5 Most Effective Natural Therapies for New Mom Blues

5 Most Effective Natural Therapies for New Mom Blues

It’s not unusual for new moms to experience a wide range of physical and emotional symptoms. From the discomfort felt after giving birth, to the stress caused by chasing after toddlers for the better part of their day, the things that a new mom has to deal with can be overwhelming. For a new mom, or the mom of small children, it’s important to take time out of the day to care for one’s self.

Here are five natural therapies that can help calm the discomfort, stress and anxiety that new moms can experience:

Healthy Diet

By making healthy food and beverage choices, they can alleviate a wide range of ailments. There are foods that can replace lost vitamins and minerals, foods that can relieve stress, and those that can release pleasure-inducing chemicals in the brain. Eliminating stimulating foods from the diet is just as important as making healthy food choices. Caffeine and sugar, in particular, can amplify feelings of anxiety and stress.

St. John’s Wort

St. John’s Wort has been shown to have significant effects on depression without the risk of the side-effects of prescription medications. By taking 900 mg of the herbal supplement a day, new moms can gain relief from their feelings of depression and anxiety. St. John’s Wort is perfectly safe, though moms will need to inform their physician that they are taking the supplement before they are prescribed any medication.

Witch Hazel

During a natural childbirth, the perineum is stretched. This stretching can result in tearing or the necessity for an episiotomy. With or without an episiotomy, this area of the body will be mildly sore for several weeks after giving birth, causing anxiety, or even depression. To alleviate the discomfort that the new mom will be or is experiencing, soak a folded wash cloth in witch hazel and lay it on the area for 15 to 20 minutes at a time. Because witch hazel is perfectly safe, one can repeat this treatment several times throughout the day.

Tapping

Tapping is based on an ancient Chinese method of using the body’s meridian energy fields to relieve physical and emotional discomfort. By tapping one of nine acupressure points on the body, or by being tapped by someone else, with varying levels of intensity, anyone can rid their body of pain, discomfort and emotional distress. These natural, emotional freedom techniques use the human body as its own healing tool.

Yoga

Yoga is one of the best stress-relievers that there is. By practicing yoga while the kids are sleeping, a mom will learn how to breathe correctly, quiet her mind and stretch her body; all of which will help relieve stress, depression and anxiety. Yoga will also help her lose weight, lengthen her muscles and help her body return to its pre-baby shape.

Whether a mom of a newborn or a toddler, no one should feel guilty about any feelings of stress, sadness or depression that they are feeling. These emotions are just as natural as any physical discomfort that they may be experiencing. By using the natural therapies above, they can soon return to a physically healthy body and an emotionally sound state of being.

About the Author

Ann Bailey is a mom, former journalist, and contributing writer for the health industry dedicated to teaching and sharing emotional freedom techniques such as tapping. By discussing these techniques of meridian energy field tapping, the health and wellness provider professionals at tappingsolutions.com bring this ancient Chinese healing practice into the 20th century, helping to benefit health-conscious parents of today.

*Image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net.*