this self-care moment is for the new mommies. because it's no secret that the first few weeks of motherhood can be overwhelming. between the endless lists of things you have to do, not being able to sleep, and just being surrounded by baby things constantly, it's easy to feel like there's no space for anything else — including yourself! luckily, there are ways to take care of yourself while also taking care of your new baby. we complied a few ideas on how you can get back into your normal routine while making sure you're still looking out for yourself:
take a bath.
take a bath with your baby. this may sound like an odd way to spend some quality time with yourself, but it can be the perfect way to calm down and relax after a stressful day. if you’re worried about not having enough time (or privacy) for yourself, try taking baths at night before bedtime so that you’re already in bed when the kids go to sleep. make sure you have everything on hand—slippers and robe, towels, and washcloths—and start by lighting the "sunday kind of love" candle so that the room smells nice while you wait for the tub to fill up with warm water. when they get older they will probably want their toys in there too!
light candles.
aromatherapy is a great way to relax, and there’s no better time to try it out than when you feel frazzled from lack of sleep and constant nursing. just set the mood by lighting our "sunday kind of love" candle and putting on some relaxing music or an audiobook, then enjoy the calming effect that comes from their soft glow.
when you’re done with your rest time, make sure to blow out all of your candles before getting ready for bed (or leaving them unattended). this will help avoid any potential fire hazards as well as prevent unwanted annoyance if they make too much light while you’re trying to sleep!
put on your favorite playlist.
dancing is a great way to release pent-up energy and feel better, as well as increase your heart rate.
put on your favorite music and dance around the house, in the shower, or while folding laundry. It’s okay if you feel silly doing this—it will be worth it when you come out of it feeling more relaxed!
drink tea.
- drink tea.
- read a book.
- do yoga, meditation, or another form of exercise regularly to keep yourself mentally and physically healthy.
- get plenty of rest so that you can be fully rested when it is time to wake up in the morning, which will make it easier for you to take care of your baby throughout the day.
use a body oil.
the blended body oil is a great way to treat yourself. there are many benefits to using body oil such as:
- helping your skin retain moisture
- softening the skin with the help of natural oils like oat or aloe vera oil
- helping prevent dry skin by creating a barrier between your skin and the air around it
go out for a walk with your baby -- enjoy the sunshine and fresh air!
- take your baby for a walk in a stroller.
- go out when the weather is nice if it's not too hot or too cold.
- get outside and enjoy the fresh air! if you live in an area with seasons, go for a walk when spring has sprung or when fall is in full bloom.
- take a walk around the block (or even just across town), maybe stopping off at a local park along the way to enjoy nature's scenery as well as get some exercise. you can even take your little one along on hikes through nature preserves and forests!
the beach is another great place to go on walks -- sand isn't exactly soft on their little feet (but sandals will help).
self-care is personal and important!
for new moms, self-care can be a tricky concept. it's normal to feel guilty about taking time for yourself, especially when you have a tiny baby who needs you constantly.
but you must do it! even if it's just an hour every week, take time out to recharge your batteries and do something relaxing that isn't related to being a mom (or wife). go out with friends, have lunch with your sister or mom, read a book in the park—whatever makes you happy!
it's also okay if this doesn't come easily at first; start small: maybe drink some tea while sitting on the floor? or take a 15-minute shower? the point is that we need to take care of ourselves so that we can continue taking care of others. if we don't give ourselves what we need from ourselves first then how are we supposed to give others what they need from us?
self-care isn’t selfishness! it’s important because when i feel rested and refreshed then i can bring my best self into all aspects of my life: spouse/partner/parenting duties included but also blended-related tasks like writing this blog for example...
it can be hard to take time for yourself when there is so much else going on in your life. but the truth is, if you don’t take care of yourself, then you won’t be able to take care of your baby or anyone else around you. so make sure that you do these things every day if possible, and don't forget that sometimes just taking a few minutes out of your day to relax can help keep you sane!
---
ready to start your self-care journey take the quiz and follow us on social media @shopblendedd for more self-care tips, products and more!
