How to Overcome Postpartum Depression

Anyone who’s ever struggled with depression knows it is one of the worst feelings in the world. You lack energy, hope, motivation, and passion. Your head feels foggy and your body feels heavy. Just getting out of bed is extremely trying and sometimes it’s all too much to bear.

Now factor in caring for a newborn and it’s pretty much the perfect storm. Here you are listless and struggling, trying just to get through the day… and you’ve got a baby in your arms who is depending on you to literally survive!

I just went through my second bout of postpartum depression (PPD), and thankfully it will be my last (hubs is getting the snip snip next week). I expected to get it the second time around, because I’m anxiety prone anyway and very sensitive to hormone shifts. I even prepared myself for it this time around. And yet, despite the anticipation and prep work, when it did arrive it crushed me like a ton of bricks.

The crying. The despondency. The hopelessness. I would not wish depression on anyone.

Which is why I’m beyond grateful to say I feel 100% back to normal, thank God. I’m seven month post partum and I’m finally joyful, energized, and enjoying motherhood the way all new mothers deserve.

So how do you overcome PPD? What steps can a new mom take to beat it once she feels it setting in? I can’t speak for everyone, of course, but here’s what I did. Maybe it can help you or a loved one, too.

1. I called my doctor. Bam! It was the very first thing I did when I felt that overwhelming feeling start to kick in. She prescribed me a breastfeeding-safe medication and got me in touch with a therapist.
2. I talked to people. My therapist. My mom. My spouse. I let them know how I was feeling and how I was going through a tough time. It feels so much better when you can express your feelings to someone. It lifts that huge weight off you, and lightens your load a little. Even if you don’t think they can relate (my husband struggled to understand), at least it helps them to know they need to take it easy on you and maybe take on some additional responsibilities so you can focus on your own mental health.
3. I exercised and ate healthy. I really did not want to exercise. I had NO energy, and I hadn’t done a real workout since I was 12 weeks pregnant. But the first workout is the hardest and they got progressively easier after that. After only a few workouts, I could feel the endorphins kicking in, and man did it feel good. Healthy eating is critical too. You’ll only feel as good as the food you’re fueling your body with. Greens, lean proteins, and tons of water. It makes such a difference!
4. Find your passion. If you have a passion, be it woodworking, painting or archery — whatever it is — take it back up, even if you don’t feel like it. For me, writing is my passion and my outlet. I stuck with a routine to write at least once a week. It was an outlet for me, and also helped me express my feelings on paper. Some days I did not want to write, and I had nothing to say. But I did it anyway. Some of the stuff I wrote was great, other stuff went straight to the recycle bin. But it was freeing, and that was the whole point.
5. Try something new. Find something new to challenge yourself. For me, I decided to start a business as a Health & Wellness Coach. With my recent health and fitness routine, I was regularly talking to friends and colleagues about health and fitness anyway so it seemed like a natural progression. Plus, the challenge of starting my own business was exciting, and the opportunity to make money was motivating. Other ideas could be taking a class at the community college, joining a mom’s group, or starting a blog! Think of something you’ve always wanted to try and go do it. Just because you have a baby does not mean your individual life is over. Embrace yourself, embrace some “me” time, and do something for you!!

I’m so thankful my postpartum depression is behind me. It feels like my world has opened back up and I can finally enjoy the absolute miracle of motherhood. Because this really is the best experience in the world. And once the cloud has lifted and the sun’s rays of hope start to penetrate, you too will feel like yourself again. Only better, because life blessed you with a little miracle of your own. You may not feel it today, or tomorrow. But soon, you will see life with a clear, focused lens again. And it is so beautiful and precious, you won’t believe your eyes.