Credits: Roman Samborskyi/ Shutterstock

Top 5 Ways to Show Self-Love As a New Mom

by Raise Vegan | May 19, 2019

Motherhood can be exhausting, especially to new mothers, who often find themselves overwhelmed with everything- from taking care of the baby to doing daily chores. Author Hilary Hinrichs shares some incredible tips on ways to show self-love as a new mom. After all, moms do deserve all the care and pampering 🙂

A few months after having a baby, many women go into panic mode wondering how they’re going to get rid of the baby weight they’ve accumulated. The truth is, every woman is different. It takes time, and it’s usually recommended to focus on losing half a pound each week after your baby is born. Though before you focus on anything external, as a new mom, show yourself self-love for everything your body has gone through the past nine months.

Pause and give yourself time to reflect, thank your body, and remember just how powerful you are. You did just give birth to a new life, after all.

You might also like:

• TRY THIS CREAMY ORANGE JULIUS SMOOTHIE FOR YOUR VEGAN KIDS
• SAUSAGE DOG DITCHES MEAT AFTER NEW FOUND LOVE FOR VEGAN SAUSAGE
• CARDI B LAUNCHES ‘CLASSY AND CLEAN’ LINE OF VEGAN-FRIENDLY CLOTHING
• 10 GYM BAG ESSENTIALS FOR VEGAN MOMS
• CHATTING WITH MELBOURNE BASED VEGAN BEAUTY BRAND INIKA
• PLANT-BASED FOODS YOU AND YOUR PUP CAN SHARE
• MODERN RAW: A FRESH TWIST ON VEGAN CUISINE
• VEGAN MEAL PREP PHO: DELICIOUS, QUICK, AND EASY!

Top 5 Ways to Show Self-Love As a New Mom

1. Remember how powerful you are.

What your body has gone through is something no one can take away, and that’s an amazing reward in itself. You’re a true Wonder Woman. You nurtured a life into this world that only you can say, “YES! I did this!”

2. Be kind to yourself.

Every woman has a unique story of where they are after giving birth. Recognize you’re capable of anything you put your mind to, and know if you’re not where you would like to be right now, that’s okay. You have plenty of time to get there, and every woman has a different journey they begin when ready. Taking time for yourself is part of the healing process.

3. Begin eating foods that are nourishing for you and your baby (if you’re breastfeeding).

Thinking about what you’re putting into your body is probably something you began long before becoming a mom. However, if you quickly entered an “eat-whatever-I-want-since-I’m-pregnant” mentality, you’re not alone. Whether you’re breastfeeding or not, your body is still in need of wholesome food and calories.

Wherever you may be in the postpartum phase, begin with eating a breakfast chock-full of nutrients. I advise my clients to eat a nutrient-dense smoothie full of fresh or frozen fruit, kale, and healthy fats, including hemp and omega-3 flax seeds.

If you’re not a smoothie person, try steel-cut oats. Pro-tip: Soaking the oats the night before allows your cooking time to shrink the day after. Because let’s face it—none of us have time to cook oats for an hour in the morning. Cook for 10 to 15 minutes and add healthy fruits, like blueberries and bananas. Next add almond milk, hemp and flax seeds, and chopped dates as a natural sweetener. Keeping your meals simple, healthy, and satisfying will help you stay on track.

4. Ensure meal time is simple and easy.

There are tons of options you could choose from when making meals, but sticking to simpler options can help take the guesswork out of what’s for dinner. What I recommend is macro-balancing your plates to create wholesome and crowd-pleasing meals.

To begin, half of your plate should be a variety of vegetables, like sweet potatoes, broccoli, tomatoes, butterhead lettuce, kale, and mushrooms. Pick your favorites and remember to mix things up to receive a high amount of vitamins and minerals at meal time. Next are grains, which should be a quarter of your plate. Your best bet is choosing whole grains, including brown rice, quinoa, amaranth, barley, buckwheat, and even Food for Life Ezekiel bread.

The quickest and easiest grain to make is quinoa. Not only is quinoa a complete protein your body loves, it also requires less cooking time than other grains – a great option for new moms. Quinoa is loaded with vitamins and minerals like manganese, phosphorus, copper, and iron giving you sustainable energy. Save time by cooking a larger batch of grains and store them in the fridge or freezer.

Next addition is protein, which should also take up a quarter of your plate. Proteins like beans, lentils, tofu, and tempeh are all great options, as they’re less processed and pack a huge nutritional load helping you feel fuller for longer.

Lastly, include healthy fats, which are essential for brain function and metabolism. Unfortunately, not all fats are created equal. I recommend eating nut butter, chia, hemp, or flax seeds, avocado, and other healthy fats for your meals. By using these guidelines, you’ll be able to make meals quickly without feeling overwhelmed.

5. Let go of the idea that you have to be a certain way to be happy.

Being a new mom can be a lot to take in. Plus, you have an amazing new and beautiful baby certainly making your life-changing experience even more special. These times of change in life are different for every person. No matter what you see on television, or hear about from other people, you’re doing an amazing job and you are enough. It’s an affirmation I advise all my clients to say whenever they’re feeling alone or scared as a new mother. Repeating it to yourself can distract your negative thoughts and replace them with the inner peace you truly deserve.

By focusing on loving yourself and prioritizing your health, you won’t just start feeling like yourself again naturally over time—you’ll also allow your baby to grow up in an environment that teaches them to become just as vibrant and powerful as you are.

Comments