I know I dont post often here, but I just wrote this list for another site. Hopefully none of you are bad off enought to need it, but I know someone out there probably might benefit from it.
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When PPD is at its very worst, you may forget to take care of yourself. A very important thing to get better is to take care of your own needs. As a new mommy, I completely went insane trying to figure out how to do this. Your doctor/therapist may not tell you to remember the following:
#1. DRINK LOTS OF WATER!!!! Dehydration is linked to depression, irritability and headaches. By the time you actually get thirsty, you are actually dehydrated. Also, if you are nursing, this is EXTREMELY important and also very easy to forget in the midst of everything else.
#2. EAT PLENTY OF FRESH VEGGIES AND FRUITS. Omega Fatty Acids are also good for you. They can be found in flax oil, fish oils, and hemp-seeds/oils. And I think maybe avacados. Avacados I know help with mood disorders too, and make your brain feel nourished. The great thing about raw foods is they are so quick and so good for you. No preparation necessary.
#3. AVOID QUICK FIXES from sugar and caffeine. I was really, really bad at this. I know theres someone out there suffering from this too.
#4 DONT FORGET TO GIVE THANKS. As cheezin as it may sound, especially if yer not religious, please remember how lucky you really are. I KNOW how hard it is to do that when you feel so much terrible thoughts and feelings. But it is important and will make you feel so much better.
#5. ANALYZE YOUR THOUGHT PATTERNS. Do you affirm negative thoughts to yourself all day? STOP IT!! stop telling yourself you are a bad mom. stop telling yourself you are ugly, stupid, worthless, fat, whatever you tell yoursef, stop.
#6 TELL YOURSELF THE OPPOSITE. Affirming to yourself whenever you think about it. I AM GLORIOUS, whatever. It really is true that our subconscious will absorb these things. And dont worry about brainwashing yourself into egotism, you are likey to benefit from the confidence.
#7 PRACTICE DECENT HYGEINE. As someone who is used to living in the forest, I have a particular problem in this area, because I dont really care if Im dirty/stinky/hairy. But it really does wonders for you to feel clean.
#8 RECRUIT A LIVE SUPPORT TEAM. Dont fail where I did, and wait eons to get help. ASK FOR IT NOW. From whomever. Go ahead and tell your mother in law/ neighbor/best friend about how bad it is, even if afraid she might gossip about you. Trust me, the gossip will get worse if you let yourself become worse. It will help to set a schedule where you get a break everyday.
#9 TAKE VITAMINS. I guess that should be discussed with a doctor, I dont know, but Im pretty sure a regular multivitamin is safe for pretty much anybody. There are other vitamins/supplements that can also help with depression/mood disorders, I will list some later.
#10 PRACTICE I LOVE MY BABY THOUGHTS. For me personally, I started to blame everything on my baby. NOT a good idea. I know its not his fault. Then I would expereince extreme guilt for having those thoughts. Then I would want to hurt me . The bottom line is that you are this baby's mommy, and you are the most essential part of your new family-a more than tough job-you must practise loving thoughts for the well being of your family. Im not saying to suppress your emotions, Im saying instead of letting bad block the good, always let the good thoughts win. Dont let them bad thoughts rule your life.
DONT WAIT TO GET HELP AND HELP YOURSELF!! That is my biggest regret. Also keep expressing your feelings.
Please let me know if I've missed anything....Im sure I have. Also if Ive over generalized or anything is misunderstood. More to be posted at later time.
2-cancer-horse
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When PPD is at its very worst, you may forget to take care of yourself. A very important thing to get better is to take care of your own needs. As a new mommy, I completely went insane trying to figure out how to do this. Your doctor/therapist may not tell you to remember the following:
#1. DRINK LOTS OF WATER!!!! Dehydration is linked to depression, irritability and headaches. By the time you actually get thirsty, you are actually dehydrated. Also, if you are nursing, this is EXTREMELY important and also very easy to forget in the midst of everything else.
#2. EAT PLENTY OF FRESH VEGGIES AND FRUITS. Omega Fatty Acids are also good for you. They can be found in flax oil, fish oils, and hemp-seeds/oils. And I think maybe avacados. Avacados I know help with mood disorders too, and make your brain feel nourished. The great thing about raw foods is they are so quick and so good for you. No preparation necessary.
#3. AVOID QUICK FIXES from sugar and caffeine. I was really, really bad at this. I know theres someone out there suffering from this too.
#4 DONT FORGET TO GIVE THANKS. As cheezin as it may sound, especially if yer not religious, please remember how lucky you really are. I KNOW how hard it is to do that when you feel so much terrible thoughts and feelings. But it is important and will make you feel so much better.
#5. ANALYZE YOUR THOUGHT PATTERNS. Do you affirm negative thoughts to yourself all day? STOP IT!! stop telling yourself you are a bad mom. stop telling yourself you are ugly, stupid, worthless, fat, whatever you tell yoursef, stop.
#6 TELL YOURSELF THE OPPOSITE. Affirming to yourself whenever you think about it. I AM GLORIOUS, whatever. It really is true that our subconscious will absorb these things. And dont worry about brainwashing yourself into egotism, you are likey to benefit from the confidence.
#7 PRACTICE DECENT HYGEINE. As someone who is used to living in the forest, I have a particular problem in this area, because I dont really care if Im dirty/stinky/hairy. But it really does wonders for you to feel clean.
#8 RECRUIT A LIVE SUPPORT TEAM. Dont fail where I did, and wait eons to get help. ASK FOR IT NOW. From whomever. Go ahead and tell your mother in law/ neighbor/best friend about how bad it is, even if afraid she might gossip about you. Trust me, the gossip will get worse if you let yourself become worse. It will help to set a schedule where you get a break everyday.
#9 TAKE VITAMINS. I guess that should be discussed with a doctor, I dont know, but Im pretty sure a regular multivitamin is safe for pretty much anybody. There are other vitamins/supplements that can also help with depression/mood disorders, I will list some later.
#10 PRACTICE I LOVE MY BABY THOUGHTS. For me personally, I started to blame everything on my baby. NOT a good idea. I know its not his fault. Then I would expereince extreme guilt for having those thoughts. Then I would want to hurt me . The bottom line is that you are this baby's mommy, and you are the most essential part of your new family-a more than tough job-you must practise loving thoughts for the well being of your family. Im not saying to suppress your emotions, Im saying instead of letting bad block the good, always let the good thoughts win. Dont let them bad thoughts rule your life.
DONT WAIT TO GET HELP AND HELP YOURSELF!! That is my biggest regret. Also keep expressing your feelings.
Please let me know if I've missed anything....Im sure I have. Also if Ive over generalized or anything is misunderstood. More to be posted at later time.
2-cancer-horse
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