3 Self-Care Practices For Postpartum

Before getting pregnant and becoming a parent, I was a big trail and/or longer distance runner.

Running has been a way for me to process any secondary trauma from my work as a therapist.

Running has been a way to process my own thoughts and feelings - helping them feel less big.

Running has also been a way I have controlled my weight in the past.

Not having the ability to practice my typical self-care through exercise was so hard for me in my first postpartum. 

What was even harder was seeing my husband be able to go on engaging in his typical self-care, through running and rock climbing.

I felt forced into a place of discomfort - where I would have to find another way to process my big thoughts and feelings.

Three practices I did to help me reduce the level of discomfort:

1) Guided meditations - Preferably ones with words. When I tried guided meditations with a lot of silence or wordless music, I was left with my own postpartum mind. Also, preferably with a breathing practice, so you can learn to become more aware of your breath.

2) Connecting the breath with movement - In the first six weeks of postpartum, it is encouraged to not engage in strenuous physical activity. That could even include a lot of poses in yoga. Doing simple movements, such as lifting your arms up on an inhale, and bringing them back down on an exhale, can be a powerful practice.

3) Gentle walks - Getting outside, breathing fresh air, and being in the sunshine can be incredibly healing. The important thing is to pay close attention to your body, and know when to sit down to rest or when your body is done moving for the day.

I took it one day at a time. With my postpartum physical traumas, I was not able to practice physical activity until 13 weeks postpartum. 

It was really hard; and it made that first gentle run, with my family in the sunshine, that much sweeter. 

And, not being able to run for so long, gave me the opportunity to find new ways of coping - practices I still use today.

I hope you can find healing and balance in these practices, too.