Navigating the ups and downs of postpartum can be difficult no matter the season, but doing so when it seems like everyone else is out enjoying long vacations, trips to the beach, and days at the lake can bring its own brand of difficulty. When you’re newly postpartum and facing the summer blues, here are a few tips to help you embrace the season you’re in.
Move your body
One of the best ways to fight the blues any time of the year? A little bit of movement. It doesn’t have to be a full-blown workout (your body needs time to heal from birth), but something as simple as a walk to the mailbox or around the block is all it takes to fight feelings of sadness, stress, or anxiety. If a sweat sesh does sound good to you and you’ve been cleared by your doctor, consider these realistic expectations for easing back into postpartum workouts.
Plan a staycation
Just because a trip to Hawaii isn’t feasible doesn’t mean you can’t experience a sweet summer escape. Planning a staycation can be the perfect way to escape daily doldrums without the mental and physical gymnastics required of traveling with an infant. All it takes is a little bit of planning and a commitment to holding off on laundry and cooking until after your staycay is over. Not a bad deal, right?
Practice gratitude
It might sound cheesy, but the practice of naming what you’re grateful for is scientifically shown to have a whole host of benefits, including boosting an individual’s mental wellbeing, positive emotions, and ability to deal with adversity. Consider taking some time at the start or end of each day to write down three things you’re grateful for. By the end of the summer, you’ll have pages and pages filled with gratitude for this special season.
Stay connected
Postpartum can be lonely. Spending time with loved ones is the best way to get out of your head and feel connected to life outside of the unending feedings and diaper changes. Make a point to get out of the house once a week to meet a friend for a short walk or coffee date, or invite them over to hang on the couch or porch while baby naps. Being with people you love is a sure way to keep the blues at bay.
Adjust your mindset
Summer and postpartum are both seasons. On days when the blues set in hard, it’s helpful to remind yourself that this isn’t forever. And more than likely, this is the only time (or one of just a few times) you’ll experience summer with a newborn. Give yourself permission to embrace all the July newborn scrunches and sweaty wrap ‘n' walks knowing these moments are unique to this phase of your life. There will be plenty of opportunities in the future for adventure-packed summers.
