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Adjusting to life with a new baby can be a huge deal, particularly if it's your first baby. It's so easy to let the normal everyday things really stress you out whilst you've got this tiny human attached to your hip all day long. I actually think I was less stressed with my first baby just because I had way less priorities back then, and although I have found the newborn days much more enjoyable second time around - I've definitely felt more stress. This time I've had school runs to factor into my day, I've had another child to feed, bath, put to bed and whatever else whilst my newborn has been screaming. The only way I can keep my cool is to make sure I factor in a little de-stressing to my day. We're all human and sometimes it all just gets a bit too much, but making sure you have some downtime is essential. Here are three de-stressing ideas that I'm sharing to hopefully help some other mama's out.
three ways to de-stress...
Leave the house.
Sometimes all you need to do is get out of the house, whether you go for a walk or a drive, just pack the change bag and go. I know it's easier said than done as I run late to absolutely everywhere these days with two children in tow, but if you always make sure your change bag is ready to go the night before it can make things a little bit simpler. You often just need a breather and a bit of fresh air, and although you're most likely taking the baby along with you, it really does help. Even better if you have a baby who loves the car/pram and goes straight to sleep! Even meeting up with friends or popping round to your parents house can completely chill you out, it may just be that you need a little adult company to relax.
Play some games.
I've kind of rediscovered games lately and I think that they're such a fab way to chill out and take your mind off of the everyday stress. I want to make games night a regular thing with my partner Jake and I'm hoping we can plan some family games nights too. I've currently got scrabble and battleships and I'm looking at adding a few more to my stash, maybe some more child-friendly ones that my 5 year old can play with me. Solitaire also have some great online games if you're home alone with your baby and don't have anyone to play with. What I love about the site is that it has all of the classic games, in this day and age technology has advanced so much that as an almost 30 year old, I feel like I have to learn to play most games but Solitaire.org has all of the old classics. My personal favourites are Battleships and Tetra Blocks. I like that with Battleships you can pick from three levels depending on if you just want an easy game to take your mind off things, or a harder game to put your mind to work. There are loads of other great games on there too so I'd definitely recommend adding the site to your faves tab.
Do something for yourself.
I really think it's so important to keep doing things for yourself as a mum, in order to not lose yourself and who you are. After I had my first baby, Reuben, I was back to work so quickly as that made me feel human and normal. But it doesn't have to be as drastic as going back to work so soon after having a baby, it can be the most simple things that you enjoy and did before having a newborn. I went to get my hair done when Luca was about 6 weeks old and I'm fortunate enough to have a lovely hairdresser who didn't mind me taking him along one bit, and it was such a lovely couple of hours just sat in the hairdressers getting my roots done and chatting to the girls in there. That feeling of normality is so important and helps you stay sane on this crazy motherhood journey!
Let me know if any of you guys have any other tips for de-stressing with a new baby in tow, I'd love to hear them!
