Cherish Your Health
When I was in highschool, I LOVED exercise. I was very confident in my body and felt quite comfortable doing anything and everything out with my friends.
After becoming a mother, however, I began to find myself feeling ugly and insecure, not only in my physical appearance, but in my capabilities as well. Too tired to play with my toddler? I didn’t prepare my body for this. Can’t lift heavy boxes anymore? It’s because I let myself go. I wanted to do things I used to be able to do, but it seemed as though my body was not capable of what it used to be…
For the first year and a half of motherhood, negative body image absolutely tanked my motivation to do… Well, pretty much anything other than chores and work. As I struggled through this new phase of my life, 2 new hobbies found me: Yoga and Weight Lifting.
Yoga offers a wide range of physical benefits, making it an excellent practice for overall health and wellness. It improves flexibility by encouraging gentle stretching and lengthening of the muscles, which can lead to better joint mobility and reduced stiffness. Regular practice also enhances strength, especially in the core and lower body, as many yoga poses require balance and bodyweight resistance. Moreover, yoga promotes better posture by aligning the spine and helping people become more aware of their body movements. This can reduce the likelihood of chronic pain, particularly in the back and neck, which is common for those who sit for long periods (like breastfeeding mamas, wink wink.)
I, personally, had to start out pretty slow when it came to exercising at home. My aim was about 30-45 minutes 2-3 times per week.
Beyond physical health, yoga also has profound mental and emotional benefits. It helps manage stress by encouraging mindfulness and deep breathing, which activate the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting relaxation and reducing anxiety. The meditative aspect of yoga allows individuals to cultivate greater mental clarity and emotional stability, fostering a sense of calm and focus. In my experiences, I found that yoga could also enhance self-awareness and self-acceptance. All in all, yoga provides a holistic approach to health, nurturing both the body and the mind.
Finally, weight lifting. This hobby offers a ton of physical and mental benefits, including increased muscle strength, improved bone density, and enhanced overall fitness. I started doing weight lifting when I saw a group of other moms at my local YMCA entering the weights section of the gym. Hesitant at first, mostly out of shyness, I observed from a distance. Until, one day, I began asking the other moms there if I could join them. From that day on, I’m glad to say I made some new mom-friends, and I was able to rediscover a hobby I had not enjoyed since highschool.
For those more interested in the facts behind this hobby, it is worth noting the benefits of resistance training, as well. Firstly, it helps to build and maintain lean muscle mass, which can elevate metabolic rate and assist in weight management (Schoenfeld, 2010). Mental health benefits are also significant, as weight training has been linked to reductions in anxiety, depression, and stress, enhancing overall well-being (Smith, 2013).
These were benefits I was able to measurably feel after just a few short months of weekly workout time.
Starting a small exercise routine can be hard for moms struggling with PPD and anxiety. Nethertheless, these hobbies can also be of great help. My hope is that this might motivate a struggling mother to reach out and take a chance on something they maybe hadn’t the courage or desire to try before.
Need a yoga mat? Buy one here.
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References
Schoenfeld, Brad. "The Mechanisms of Muscle Hypertrophy and Their Application to Resistance Training." *Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research*, vol. 24, no. 10, 2010, pp. 2857–2872.
Smith, M. A. "Psychological and Physical Effects of Strength Training." *Journal of Mental Health Counseling*, vol. 35, no. 2, 2013, pp. 168–181.
Mayo Clinic. "Yoga: Fight Stress and Find Serenity." Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 6 Oct. 2020, www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/expert-answers/yoga/faq-20057906.
National Institutes of Health. "Yoga for Health." National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, 2021, nccih.nih.gov/health/yoga.
American Osteopathic Association. "Yoga and Your Health." American Osteopathic Association, 2021, osteopathic.org/what-is-osteopathic-medicine/benefits-of-yoga.
