Does Exercising Help in Treating Postpartum Depression?

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Last Updated:  | By: Health & Beauty

Engaging in physical activities is one of the advice given when dealing with postpartum depression. Perhaps the aspect of getting back in shape. Even in current times where many parents live far from their families, it takes a village to raise a child. The social media connections we get may fall short in this task. Hiring a nanny, sleeping and also a lactation consultant surely helps. However, what is of utmost importance is the personal interactions with other women who are in the same boat or have experienced the same anxieties.

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The Journal of Midwifery and Women’s Health recommends further exploration of exercise as a therapeutic postpartum medication. This is in the light of some women being reluctant to use antidepressants and the scarce availability of psychological therapies.

In another review where three studies were involved revealed that exercising is an effective treatment for postpartum depression. However, its effectiveness is only measurable by the magnitude physical activity.

Exercising during and after pregnancy prevents postpartum and antenatal depression. On the other hand, it is not a silver bullet and should be taken as one of the elements towards a more diverse approach that includes the following:

Arrange For Healing Time

After delivery, it is advisable to take time off to heal and bond with your baby. Use workouts as a means to further your healing and recovery, and ease slowly into exercising. Remember that your feeling is important. So, avoid the pressures of being a super mom and instead listen to your body for an appropriate guideline.

Getting the Necessary Support

Seek a helping hand from family members, friends and people in your community. Most new mothers find it hard to do so with one of the reasons being not wanting to bother anyone. They also fear that it might seem like they don’t have a handle on motherhood. Well, the truth is that people are always willing to help you out and they expect that you need some. Ushering into parenthood is not an easy task, and people are ready to assist in any way. Mothers tend to let people babysit, help cook and clean by the second or third child.

Support from family and friends is readily available in most cases. Mothers with postpartum mood disorders may, however, find it easier receiving help from people who are not close to them. I recommend seeking help from a specialist such as a doula if you are struggling to keep up with the new baby and everything else.

Proper Diet and Nutrition

To complement the workout routines, you should cultivate healthy eating habits for successful postpartum recovery. According to study reports, a higher percentage of new mothers with postpartum depression had eating disorders. Watch out and seek help if the eating disorder history resurfaces after delivery.

Bonding with Your Baby

Take your baby for walks, do yoga together and simple bodyweight exercises while holding him/her unless you feel the need for a break. This can be an ideal bonding time. Baby wearing builds upper body strength while also keeping the baby close.

Postpartum Recovery Needs More Than Exercising

A cocktail of these elements with a regular exercise routine goes a long way toprevent postpartum depression from developing or becoming worse. Seek help if depression persists as changing lifestyle factors may not always be sufficient.

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