Simple ways for new mums to cut stress

Having a new baby is wonderful - but it is also life-altering. Your world has changed beyond recognition, sleep is in short supply and as for routine, well, what routine? It can be difficult to adjust to having a new addition to the family and new mums often feel exhausted, overwhelmed and stressed out.

Well, take a breath. There are some simple steps you can take to help to lower those stress levels.

1. Take a walk

Being cooped up inside with a newborn can be difficult and although it may feel like hard work getting organised to go out, some light exercise combined with fresh air will do wonders for your stress levels. Take deep breaths, purposeful strides, look up at the sky and allow the endorphins to kick in and do the trick.

2. One thing at a time

Rather than become overwhelmed by the amount of jobs that need to be done, focus on achievable tasks. The house may not be tidy but the world won’t end if you leave it until another day. And while you may be inundated with visitors, don’t be afraid to say no. Taking too much on is stressful with a little one. Put your needs and those of your baby first, others will understand. Try writing a list of three achievable things you can do at the start of the day and focus only on these.

3. Accept help

If you are happy to receive visitors, let them help - they can make the tea, hold the baby, even do a few chores if they offer. When you’re stressed, a little help goes a long way and never be afraid to ask for it.

4. Meditation/mindfulness

Before you scoff that you barely have time to change your socks, meditation or mindfulness doesn’t have to take up hours of your day. There are apps you can download 5-10-minute sessions on YouTube which can really help to ground you in times of stress. Set your alarm 5 minutes early and try meditating before you get up. If meditation feels too much, simply try taking 10 deep breaths when you feel your stress levels rising it really can re-energise and calm you. 

5. Trust your instincts

As a new mum, you’ll be inundated with advice and tips. Some of it will be helpful, some of it not. Learn to trust your own instincts and not get stressed that you are ‘doing it wrong’. You know your baby best and what you don’t know, you will learn.

6. Food for thought

It sounds like a no-brainer but eating properly helps keep all of us on an even keel. New mums often forget about their own nutritional needs but eating the right types of foods, including plenty of wholegrains, fruit and veg, lean meat and fish and low-fat dairy products, will help keep stress levels down.

7. Share the load

Stress can be overwhelming when you have no-one to share it with. A partner or parent may help, but there’s nothing like the support of other mums in a similar boat. Check out local support groups, baby yoga, coffee mornings. Knowing others are going through the same and similar emotions can really help.