The period after childbirth is a critical juncture in any mother’s life. While it brings a lot of joy and happiness, the period can be overwhelming and pose mental health challenges. Women do not discuss the vulnerabilities and psychological challenges they go through due to social shame and stigma. But postnatal depression is common, and around 20% of women suffer from it.
Because there are no direct tests to diagnose postnatal depression and anxiety, it is not taken seriously but can severely affect the person suffering from it.
Postpartum yoga is a great way to overcome postnatal depression. It helps you relax and unwind from all the stress and anxiety. A lot of people have questions regarding postpartum yoga, when you start, where to go etc. We will cover everything in this article and explain how postpartum yoga can help you with your condition and help you overcome the barriers.
What are Postnatal Depression and Anxiety?
- Here are some characteristics of postnatal depression
- Constant sadness
- Loss of interest in activities you previously liked
- Fatigue
- Feeling constantly angry
- Panic attacks
- Eating disorders
- Unable to bond with the child
- Suicidal thoughts or thoughts of harming your child
- Guilt and hopelessness
Now that we have defined postnatal depression let us answer another equally important question- what is postpartum anxiety? It is a condition where the mother is constantly under stress, anxiety and fear about the baby’s well-being. It is more persistent and can last for many months. While caring for your child is common, unnecessary and irrational fear and constant worry are signs of postnatal anxiety. It can interfere with daily functioning, making you feel irritable and restless all the time.
How Postpartum Yoga Can Help with Postnatal Depression
Postpartum yoga can significantly and positively impact your physical and mental health. It is recommended to most women after childbirth since it comes with several benefits. Yoga has the power to calm your mind and nerves. It allows you to tackle depression and anxiety in a constructive way.
Here’s how postpartum yoga helps you combat postnatal depression
- Helps regulate mood by stimulating endorphins in the body.
- Certain poses can help you build a bond with your child.
- Reduces stress and anxiety with the help of breathing exercises
- Makes you more mindful and conscious of your surrounding
- Helps in dealing with negative thoughts and cleanses your mind.
- It brings back agility and strength, thereby naturally making you feel better.
- It allows mothers to indulge in self-care and thus prioritize themselves. It makes them happy.
New moms are often recommended to stay away from medications pertaining to mental illness, and thus, postpartum yoga can be of real help. It does not have side effects and helps you heal naturally. However, postpartum yoga is very different from regular yoga, and thus, having an experienced trainer is very important. Knowing the poses you should practice and the ones you should avoid is crucial for your health. Before enrolling in a routine, clarify your doubts about postpartum health classes preparation and expectations. Speak to the trainer, explain your condition, and ask any questions you may want answers to.
How to Find the Best Trainer for Postpartum Yoga?
This article will also serve as a choosing yoga studio for new moms guide. You can google and shortlist a few places that have good ratings and feedback. Once you are through with that, look individually into aspects like the location, trainers, how qualified they are, the timings, the pricing, and the facilities offered. Once you have picked a place you like, pay a visit to the studio and speak to the trainer. You can also make an online appointment to determine if you are comfortable with them or not. It is important to have the right trainer because you need to trust them throughout the process if you wish to overcome your postnatal depression.
Final words
Postnatal depression is extremely common among mothers, and there is no shame in accepting it. Do not bottle it up, as it may prove more harmful for you and your kid. Indulge in postpartum yoga and battle it with calm and peace.
