The birth of a baby challenges you in many ways – hormonally, physically, emotionally, psychologically and chemically. You are likely to feel exhausted, excited, frustrated, worried, and elated  all at the same time. You feel totally stressed out. It is really important to take care of yourself, especially during the early months of your baby’s life. Remember a fit and healthy mother can care for her baby better. Ask for help or assistance openly, it’s for the best.

Tips for Handling Stress – For New Mothers:

Here are few tips to keep in mind that can help you to overcome the stress of motherhood:

• Get some sound sleep – Sleep as much and as often as you can, because sleep deprivation will make everything seem worse. If your baby is keeping you up at night, rest when the baby is napping. Even if you can’t actually sleep, it’s helpful to close your eyes and take deep breaths to relax. Sleep is natural way of giving you time to rejuvenate and keep your system working in shape.
• Eat nutritious food only.- Avoid junk food, which can cause rapid swings in your blood sugar, increase your anxiety level and a depressant associated with sleep disturbances.
• Take out time to exercise moderately – Take a brisk 20 to 30-minute walk a few days a week. If you can’t fit this into your schedule, walk or take the stairs whenever you can. When you’re out running errands with the baby or by yourself, park a little farther from your destination and stretch your legs.
• Make time for yourself – Private time isn’t a luxury — it’s vital to your emotional well-being. Take a hot bath in the evening, steal away for an hour to read a good book, rent a movie in the middle of the day, or get your nails done. Whatever you do, make yourself a priority. Create a list of things you miss or things that make you feel good. Follow through on one or more of these ideas on days when you need a lift.
• Create couple time – After the birth of your baby, your focus shifts, understandably, to your little one. But reclaim lost moments with your partner by making time for the two of you. Take a walk. Spending time together is an essential ingredient to maintaining the health of your relationship. Sometimes the strongest partnerships are those that are tested in the early months after a baby arrives. Get a babysitter and go out for dinner or a movie
• Understand that feeling run down is fine – Realize that there will be days when you feel overwhelmed, and days when it feels like you’re not getting anything done besides caring for your baby. And that’s just fine. Some new parents find that it helps to try and set a daily schedule or “to-do” list, but know that it’s okay if you have to let a lot of it go.
• Get help from your parents or in-laws – New parents used to be able to count on an extended network of family members to help out after a baby’s birth. Do not hesitate to call on friends else you can afford hire someone to help out as much as possible. And always accept offers for home-cooked meals or babysitting.