Stress-busting for new mothers

Stress. It makes your mood spike and crash. It is influenced by sleeplessness, by being all things to all people, by having to face chores, like laundry, that are never, ever, completely finished. New mothers have special needs and special methods for stress-busting.

According to an article on the BBC Parenting site, this is the single quickest way to combat a stressful moment:

1. Take a slow deep breath in and let it out again. Keep breathing as gently and calmly as you can.
2. Drop your shoulders and let your hands flop down to dangle at your sides.
3. Release all the tension in your face. Relax your forehead, let your jaw drop slightly.
4. Pay attention to your mind relaxing as your body softens up. Notice all the positive changes.

Other methods that work to give me a bit of immediate relief:

• Stepping out onto the balcony or go into the garden for just a few moments of fresh air and weather.

• Drinking a large, cold glass of water.

• Telephoning or instant messaging a friend

• Thinking of people in the world who have real problems, like not being able to afford medicine for their sick children, or not having enough to eat

Don’t despair. The anxiety and tension of stress can rush through your body, making you feel like you’re under attack, but even those extreme feelings can be managed with small actions. Sure, it won’t solve every problem permanently, but all you really need to do is improve your outlook for today.