Whether you’re navigating the whirlwind of new parenthood for the first time or you’re a seasoned pro, one thing we can all agree on is that postnatal energy levels are like nothing you’ve experienced!  Amidst the joy and cuddles, it’s no secret that tiredness is a huge part of daily life.

Obviously, part of this is because babies are demanding little beings that need our help day and night – this is completely normal! But we’re also living very different lives to those of previous generations, which puts more and more pressure on us to perform as if nothing has changed! And we slip into bad habits, telling ourselves that we can do it all.

In this blog post, we’ll delve into 7 practical tips and a sprinkle of self-care wisdom to help you recharge those batteries and embrace the chaos of parenthood with a little more vitality. So, put your feet up for a few minutes, and let’s see what we can do to boost your energy levels postpartum.

Because, let’s face it, it’s no fun running on empty!

• Drink 2 litres of water each day. Dehydration can make us feel sleepy and lethargic. Ideally, we want to get the majority of our fluid intake from plain water (and some from the food we eat) but tea, and coffee can contribute some of this – just watch the caffeine. If you find plain water a struggle then try adding fruit slices or fresh herbs like mint.
• Ditch the caffeine after 3 p.m. You won’t even realise it but afternoon caffeine can have an impact on how quickly we fall asleep (when we can!) and how well we sleep when we do.
• Get outside for some movement. Exercise, especially outside, can actually make you feel much more energised. Skip the HIT sessions and go for more gentle strength training or just a simple fast paced walk. No one ever regrets moving their body, no matter how tired they are!
• Try a short yoga or breathing meditation session. Parenthood is taxing on the brain in a completely all encompassing way, so find some time to allow your brain to decompress and switch off.
• During the winter months try using something like the Lumie light to mimic the fantastic energising effects of natural sunlight.
• Go to bed earlier. Yes I know this one is dull – especially if you have a few short hours to yourself in the evening. But your future you will thank you. Grab that longer stretch of sleep when your baby grabs theirs.
• And whilst everyone HATES this advice, it really is so important. Nap in the daytime. Unless you’ve been up all night (in which case take what you can) stick to a 20 minute nap, and not after 3 p.m. Everything else can wait. Our houses do not have to be perfect, we do not need everything clean and tidy. But we do need to care for our bodies and minds. Sleep deprivation can be a trigger for postnatal depression and will supress our immune system, leaving us more likely to get ill.

So here are just 7 steps to help get you on your way. If you want more support in your postnatal recovery then why not join me in April for the launch of my new Postnatal Recovery Programme. It’s open to anyone who has had a baby in the last 12 months and will be on a special early bird pricing for those on the waitlist.

If you’re thinking about your own health, want to feel great and would like some expert guidance, join the waitlist!

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