards treatment, typically medication or a talk therapy such as cognitive behavioral therapy.

For anyone on mental health treatment already, for anxiety, postpartum depression, or another condition, it may be time to review the current treatment plan to make sure it’s working, especially if you’ve been experiencing anxiety or depression symptoms. If antidepressants or talk therapy aren’t getting you results, it may be beneficial to discuss alternative therapies with your mental health provider.

One such treatment is transcranial magnetic stimulation. This non-invasive, non-sedating treatment uses gentle magnetic pulses targeting specific areas of the brain to help ease symptoms of major depressive disorder, which often overlaps with anxiety.

Remember that you’re not alone if you’re struggling with pandemic stress that’s turned into anxiety. Reach out for help. We can all get through this together.

Author Bio

Dr. Steven Harvey joined Greenbrook TMS in March 2018 as Regional Medical Director of our Greater St. Louis region. He is board-certified in general psychiatry and has been practicing since 1996 since earning his medical degree from the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Dr. Harvey’s interest in TMS therapy was first sparked during his residency, and in 2013 he began practicing TMS therapy.

Reaping The Benefits Of A Peaceful Backyard Oasis

Does the stress of the day have you longing for an outdoor escape? Instead of obsessing over your next vacation, consider unwinding in the peace and security of your own backyard oasis. Having a serene open-air space mere steps away can provide sunshine and fresh air for the whole family.

Studies have shown people who spend time in nature are less likely to suffer from depression or anxiety. Even if you happen to be short on room, however, it’s more than possible to transform a deck, patio or courtyard into a beautiful place of refuge. Here are some words of advice to create a stress-reducing garden getaway.

Create a Backyard Oasis by Decluttering

The first recommendation is to declutter. While starting with a totally blank canvas isn’t necessary, bringing a backyard oasis to life takes a tidy work area and some planning. Begin by pruning any overgrown trees and hedges, donating unused play equipment, and clearing away any waste.

Plan out Your Ideal Space

Once the space feels bare, take stock of its natural elements, and formulate a plan for anything you want changed. Do you want a water feature, a swimming pool or an outdoor dining area, or do you want to emphasize being one with nature? Whatever your vision, be sure to keep relaxation first and foremost.

How to Decorate with Natural Elements — .

When it comes to furniture, you’ll want to opt for deep seating, lounge chairs and other patio furnishings that encourage everyone to stretch out and relax. Choose textured fixtures designed to withstand the elements and in the colors you love. Another handy tip is to invest in deck furniture that can double as storage, such as an ottoman or bench. This way, pads and pillows can stay clean longer.

Personalize your Backyard Oasis

How else can the space be made your own? Simply decorate it with pieces that speak to you. Whether you prefer unique planters and bird baths or colorful artwork and décor, the space ought to reflect your personality while coinciding with the beauty of nature. Hanging string lights and other outdoor lighting is another great way to set the mood. However, be careful not to overdo it on the décor, as it could upset the flow and make the yard look smaller.

Aside from adding a water feature or sculpture as the focal point, try planting favorite flowers, natural foliage and other plant life. Greenery can help boost moods and doesn’t need to be big to make a major impression. For instance, container gardens are a simple option for small spaces, and they are inexpensive and easy to maintain.

Get Help From a Pro

You can also invest in landscaping. Hiring a professional service to survey property lines, design your backyard oasis and install a perimeter could produce a result far exceeding your expectations. From landscaped hedges, shrubbery or privacy fencing, the possibilities of transforming your outdoor living area are limitless.

For more ways to create the backyard oasis of your dreams, please see the following infographic.

Author Bio:

Danny Rodic is a co-owner of Apex Land Surveying and Mapping LLC. Rodic has over 28 years of experience in the land surveying industry, providing a broad range of land surveying services to clients. Rodic is a licensed professional land surveyor in Colorado and Wisconsin.

Bedtime Yoga: 7 Yoga Moves for Better Sleep

Trouble falling asleep? You’re not alone! Whether you’re dealing with insomnia, restless syndrome or other sleep disorder keeping you up at night, it’s important to craft a proper sleep schedule and bedtime routine to help fight off sleep deprivation. Yoga has many benefits, but it’s especially great to unwind with before bed as it helps relax your body and mind while improving overall sleep quality. Here are a few bedtime yoga poses you can incorporate into your bedtime routine.

Bedtime Yoga: 7 Moves for Better Sleep — *This is a guest post and all opinions are those of the author. This post may also contain affiliate and/or paid links. Rest assured that we only work with companies and individuals that we trust. While some of those companies and individuals may work in the medical field, this post is not intended to be a substitution for medical advice. Always speak to your doctor if you have concerns about your mental or physical health.

Child’s Pose

Child’s pose, also known as balasana, is a simple pose that helps promote relaxation and calmness while relieving tension in the back and shoulders. This is the perfect pose to engage in after a long day. Start by kneeling on the floor with your toes together and hips should-width apart. Slowly push your hips back and rest your chest in between your thighs.

Then, rest your forehead on the ground and stretch your arms forward. Hold this pose for three to five minutes or longer if you’d like. Take slow and steady breaths through your nose as you hold this pose. If you feel comfortable, try slowly rocking your head back and forth. This helps relieve any tension you may be feeling in your brow. To ensure you’re comfortable in this pose, wear a comfortable pair of yoga leggings so you’re able to feel the stretch and aren’t restricted by your clothing.

Cat and Cow Pose

Though it has an interesting name, cat and cow pose is extremely effective for relieving tension in your spine, shoulders and lower back while also promoting mental relaxation. Begin on your hands and knees with your wrists lined up with your shoulders. Inhale into cow pose by bringing the top of your head and your tail bone up to the ceiling. Then, exhale into cat pose by tilting the crown of your head down and arching your spine.

Focus on drawing your belly button in toward your spine while you’re in the cat pose to allow for a deeper stretch. Repeat the sequence five to 20 times, remembering to take slow and deep inhales and exhales as you perform the movements.

Corpse Pose

Also known as savasana, corpse pose is the best way to end your bedtime yoga routine, and best of all, it can be done from your bed. Corpse pose is great for lowering blood pressure and heart rate, relieving tension in your body and promoting relaxation.

To begin this pose, simply lie on your back with your legs straight in front of you. Relax your arms at your sides with your palms facing up. With your eyes closed, take slow deep belly breaths and allow your body to relax completely. Hold this pose for 10 to 15 minutes, or however long you feel is needed. If you have trouble quieting your mind before bed, try putting on some soothing music or engaging in meditation while you hold the pose.

Although sleep doesn’t always come easy, unwinding with some bedtime yoga can help you relax so you can get a good night’s rest. For more yoga poses you can do before bed as well as tips for crafting a perfect sleep schedule, check out the infographic guide below.

Author Bio:

Corey Doane is a digital content creator who helps Adidas create helpful and compelling stories worth sharing. Her background in digital marketing and creative writing has led her to cover unique topics ranging from business to eco to lifestyle.

Tips for Moms: Best Ways to Boost Your Mental Health

Being a mom is one of the most challenging lifetime jobs there is. Moms are so busy taking care of everyone else that they sometimes, or more precisely very often, neglect themselves in every sense. However, neglecting your physical and mental health can have detrimental effects both on you and your loved ones. So, you need to find time and dedicate it to yourself. You’ve probably heard people saying that a happy mom equals a happy family. So, moms, brace yourselves as we’ve compiled a list of things for you to do to boost your mental health.

You can start with practicing thankfulness. We all have plenty of things to be thankful for. We just often overlook them and forget to appreciate them. Being thankful can really boost your mental health. As beauty and health come from the inside out, we should be mindful of our diet as well as physically active. Moreover, it’s essential that moms have some time for themselves. Also, opening up to somebody such as a family member or a close friend can help you relate and realize that other people also have similar issues or worries. And lastly, we can’t be at our full mental capacity if we don’t allow our bodies and mind to rehabilitate during sleep.

Practice thankfulness

To set a positive mindset, you should remind yourself from time to time about things you are thankful for. That can be your family, health, job or even some little things that mean a lot to you. However, it’s often way easier to focus on negative things rather than positive things around you. It’s not easy creating this kind of mindset. What helps is noting down three things you are grateful for each day. You can write them down in a journal perhaps. Writing them down creates a habit for you. By doing it regularly, eventually, you’ll be able to do it even without writing them down.

Pay attention to your diet

Our mental health can easily be jeopardized with the choice of food we take in on a daily basis. For instance, many people have reported feeling anxious, nervous or under stress when eating too much junk and sugary food. Similar feelings are evoked with too much caffeine. What we put in our bodies has a significant impact on our mental health. To boost your mental health, you should have a well-balanced diet. Such a diet is based on fresh, nutritious food including fruits and veggies, nuts and seeds, dairy products, fish and meat. What you should avoid is highly processed, sugary food and too many simple carbs.

By maintaining a healthy diet, you not only help yourself but your child as well. You teach your child good nutrition habits in that way, which is an essential thing for their overall health as well. When choosing a suitable early learning center, pay attention to their meal choice – it should be based on healthy food mostly for your child’s optimal development.

Get active

Getting physically active and engaged in some kind of sports activity can help you in terms of boosting your mental health. When we don’t feel our best psychologically, the easiest thing for us to do is stay in and watch TV. However, such behavior won’t aid your mental health. Instead, you should get a grip, get up and do something physically engaging. You can opt for jogging, taking a brisk walk, riding a bike, swimming or simply going to the local gym. You can even engage in some family time sports activities and play badminton or some other sport. It will help keep your spirits up.

Dedicate time for yourself

One thing that’s key and that many moms don’t have is time for themselves. As we already mentioned, moms have so many things on their minds that they very often, neglect themselves. There are simply too many things regarding their work, children as well as household and other obligations. If you realize that you are in this kind of situation, you should stop for a moment and make a different plan that involves some you-time. In this time for yourself, you can do whatever you enjoy doing. You can go to the hairdresser, practice yoga, take a long, soothing bath or simply do nothing. Don’t feel guilty whatever you do – you’ve earned it! This you-time can recharge your batteries in no time, making you happier and in a better mood.

Open up to a family member or a friend

It’s essential to have some kind of support, regardless of whether you have an issue or not. It helps us just to speak to someone we trust. It can be a spouse, family member or a close friend. By connecting with someone on such a level, we can learn a lot about ourselves. It also helps us calm our psyche down. And if you are struggling with some issues, it would be most beneficial for you to have someone who’s been through something similar to talk to. It should definitely be a person you can trust.

Get enough sleep

Quality sleep is the essence of good mental health. This is a basic human need and you shouldn’t allow yourself to be sleep deprived as it affects both your mental and physical health. You should have approximately around 8 hours of sound night sleep. Your bedroom should be quiet and dark, the bed and pillow comfortable and the bedding soft and clean. All of these things promote good sleep habits.

When being a mom, it’s important to take a break every once and a while and dedicate some quality time to yourself. It perhaps seems not so relevant, however, try practicing these things and you’ll see a boost in your mental health. After all, it’s true that moms are almost almighty, but they are still made of flesh and blood, just like everybody else.

Author Bio:

Sleep Deprivation: How It Affects Your Daily Life and What to Do About It

Sleep is essential to your body, and a lack of it can cause health issues. For this reason, being sleep deprived is a big deal for your body. This post will help you understand the effects of sleep deprivation. Reading this article will let you know how it affects the body and some ways to address sleep deprivation. Don’t let the lack of sleep ruin your health condition.

Various factors can deprive you of a good quality of sleep. That can include poor sleep hygiene, lifestyle choices, work obligations, sleep disorders, and other potential conditions concerning your health. Given these points, you have to address them instead of cope with it. Here are the effects of sleep deprivation on your body.

Various Effects of Sleep Deprivation

Lack of sleep may not seem a big deal, but that is not the case at all. Little did you know that losing sleep can cause a wide range of adverse effects. Aside from that, it can take a toll on different aspects of your body and mind. Below are some effects of lacking sleep:

You experience a change in energy.

In this case, you often feel tired and lethargic, which means you lack the strength to move and perform your duties. That includes when you are at work, home, or school. Moreover, you crave something sweet, caffeine, or naps the whole day.

Lack of sleep can incur mental health problems.

Losing the right amount of sleep leads to mood swings and irritability. Aside from that, you find it hard to deal with and manage stress. As a result, you can become depressed or anxious. The conditions can also worsen, resulting in extreme cases like hallucinations and delirium.

It weakens your immune system.

Your body will find it difficult to defend itself against diseases due to a weak immune system. Lack of sleep can deteriorate it, making you more prone to colds, infections, and many more.

Your brain can become impaired.

The lack of sleep can also have an impact on your brain. Your brain will have reduced creativity and problem-solving skills. Also, it can affect your motor skills, making you at risk for accidents.

Your appearance may change due to a lack of sleep.

It can result in premature skin aging and weight gain. Furthermore, it can also result in acne breakouts. In this case, you can use herbal soap for acne to help clear your skin while addressing your sleep deprivation.

Lack of sleep can increase your risk of developing serious health issues.

Since your immune system is weak, you become vulnerable to many diseases. Some of them are stroke, diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and certain cancers.

These effects are only a few of what you can acquire if you continue losing the amount of sleep you need. What’s worse is that your conditions can worsen over time. Given this point, it is best to address it if you have sleep deprivation.

Ways to Address Sleep Deprivation

You can get yourself out of this sleep problem, and you only have to make a few changes in your lifestyle habits. Below are some ways to put your sleep back on track:

- You should create a bedtime routine and follow a consistent sleep schedule. It is best to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day.
- You also need to set boundaries in your work and social life. Let them know you prioritize sleep, and you preserve the full time of rest you need every night.
- Manage your stress, and you can see positive effects. Learn how to handle stress healthily to improve your sleep at night.
- Reduce overthinking and calm your anxious mind. To solve this problem, avoid screens, work, and stressful conversations before bedtime.
- Do regular exercises to improve your mood and ease various symptoms of sleeping disorders.
- Avoid caffeine intake four to six hours before bedtime. It is best to watch what you eat because it can disrupt your sleep at night.
- Make your room a comfortable place and easy to fall asleep. Your sleeping environment is a factor you need to improve.
- Seek professional help if you think your sleep disorder is a result of a medical issue. Doctors will provide you with a different way to address the cause.

You have found out how sleep deprivation can affect you. It has various effects that can put your health at risk. On the other hand, this post also shared how to address the condition. The bottom line here is you should not lack the amount of sleep. This way, you can also secure your overall health and prevent the adverse effects of sleep deprivation

How to Help New Mothers With Mental Health Problems During COVID-19

COVID-19 resulted in jam-packed hospitals and long lines in healthcare units, leaving new mothers to deal with all kinds of mental health problems. Infected people were rushed to the hospitals, resulting in chaos and fear. On the other hand, healthy people started hoarding basic medical supplies, which caused problems for those who really needed them.

Among all the people who suffered, everyone’s heart goes out to mothers who fought for their welfare and children’s lives. It’s common for parents to worry about their children’s safety, but their anxiety was compounded by the health and economic crisis.

With hundreds of people dying every day, it’s horrific to imagine the struggle of someone trying to bring a new life into the world. What if the child has the virus? What if they need to be rushed to the hospital? What if all the doctors are busy? These were the common concerns among the family members of pregnant women.

The Signs of Anxiety in Pregnant Women

When your worry becomes debilitating, you can assume that you have anxiety. Worrying about your child’s future is common amongst mothers, but COVID-19 has taken it to a whole new level. When negative thoughts about a child’s health don’t subdue even with doctors’ reassurance, you need to provide emotional support. Physical symptoms include increased heartbeat, excessive sweating (in palms), and experiencing difficulty in breathing.

If a pregnant lady or new mother becomes obsessive about their child’s health, chances are she needs support. They may refuse to perform basic tasks to stay with the child or refuse to go to places where they may suspect danger from the virus. You must be patient with them while treating these symptoms.

7 Reasons Why It's Hard to Control Your COVID Anxiety — .

How to Help Pregnant Women and New Mothers With Anxiety and Depression

Some common suggestions include eating healthy and working out with trained professionals who have taken cert 3 and 4 fitness online courses. Watching what they eat can profoundly influence their mood in general and make them feel better. These are the points to remember when supporting a new mother or a pregnant woman during COVID-19.

1. Seek Treatment

There’s no point beating around the bush if you know that your wife or daughter, or sister is suffering from anxiety during this stage of her life. You must actively seek treatment for her that’ll take away the problem. Cognitive behavior therapy is the most common resort chosen by doctors during the peripartum period. Doctors tackle negative thoughts, emotions, and actions with anxiety management techniques during this therapy. For severe cases, doctors may suggest medications. If you are at a mild level, avoid medications and focus on the therapy.

2. Journal

The root cause of anxiety among pregnant women is negative thoughts and worries, and this extends to motherhood. Along with therapy, journaling is a great option to tackle these thoughts. Penning down your thoughts is a great way to judge them. It gives you a perspective on what’s really important and what’s not. It allows you to empty your brain. When you journal at the end of each day, you start another with a fresh mind. Journaling is a must-try activity for expected mothers.

3. Yoga

Yoga is great for pregnant women and new mothers as it doesn’t stress the body. Depending on the strength of a woman, she can combine regular workouts with yoga sessions. It involves a series of poses and breathing exercises that work wonders for your body. It relaxes the mind and helps with the general muscle pain that comes with pregnancy. It is recommended to do yoga early in the morning for a fresh start to your day.

4. Adequate Sleep

Sleep is vital for people with anxiety disorders. Lack of good sleep causes strain in an individual’s brain, which leads to headaches. Sleep can expect both labor process and delivery of the child. It’s common to feel fatigued during the day when you’re pregnant. This is caused by increased progesterone in the body, which causes you to feel exhausted. Sleep is a cure for this tiredness, and anxiety can strip that from you. That’s why you need to use tools that can help you sleep. Try white noise generators or candles that can trigger sleep, so you wake up all relaxed and active.

The chaos and uncertainty have left these new mothers with trauma and mental health problems. Pregnant women are concerned about the impact of COVID-19 on their child which has left them with anxiety. Not only pregnant women but also new mothers suffer from different mental health issues due to increased stress.

This calls for their family members and friends to extend a helping hand. They need support in terms of work and emotional support to conduct their daily tasks and get back to normal life as soon as possible.