When you become a mother, it can feel like your entire world gets thrown off-kilter.
The arrival of a new baby can be messy and momentous. Your whole life has changed and you might wonder if things will ever feel normal again.
While things won’t ever go back to the way they were before baby, they will, in time, even out — and your new normal will begin to feel doable.
One way you can feel more in control of your world a little quicker is to do everything in your power to find balance as a new mom.
When people talk about balance they’re often talking about work and life balance. While this is important, it’s nearly impossible to get without finding inner balance first.
As a new mom, it can be easy to neglect parts of yourself that were — and are — important to who you are. By keeping in mind your essential parts, you’ll be able to strike an inner balance that helps you feel like you again.
Check out the tips below to help find your inner balance as a new mom:
Your physical self is an essential part of who you are and how you feel — and it’s important to nourish it every day.
This is about more than just what you eat. One of the best and easiest ways to care for your body is to move it.
Moving your body doesn’t mean heading to a spin class 3 weeks postpartum because you want to lose the baby weight. It means doing something physical that feels good every day.
That might be a short walk to the mailbox early-on after delivery, a stroll around the block a few weeks later, a swim with a friend a few weeks after that, or dancing with your partner in the living room anytime.
With so much of your brainpower consumed by the needs of baby, it can be tough to pull away from thoughts of breastfeeding and diapers and sleep, and into something that can feel more stimulating.
When you do though, you exercise your brain and help yourself feel a little more like your interesting, grown-up self each day.
Make the choice to watch the news, read an interesting article, listen to a new podcast, or read a little bit of a non-parenting or baby-related book each day and your mind will begin to feel fresher in no time.
New parenthood can be really isolating, but being social is an essential part of being human.
Each day that you can make a point to talk to someone is a day that you’ll feel better than you did before.
While an in-person date with a friend or partner is often the most filling and balancing, sometimes that’s just not possible. On those days, make sure you get out of the house and chat with the barista at the coffee shop, text an old friend, or call a relative to get your fill of social interaction.
If you’re not finding the support and connection you need, you may want to seek out some parenting groups online or locally.
Sometimes connecting with someone who can relate to your current worries and struggles can make them seem more manageable.
As isolating as new motherhood can feel, it can simultaneously be so consuming that it feels like you don’t have even a minute for yourself.
Each day, nourish yourself by taking at least a little time for yourself to do something you enjoy.
It can be as simple as reading a book or taking a solo walk, or as involved as breaking out your favorite crafting kit. But whatever you do, know that doing something for you will help you find the balance you’re seeking.
When you’re missing out on sleep and struggling with parenting challenges, you may feel like there’s no possible way of finding balance. Part of feeling more balanced is coming to terms with the fact that it’s always a work in progress.
Finding inner balance as a mom takes time, effort, and a commitment to making sure you’re taking care of you.
When you do your best to meet your essential needs every day you’ll be better able to move through the world peacefully and care for your brand new baby.
Take the time today — and every day — to seek balance, and you’ll see the benefit of doing so in no time!
Julia Pelly has a master’s degree in public health and works full time in the field of positive youth development. Julia loves hiking after work, swimming during the summer, and taking long, cuddly afternoon naps with her two sons on the weekends. Julia lives in North Carolina with her husband and two young boys. You can find more of her work at JuliaPelly.com.