6 Ways for New Moms to Unwind and Decompress Mentally

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Sometimes, when you feel overwhelmed, it feels as if it’s next to impossible to just take it easy, right? It just feels like it’s the furthest thing away, right? Now, add a baby or toddler into the mix, and it becomes almost impossible. Not much will cloud up your headspace when it comes to being a mom. As a new mom, you’re often told about the importance of self-care, but with the endless cycle of feeding, changing, and comforting, genuinely unplugging can seem like a distant dream. 

You have your role as a mom, you probably still have work, there’s the unpaid labor at home, relationships you need to maintain, cooking, and the list could just keep going on and on, right? Honestly, what’s the point of trying to relax if this giant list is still going to hover over you like a cloud?

That’s the point of mentally decompressing; sometimes, it’s not as easy as just getting a cup of tea and shutting out the world. Sometimes, it’s just not as easy as that. So, with that all said, here’s what new moms can do to mentally decompress!

Why Mental Decompression Can Feel Next to Impossible for Moms

It’s pretty obvious that the journey of motherhood, while filled with a lot of joys, often comes with unique challenges that can make mental decompression particularly difficult. Again, just like what was said above, it’s not always as easy as just a little step to get out of your mind. It’s never actually that easy. The constant demands of a baby—feeding, changing, comforting, and erratic sleep patterns—can leave little room for personal time, making it tough for moms to switch off and indulge in self-care.  Even when they’re asleep, how long will they actually be asleep?

But it doesn’t even end there; you also have to focus on navigating health concerns, such as deciphering Red Cheeks In A Toddler: possible causes and what you can do—which adds another layer of worry and responsibility. There’s just so much you have to keep in mind when raising this little human. They become the center of your whole life. The emotional landscape can be complex, with feelings of immense love intertwined with anxiety, guilt, or even loneliness as one navigates this new identity and responsibilities. 

To top it all off, there are those societal expectations, too, and what you might see from Mommy influencers online might not help. In general, there’s so much that’s going to be on your mind 24/7. Sure, it’s totally understandable that you might feel like you can’t mentally decompress. But the thing is, you still have to. You still need to. It might feel impossible, but it is truly possible—just very difficult. 

Create a Sensory Escape Zone

If you think about it, your bed is a piece of furniture you go to for relaxing (to the point of sleeping), so why not have a whole space for something like that? Find a small nook in your home and transform it into a sensory escape—a place where no baby monitors or diaper discussions can invade. 

It’s best to tailor this zone with elements that soothe all five of your senses. A soft, plush throw, dim, warm lighting (think salt lamps or fairy lights), and a diffuser emitting your favorite calming scents, such as lavender or chamomile, can make this space uniquely comforting. It’s basically about having a space where you don’t think about anything bad. For example, if you went into a spa, you’d immediately do what you can to unwind, right? Well, it’s the same concept.

Engage in Micro-Art Sessions

You don’t have to be an artist to find solace in creativity. Take a good look at art therapy, for example; it’s all about letting out those emotions you’re feeling. But sometimes, you have to scale it back due to time. Micro-art involves small, manageable projects that can be started and completed in short bursts—perfect for moms out there. 

So, you’ll want to think of tiny canvases for miniature paintings, small pieces of pottery, or quick sketchbooks dedicated to doodling. It’s not exactly about creating masterpieces but more about losing yourself in the moment and experiencing flow, which is a deeply relaxing mental state.

Aromatherapy Might Help

You can combine this with the designated space you’d like to decompress; it might work better. When it comes to aromatherapy, you might want to focus specifically on aromachology. While aromatherapy focuses on using scents for healing, aromachology studies the influence of odors on human behavior. 

So, it’s really about experimenting with scents to see how they affect your mood and mental state. For the most part, it’s still going to be the usual ones like peppermint, lavender, sandalwood, and scents like that. But find something that works, and while you relax, get a diffuser or candle out and let the scent surround you. Eventually, this will work as a queue to relax.

Consider Yogic Sleep

As a mom, yes, doing yoga can be phenomenal for helping you mentally decompress, but sometimes, it’s just not enough. Again, as a mom, especially a mom of a baby or toddler, it can feel next to impossible to let everything escape your brain. So that’s why you may want to look into this option. 

So, this form of yoga is a guided meditation that brings about deep relaxation. Unlike other yoga practices, it’s done entirely in a lying down position and often leads to a state between sleep and wakefulness. The whole point is to feel rejuvenated, especially if traditional meditation (the usual yoga) just can’t do it. It’s best to remember that this type of yoga and meditation takes time, as you usually can’t go in on day one expecting to be successful. 

Engage in Nature Therapy

So this one might not be possible where you’re living and what your schedule is in a day. While traditional advice often encourages walks, consider taking it further by practicing intentional nature therapy. This can be as simple as sitting quietly in a garden, engaging in gentle walks through a forest, or listening to natural sounds on a headset. The key is to be present in the moment and absorb the calming effects of nature, letting it soothe your mind and refresh your soul.

 So, if you live in a rural area, this will be super easy to achieve; if you have a backyard, then it makes it easy, but if you live in an urban or suburban area, then you could look into going to a park. Usually, moms will bring their baby with them, and this can technically make it a tad challenging to truly decompress. So, if possible, practice nature therapy in solitude.

Experiment with Sound Baths

So, if you cannot go out into nature, this could be your next best thing. Sound baths can come in various forms, like natural sounds, but they can also employ instruments like singing bowls, gongs, and chimes to create immersive, resonant soundscapes that can lead to deep relaxation and stress relief. 

Usually, high-end spas offer this, but you don’t need to go that far. You can just look for online recordings on YouTube for this. Even a few minutes can help reduce anxiety and rejuvenate your spirit. For the ultimate mental decompression, you could try combining sound baths, a designated relaxation space in your home, and aromatherapy. For the most part, you can expect to combine most of these together because, usually, just doing one thing or the other might not entirely help with mental decompression.

Conclusion

As a new mom, it’s understandable to feel overwhelmed and like mental decompression is impossible.

However, it’s important to remember that taking care of yourself is not selfish, but necessary for your well-being and your family’s.

With a little effort and some creative thinking, creating a sensory escape zone, engaging in micro-art sessions, trying aromatherapy, and considering yogic sleep can all help you find moments of relaxation and peace amidst the chaos of motherhood.

So, go ahead and rediscover your calm – you deserve it!