Summer Self-Care Tips for New Moms to Reset
If you’re a new mom, you have probably spent the past few months putting your baby’s needs above all else. However, taking care of yourself is an important job, too. Life with a newborn can feel chaotic, but you shouldn’t have to make compromises with your own self-care.
With practice, you can reclaim some “me” time without sacrificing your little one’s needs. A change in season is the perfect time to make some changes. Try some of these self-care practices to reset and strengthen yourself for the next stage in your baby’s life.
Head to Your Local Farmer’s Market
Eating well shouldn’t stop after giving birth. Getting balanced nutrition with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables will give you the energy to keep up with your new little one. Rather than a boring trip to the grocery store, get some fresh air and sunshine at your local farmer’s market. Many of these locations offer homemade goods and self-care products, so you can turn your food haul into a shopping experience.
Go for a Walk
The summer weather brings many opportunities to get outside. Since you’re still adjusting to your new life and body, take it easy this year. Make going for a daily walk a new habit. You can go alone or push your (hopefully) sleeping baby in the stroller. Both of you will benefit from the fresh air and the movement will help you feel better. Getting 30 minutes of exercise each day is a great way to relieve stress and manage postpartum anxiety.
Up Your Summer Skincare Game
If you’ve been neglecting your skincare lately, nobody could blame you. When you were pregnant, it was probably far from your top priority. Under the summer sun, the most important product to remember is sunscreen for your body, face and lips. Now that you’ve had your precious little one, you can reclaim some time to take care of your skin.
Establish a Morning Routine
Make a habit of carving out a little time for yourself in the morning. If your baby has gotten on a semi-reliable sleep schedule, you could get up before them or you can use their first morning nap.
During this time, do whatever will set you up best for the day. Make yourself a nutritious and satisfying breakfast or just a cup of tea or coffee for now. Cozy up in your favorite chair and read a good book, journal or meditate.
Drink Lots of Water
Moms who are breastfeeding need to focus on hydration even more than the rest. Your body needs a consistent water supply to produce enough milk to feed your baby. You should aim to drink around 16 cups of water on an average day and possibly more on hot summer days when so much of your hydration goes to sweat production.
Just Relax
When you’re a new mom, sometimes all you want to do is crash on the couch. Go for it! If taking a nap or sitting and doing nothing is what will make you feel human again, that’s what you should do - all the house stuff can wait until later.
Cora Gold is the Editor-in-Chief of women’s lifestyle magazine, Revivalist. She has a passion for writing about ways to live a happy, healthy, and fulfilling life, especially for new moms.
