Managing the rollercoaster of emotions in early motherhood can feel like a daunting task. There is so much adjustment, learning and surrender that is required and often very little support available to navigate the massive changes that this phase brings.
Yet emotions act like a gauge, keeping us aware of what works, what doesn’t, where our needs are met and where they aren’t. Tuning in to the emotions that arise and learning to work with them, can allow new mothers to regain a sense of control and keep overwhelm at bay.
Beware of the positivity trap
Did you know that our emotional system works in the same way as our immune system? It allows in what is nourishing and keeps out what is not. Our emotions directly impact our nervous system and making sure that they move through as needed is key to staying mentally and physically healthy.
In the realm of holistic mind/body connection, cultivating positive emotions such as compassion, mindfulness, gratitude, is often the place we’re told to start. However, I’ve noticed with my clients, time and again, that they often can’t easily access these until they start addressing the backlog of repressed emotions which haven’t yet made their way out of their system.
“Suppressing emotions takes a great amount of energy and limits access to joy as
well.” Tami Lynn Kent
In our culture, we tend to overemphasise keeping stress under check and staying
calm at all costs, even though it means repressing healthy emotional response as a
result.
Tears help us process grief and sadness. Healthy anger used as a boundary defence
helps us protect what is precious in our life, the things that matter.
Practicing healthy emotional release as a new mother
So, what can you do to support your nervous system, your mind and your heart to thrive as a new mum?
Practice healthy emotional release. Here are some ways you can do it, and by the same token, support your overall health and wellbeing.
- Put words on what you’re feeling: speak it out loud or write it down. Try not to get stuck in replaying the event in your mind. Instead, focus on identifying the emotions behind the event that triggered you. If you can, follow the sensations in your body as you describe what you’re feeling.
- Get your needs met: an unmet need will often trigger anger and resentment. We live in a world where motherhood is unfortunately not valued and supported adequately. As unfair and disheartening as it is, if we can tune into ourselves enough to identify our needs (for rest, for support, for recognition, etc.) and voice them, we can feel empowered again as we get them met. Every time you feel overwhelmed by frustration, anger, sadness, ask yourself: “what is it that I need right now?”.
- Try therapy or coaching: it can be beneficial if you’re not comfortable accessing your emotions or body sensations on your own or it there’s a history of trauma. It is especially helpful if you’re struggling to identify your needs or ask for help.
- Consider body work: suppressed emotions get trapped in the body. Holistic therapies such as osteopathy, chiropractic, yoga, acupuncture, can help release emotional blockages and support a healthy immune system.
- Use this journaling prompt: where in your life are you not saying no? A great way to gain insights into the areas where you may need to set stronger boundaries in order to address stuck emotions.
And remember the 90-second cycle! According to neuroscience, it takes 90 seconds for the chemicals released by an emotion to flush out of the body. Train your attention so that you don’t get hooked by the thoughts that keep you stuck in the emotion, but instead notice it, breathe through it and watch it move out. This short video by Dr Joan Rosenberg explains this process and I also highly recommend her
book here as a resource to support you.
If you’re keen to stay in shape mentally and emotionally, if you’re going through challenging times and need support to regain clarity, build your confidence and sense of empowerment as a new mother, please reach out. I offer introductory sessions to get to know each other before diving deeper. More about my work here.
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Nourished Psychology
I am a psychologist working in the area of maternal mental health and am passionate about helping mothers navigate the ups and downs of motherhood. After becoming a mother myself, I realised what an immense adjustment it is and how mothers need to be better supported.Mothers need to be nourished physically, mentally and emotionally just as much as the babies do.
Motherhood Village
Motherhood Village is a registered charity (DGR1 Health Promotion Charity) based on the Gold Coast, Queensland, dedicated to ensuring that no mother suffers in silence. Founded by local mother and lived-experience advocate Tracey Tyley, the charity provides free, in-person, peer-led mental health and wellbeing support for parents during pregnancy, postpartum, and the early parenthood years.
Recognised as a trusted community provider of perinatal mental health peer support, Motherhood Village fills the critical gap between clinical services and community connection. Its model is grounded in trauma-informed, evidence-based, and person-centred principles, enabling parents to feel heard, validated, connected, supported, and empowered. Each week, trained Peer Leaders supported by Resident Grandma volunteers, facilitate small group sessions where parents can share their experiences safely, build supportive friendships, and be linked to further professional or community supports when needed.
The charity currently delivers multiple targeted support programs including Village Art for perinatal mental health, support for mothers recovering from acute perinatal mental health experiences, support for bereaved parents, perinatal mental health support, and specialised peer groups for neurodiverse mothers, multicultural and expat families, and health professionals. These initiatives operate in collaboration with local health networks and partners such as Gold Coast Health, GCPHN, Red Nose, Baby Give Back, and The Fathering Project.
Since its inception, Motherhood Village has supported hundreds of families, positively impacting over 600 individuals annually, and has been recognised at the Queensland Mental Health Awards for excellence in early years and lived experience leadership.
Through compassionate, community-based support, Motherhood Village reduces isolation, improves mental wellbeing, and strengthens family resilience during one of life’s most vulnerable stages. Its vision is simple yet profound: to create a space where every parent finds their village, where mental health support is accessible, non-judgmental, and delivered with the empathy that lived experience provides.
The Homecoming Concierge
When you need it – Done. Beautifully. Thoughtfully. Quietly.
A gentle buffer of care, your way — so you can focus on what matters most: you and your family.
We know that coming home with a new baby is magical — and also deeply vulnerable. Between recovery, sleepless nights, and finding new rhythms, it can be overwhelming. The Nest is our signature postpartum homecoming service: designed to make your transition smoother, calmer, and filled with thoughtful touches.
With an eye for detail & a mindful heart, we specialise in beautifying & organising homes, & the finer details of life to make coming home a smooth & easy transition – whether big or small.
Why Families Choose The Nest
Not all days, weeks, or seasons are the same — some call for extra care. We’re here to create more time, space, and ease when:
- Demand is high
- You’re switching gears
- Changing routines
- You’re settling back in
- Or beginning again
Signature Services
Every homecoming is bespoke, yet our most-loved inclusions include:
- A fridge stocked with nourishing food
- Turned-down linens & styled spaces
- Curated eco-luxe essentials
- Fresh air, fresh food & fresh flowers
- The in-between clean (it’s the little things we notice that cleaners often miss)
- Decluttering of home “hot zones”
- Thoughtful luxuries for you & your family
- Special care for fur babies
- Heavy-load service
- Access to a hand-selected network of therapeutic and holistic wellbeing specialists.
About Us
The Homecoming Concierge was founded by a Mama, a green beauty entrepreneur, an Art Director, and a Creative Event Producer. Our manifesto is simple: make our beloved clients feel like the fairies have been & help lift the invisible load. A little thoughtful preparation can change how you feel in your space — and in yourself.
Learn about the support you didn't know you needed.
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I started Sing High Sing Low to create spaces where women of all life stages could connect, unwind, and experience the joy of shared song. The work I do is inspired by the beautiful model developed by Singing Mamas in the UK, which has been recognised by the World Health Organization for its positive impact on perinatal mental health and maternal wellbeing.