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.
You may also be interested in...
Mums Matter Psychology
Mums Matter is dedicated to providing accessible and affordable perinatal psychology services for all women who are feeling emotionally or mentally challenged by the transition to parenthood.
Frances Bilbao (Clinical Psychologist and Director) created Mums Matter Psychology in 2015 with the aim of helping all women experience meaning and fulfillment in motherhood, as well as a positive relationship with their child.
We aim to make services ACCESSIBLE and AFFORDABLE to everyone.
To do this we partner with local council Maternal & Child Health centres and Maternity Hospitals to offer services from family friendly rooms close to your home and offer TELEHEALTH so you can access services from anywhere.
And, we offer bulk billing under Medicare (no out of pocket expense) so you can afford to seek help.
We provide individual and group therapy through a team of specially trained perinatal mental health clinicians who hear stories of motherhood each and everyday and an empathsise and understand. They have special training in working with you on common emotional and mental health issues experienced in pregnancy and early parenthood.
The Birth Healing Collective
Hi! I’m Dr Rosie Pajak, a perinatal Clinical Psychologist and mum of two. After many years of working with parents impacted by birth trauma, I founded The Birth Healing Collective to bring support and healing to more families across Australia.
I’m particularly passionate about helping women overcome anxiety in subsequent pregnancies and regain confidence when heading into their next birth.
I developed my unique Better Birth Program so you can enjoy more of your pregnancy, knowing you are doing all you can to emotionally prepare yourself for a much more positive birth experience.
Check out the various free resources on our site, then come and join us inside Better Birth for genuine support throughout your pregnancy.
Not Your Average Doula
As a Mum of 3, Renee brings her own life experience of motherhood, managing the NICU, being a medical mumma and mental health worker to her role as a certified Postpartum doula. Renee will always hold a safe space and offer non judgemental, empathetic care to her clients both in person and virtually. Support is individually tailored to you and your families needs on the day, every visit is different from the last. Birth preparation, postpartum planning and birth debrief sessions are also available.
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