Moms, It’s Time To Start Caring for Yourself Like You Would a Baby

These past few weeks, I’ve truly felt the weight of navigating life during a pandemic. It’s a feeling that a recent New York Times op-ed by Alex Thompson described as “languishing.” I’ve been exhausted, irritable, restless, and unsatisfied. The most concerning part is the stress and sickness that have crept in. My sleep patterns are off, focusing has become a challenge, and I’ve even had some odd reactions to foods I once loved.

While I’ve experienced these feelings before, never to this degree. In college, I had to rush a friend to the hospital after she fell ill. Once she was stable, I tried to leave, only to wake up between the automatic double doors in the lobby. I made it through that emergency, but fainted as soon as it was over. A couple of years back, my son underwent surgery to remove a tumor. I was strong throughout the pre-op appointments and remained calm during the procedure, ensuring everything went smoothly. Yet, once he recovered, I experienced a breakdown.

I thrive in crises but fall apart afterward. Now, I feel the lingering effects of an extended period of stress. Many are vaccinated, enjoying vacations, and shedding their masks, but I find it difficult to accept that the emergency has passed.

I know I’m not alone. Many of my friends share similar feelings. As the school year wraps up and summer approaches, we’re all struggling to maintain our composure. It’s as if the CDC’s guidelines gave us the green light to take off our masks, and our bodies responded by shutting down to recharge.

Recently, my younger brother and his wife welcomed their first child, a beautiful baby girl. Looking at their photos reminded me of those early days of motherhood when everything revolved around ensuring my baby was breathing, sleeping, eating, and pooping. This reflection led me to a realization: to heal, I need to treat myself like a baby. And I think you should too.

Revisiting the Basics

As we navigate this new phase of semi-post-pandemic life, it’s essential to examine how we’re doing by revisiting the basics we once applied to our little ones:

How’s your breathing?

Remember when you brought your newborn home, watching their little chest rise and fall? We need to give ourselves the same level of attention. I’ve noticed that I hold my breath when stressed and over-breathe when anxious. Focusing on intentional breathing can help us relax and improve our overall well-being. Think of breathing exercises as daily vitamins for the mind and body. Here are eight breathing exercises you can try today.

How’s your sleep?

We all need rest. Are you getting enough quality sleep? I recently started using a watch that tracks my sleep, revealing why I’m so tired. It’s made me think back to those first nights of sleep training my child, where I endured hours of crying for the sake of better sleep. Maybe it’s time to “sleep train” ourselves. Since my kids are early risers, I’ve set rules for myself, like avoiding screens after 9 PM. What’s your sleep strategy?

How’s your eating?

As a remote worker, I’ve blurred the lines between home and work, and my eating habits have suffered. I often eat breakfast and lunch at my computer and dinner while unwinding from Zoom calls. I need to start eating mindfully, just as I did when my baby was small, paying attention to what I consume and how it affects me. Perhaps you’re in the same boat or struggling with your eating habits for different reasons.

How’s your poop?

Yes, I went there. Stress and our digestive health are interconnected. Remember tracking your baby’s bowel movements? It may be time to start monitoring your own. I’ve found that my digestive health reflects my stress levels. Paying attention to this has encouraged me to make lifestyle changes. If we could manage these basics for our little ones while juggling sleep deprivation, we can certainly apply the same care to ourselves.

Think of this as your “maternity leave” to recuperate from over a year of parenting through a pandemic. Revisit the baby basics; you and your kids will benefit from it. Track your wellness like a mother would, enjoy meals at the dining table, and prioritize restful evenings. And for goodness’ sake, take a deep breath or two.

Search Queries:

In summary, it’s time for moms to prioritize their wellness by treating themselves with the same care they give to their babies. By revisiting essential self-care basics, we can help ourselves heal from the strains of recent times.