31 ways to beat the new mum blues

The first weeks and months with a new baby are likely to be among the most exhilarating but exhausting of your life. It’s tempting to feel that amid the whirl of caring for a freshly-minted tiny human, you’ve lost a bit of yourself. Reclaim some me time with these mood-lifting ideas …

1 Phone that friend you haven’t caught up with for absolutely ages and have a natter. One rule though: you can’t just talk about your baby.

2 Eat some chocolate … and don’t feel remotely guilty about it.

3 Go for a walk to the most naturally beautiful place within easy reach of home. Stop, look around and soak up the view.

4 Head to a parent-and-baby film screening at the cinema.

5 Take a bath with your favourite potion, add some candles and turn on some chilled-out music. Lie back, relax …

6 Start a ‘few pages a day’ reading challenge of a novel you’ve got your eye on. Little and often works well when life is busy.

7 Put some old favourite tunes on as loud as you can without annoying the neighbours ... and sing and dance along.

8 Begin a gratitude journal – write a line on what made you happy each day.

9 Buy yourself a bunch of flowers.

10 Change your make-up look – get a consultation at a shop beauty counter or check out online tutorials for fresh ideas. 

11 Meditate! It needn’t be anything complicated – try visualising something lovely like lying on a beach in the sun, breathing deeply, slowly and consciously.

12 Have a small ‘me time’ treat every weekend that’s just for you – be it going for a coffee on your own, 10 minutes with a magazine, or a solo stroll round the block for some peace and quiet.

13 Do something creative (that doesn’t involve finger paints and your baby … ) – always wanted to knit a scarf/paint a picture/get more into photography? Start with 10 or 20-minute regular spells to create your masterpiece.

14 Ask your partner to give you a back massage.

15 Clear out your wardrobe – maybe put those maternity clothes away – and refresh what you’ve got. Sell old stuff to create funds for new items.

16 Listen to a podcast on your favourite subject, while walking with your baby in the pushchair or doing household chores.  

17 Light candles at dinner – even if you’re just eating a ready meal, it feels more special.

18 Have a power nap! According to NASA scientists, 26 minutes is the optimal time for an adult’s daytime snooze …

19 Go to bed (even) earlier and at the same time as your partner – pick out some lingerie (now is not the moment for those comfy post-baby pants … ), grab that massage oil and rekindle some romance. 

20 Daydream for 10 minutes. Turn your phone/TV/tablet off and just let your thoughts meander wherever they want to go (but not towards how much you need to do the washing up/when the next nappy change is due!)

21 Give yourself a home facial – cleanse/exfoliate/pop on a face mask/moisturise.

22 Sit down with a cup of tea and take time to read your favourite newspaper or magazine.

23 Sure those box sets of TV series are great, but there’s something extra-pleasing about watching an entire feature film. Get streaming …

24 Invest in a new nail polish and do your nails. Yes, we know it won’t last that well with all that post nappy-change hand washing, but it’ll look nice for a little while!

25 Join a book club – if you really can’t commit to face-to-face meetings, try an online version.

26 Go out just for a drink. Meet a friend/take your partner out for an hour or two in the evening. It’s an excuse to get dressed up and you can still get an early night afterwards.

27 Exercise outdoors in the fresh air. Head to the park if there’s an outdoor gym, sample a buggyfit.co.uk class or walk or run the local Parkrun (parkrun.com).

28 Find a new ‘micro hobby’ (we just made that term up – something you can do for just a few minutes at a time!) It could be learning a language, setting up a blog, knitting, sketching … again, little and often is better than not at all.

29 Do a 10-minute exercise video. Yoga/aerobics/Pilates – there are masses of tutorials on the internet and many are free. A short spell is easier to schedule into your day, but should still boost your mood and fitness.

30 Go out for breakfast to lift your spirits if you’ve had a bad night’s sleep – there’ll be no washing-up as a bonus.

31 Devise a ‘Project Glam’ where you spend five minutes on a beautifying regime daily – be it a quick manicure or straightening your hair.  

*If you think you have postnatal depression, find advice and get help here.

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