Despite the challenges of starting and running a business empire while raising children, mompreneurs are proving to be resilient and determined groups. They bring a unique set of skills to their businesses, including multitasking, problem-solving, and creativity. Many mompreneurs have also found that motherhood has helped them to develop important leadership skills, such as patience, empathy, and the ability to delegate.

In addition to the personal benefits of being a mompreneur, these women are also contributing to the economy by starting and growing their businesses. They are creating jobs, bringing innovative products and services to the market, and driving economic growth.

As more women embrace the role of a mompreneur, it is important to recognize and support their efforts. By doing so, we can create a more inclusive and diverse entrepreneurial community that celebrates the unique contributions of all its members.

The list of Top 10 Mompreneurs in India is as follows:

1. Dr Madhuri Bhatt Founder of Soham Homoeopathic Clinic and Healing. Practicing homoeopath for the last 15 years at Ahmedabad. Her motto is to cure her patients of their physical, emotional and financial complaints. She practices many healing modalities like Pranic Healing, Sound Healing, Crystal healing, Clinical Hypnotherapy, Access bar, and many more. She integrates Homoeopathy with healing for treating her patients.
2. Neha is the founder of Momly, a platform for connecting new moms and moms-to-be with other women and industry experts to support them through this most transformative phase. Born out of her own personal experience when Neha moved from the US to Lucknow, this platform has connected 2500+ women over the past year in different cities. Neha is a product professional with experience in B2B in US and Europe.
3. Being a mom of two Priyanka Jain always desired comfortable & stylish clothing for her children & herself! That was the birth of her third child her brand -PHOOLBOOTI They are manufacturers of printed cotton textiles with the help & support of her husband she started this brand and they aim to deliver comfortable yet super chic clothing for all age groups from children to elderly females. Their USP is quality & the prints which are unique when combined with their designs – it’s a beautiful garment which is hard to resist buying.

4. Moushumi Pal is a brand strategist & Founder of Woodpecker Media. Moushumi has worked with numerous Multinational Companies in the past 15 years with hands-on experience in marketing strategy, public relations and curating experiential events. She is also a certified life coach and a mentor and coach to many small businesses. She has been an integral part of the journey of many eminent personalities in their success as her fortray lies in personality PR.

5. Zahra Jani’s “Being Mom And Beyond” page is the ultimate source of inspiration for women everywhere. With 60K followers, Jani covers everything from parenting and fitness to self-care, beauty, and fashion, empowering mothers beyond motherhood. Recently crowned “Women Influencer Of The Year,” Jani’s journey is a reminder that we can achieve incredible feats and rise above societal expectations.
6. Richa is an Assistant Professor turned Mom – Artist who is on a mission to spread happiness with her Art business called Dreamy Arts By Richa. She conducts offline Art Classes for kids as well as sell customized handmade Wooden and Resin based product perfect for Gifting or Home Décor. Being an Artist is one of the toughest businesses in India, still, for her passion, she has maintained a perfect balance between being a mother and Artist together.
7. Iti Rawat is a Social entrepreneur, E-Learning evangelist, and motivational speaker. She runs successfully two organizations parallelly, Thinkhall Academy a training company, and WEFT Foundation a women entrepreneurs support group. She helped many startups by building their content strategy and training content.
8. Aarti Notiyal is the founder of Bubble Communication and a serial entrepreneur for 10 years. She has worked with Corporates and MNCs, NGOs to support them in their Marketing and Branding needs. Bubble communication provides 360 media solutions.
9. Rachna Chaudhary is the founder and Director of MEDIA value works and co Partner in Business Development Centre with MSME Business Forum India. She is a well-known entrepreneur in the Ecosystem and received many awards
10. Saakshi Choithani: Saakshi is a successful Business Coach and Founder of Mindynamics. She helps solopreneurs and business owners in formulating their business strategies. She balances both the world perfectly.

The post The Pink Journey releases list of Top 10 Mompreneurs on International Women’s Day 2023 appeared first on The Pink Journey.

A creative content studio that creates the most aesthetic and luxurious content for prominent brands like Dharma productions, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Nykaa, Lakme, TATA Cliqs, Tiger Baby and more.

BTG has expanded to a team of close to 80 creative individuals who generate strategies for the brand identity to content development, from visual direction to production shoots, from luxe editorial concepts to new OTT productions and has more than 37 events, 151 films, and 1000+ hours of production to its credit in the span last 4 years.

1. What inspired you to take on clients from the travel and luxury fashion industries?

Team BTG: The allure of travel and luxury is irresistible to a lot of us. Who wouldn’t want to indulge in their creativity while providing top-notch experiences and services? We make it possible for brands to tell their unique stories through clutter-breaking content. We don’t just throw together any old marketing strategy and call it a day. We tailor our approach to each client’s individual needs to connect with their audiences in a memorable and meaningful way.

2. Can you share a time when you had to deal with a difficult client request and how you handled it?

   Team BTG: For aeons, at the start of our business we’d be met with rigid board rooms of 50+ men, who wouldn’t be able to take our team of young women seriously. Once the MD of a leading OTT platform asked us “Out of curiosity, are there no men on your team?” At the end of a gruelling three-hour pitch. The silly question obviously, contrary to popular belief we love the men on our team. We were quick to revert with “There are men, but they just don’t sit at the top”. Rest assured we won the pitch.

   3. How do you approach working with designers or content marketing teams to create unique and exclusive experiences for your clients?
      

   Team BTG: Collaboration is key when it comes to unique and exclusive experiences for our clients. We like to start by getting to know them and understanding their strengths, interests, and areas of expertise. Then, we brainstorm together and come up with ideas that play to each other’s strengths. We think it’s important to be open to feedback and be willing to pivot on our ideals. Sometimes, the best ideas come from unexpected places, so we try to create a culture of collaboration where everyone’s ideas are valued. We firmly believe our women’s leadership, right from our producers and managers to our cinematographers and designers has been the secret sauce to our global large-scale productions, international presence, and our 16x growth over the last couple of years.

   4. How do you stay up-to-date with the latest lifestyle and fashion trends and fads? 

   Team BTG: Read, a lot. Watch, a lot. Of course, we also keep an eye on industry publications and attend various events and shows. We are fortunate to have established partnerships with some of India’s most prestigious brand names, including Dharma Productions, Tiger Baby, Nykaa, Lakme Fashion Week, and many others. Our team of 35 young professionals, combined with our extensive network of over 50 creative freelancers, work together to provide exceptional content and production services that are reflective of current trends and styles, both locally and globally. Furthermore, our global presence in major cities like London, Los Angeles, and New York, as well as emerging markets like Cyprus, Dubai, Lagos, Kenya, and Hong Kong, enable us to stay on top of the latest global trends in the industry.

   5. What do you believe are the most important skills for someone in the travel and luxury fashion business?
      

   Team BTG: You need to be a multitasker. In this space, there are always a million things going on at once, from booking flights and hotels to coordinating shoots of all scales. So, you need to be able to juggle a lot of different tasks and priorities at once. We’re often times shooting at multiple different locations at once. We think it’s important to have a penchant for innovation. The travel and luxury fashion space is ever-evolving, and you need to be able to stay ahead of the curve and come up with a boatload of fresh ideas. Whether it’s a new hotel or a bold new fashion brand, you need to be able to think outside the box and push the boundaries of what’s already been done.

The post A Creative Tale: How One Studio is Redefining Aesthetics in Brand Content Creation appeared first on The Pink Journey.

When you have a strong sense of self-love, you understand your own value and treat yourself in a loving way. Unlike narcissism, which is excessive self-absorption and self-interest, self-love is a positive trait. Loving yourself means having a good understanding of both your strengths and weaknesses.

Once we get used to thinking a certain way, we need to bombard ourselves with positivity to reprogram our minds and get them back on track.

Love word is often associated with romantic love, but it’s important to remember to also show love and appreciation for ourselves. Self-love is the foundation for all healthy relationships, and it’s essential for our well-being and happiness. Here are some ways to practice self-love this year:

1. Take time for self-care. This can include activities like taking a relaxing bath, reading a book, or doing yoga. Do something that makes you feel good and helps you recharge.
2. Practice self-compassion. Treat yourself with the same kindness and understanding that you would offer to a close friend. Don’t be too hard on yourself and forgive yourself for any mistakes or missteps.
3. Surround yourself with positive influences. Spend time with people who uplift and support you, and limit your exposure to negativity.
4. Celebrate your accomplishments. Take a moment to reflect on your achievements and all the things you’re proud of. Write them down and keep them somewhere you can see them often.
5. Set realistic goals. Create a plan for the things you want to achieve, but make sure your goals are achievable and don’t set yourself up for disappointment.
6. Indulge in your passions. Whether it’s cooking, painting, or playing an instrument, do what you love and what makes you feel fulfilled.
7. Get adequate rest and nutrition. Taking care of your physical health is key to feeling good and having the energy to pursue the things you love.
8. List the things you love about yourself. And I mean everything. Get as specific as you can. Include aspects of your personality, things about your appearance, your actions, etc. Nothing is too random.

We may have been told that we “can’t expect anyone to love us until we learn to love ourselves.” But for those of us who’ve experienced childhood trauma, and difficult relationships learning to love ourselves may be a little difficult.

The good news is that self-love is actually a skill you can develop — much like self-confidence or self-trust. And it’s an important one. Most of us tend to toss away compliments instead of embracing and internalizing them. Get into the habit of embracing compliments, acknowledgements, and any other positive regard people want to throw your way.

Self-love is a journey, and it takes time and effort to develop. But with a little patience and self-care, you can create a happier, more fulfilling life for yourself.

The post You Just Need To Love Yourself More appeared first on The Pink Journey.

Happily, there are many ways to combat the causes of dry skin and keep yourself and your skin moist in this season. With this, you can enjoy winter wonderlands and bonfires. Just avoid hot showers because that strips the natural oil from your skin. Rather use lukewarm water for bathing.

Listing my top 10 essential skincare products you need to retain that moisture and get soft, supple skin.

1. BIOTIQUE Carrot Seed Oil

After Bath Body Oil

This after-bath oil is blended with pure carrot seed, almond and groundnut oil, mixed with walnut and Mustard oil. It keeps skin soft, supple and free from dry skin and wrinkles. Leaves your body skin lustrous and younger looking. Carrot seed oil fights common skin bacteria, blocks sunlight and gives even skin tone.

Buy it from here.

2.  Zayn & Myza Tea tree & Salicylic acid foaming facewash

This is pure love for acne-prone skin. It reduces acne & pimples and controls excess oil. Contains the goodness of aloe vera that hydrates and softens skin & Neem extract that prevent acne-causing bacteria from infecting pores. They claim to be alcohol-free, 100% vegetarian, have no skin irritants, no animal ingredients and are dermatologically tested. Easy to use packaging, comes with a brush attached to the bottle for gentle cleansing.

Buy it here.

3.  Nivea Shea Smooth Body Milk

This is the deep moisture serum you can’t do without in winter. This body milk by Nivea is best for dry skin and keeps the skin hydrated for the whole day. Use it all over your body to keep your skin healthy and soft. This has the goodness of shea butter which gets absorbed into your skin and gives silky smooth skin that you feel to touch again and again.

Buy it here.

4.   Ponds Superlight Gel

This super light gel is best for acne-prone skin and is infused with the goodness of hyaluronic acid, vitamin E and glycerine. This absorbs faster than regular creams and gives 24 hours moisture lock. Ponds super light gel leaves your skin soft with water fresh-like glow.  It’s very affordable, good quality and good for every season.

Buy it here.

5.   Zayn & Myza- Iceland Aqua Bomb Moisturiser

This Korean product is a bomb in a jar for your skin! Made with Glacial Natural Spring Water found in Olfus Spring in Iceland, this lightweight formula naturally hydrates your skin from within. Its quick-absorbing, non-sticky formula contains 8 types of Hyaluronic Acid of different molecular weights that penetrate the skin to infuse and lock in moisture. This gives a natural dewy glow to your skin.

Buy it here.

6.  Love Earth Vitamin C Sunscreen SPF 50

Vitamin C sunscreen SPF 50 from Love Earth is a matte finish that protects you from any kind of sunburn. It feels like a primer and also evens out the complexion and improves skin luminosity. This can be used on all skin types and with all age groups. Vitamin C sunscreens have been proven to protect well against UVA rays as they tend to be more effective at neutralizing free radical damage from sun exposure.

Buy it here.

7.  Vit C 10% Face Serum by Minimalist

This is a magical glow booster for your skin. This serum ensures high delivery of vit C directly into your skin. Vit C reduces melanin production resulting in glowing skin. This serum is suitable for all skin types. With anti-inflammatory Centella water, it is suitable for even sensitive skin. It is beginner friendly formula. This serum is made with a stable Vitamin C derivative, 10% Ethyl Ascorbic Acid that is closest to pure Vitamin C (L-Ascorbic Acid) in molecular size and weight. This helps in delivering maximum benefits of vit C without getting losing efficiency till the last drop. Don’t forget to top it up with moisturiser and sunscreen.

Buy it here.

8.  Niacinamide 10% From The Ordinary

This is a water-based serum that boosts skin brightness, improves skin smoothness and reinforces the skin barrier over time. It has Niacinamide 10% + zinc 1% which helps in reducing the appearance of acne as well as diminishing fine lines, and wrinkles, minimizing pores and fading dark spots with long usage. You can use this in your AM and PM routine. Top it up with a good moisturizer.

But it here.

9.  Retinol Face Serum from The Derma Co

Retinol increases skin cell production. Retinol also exfoliates your skin and increases collagen production, which can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, giving your skin a fresher, plump appearance. And Retinol face serum by Derma Co does the same for you.  0.3% Retinol Serum is beginner-friendly, together, Retinol and Vitamin C help refine skin texture, alter aged cells, and enhance skin radiance for younger-looking spotless skin. People with oily and normal skin can use it. It is to be used in PM (night time) followed up by good moisturiser.

Buy it here.

10.  Salicylic Acid Face Serum from The Derma Co

2% salicylic acid face serum has witch hazel and willow bark which can be used day and night time. Salicylic Acid is to be used when you have active acne or acne marks. People with acne-prone skin, dry or oily skin doesn’t matter tend to get acne even in winter too. This is your best investment to tackle those tiny bumps on your face. It unclogs pores, removes blackheads, and whiteheads. This allows it to easily penetrate deep within pores and clear sebum clogs that also cause acne.

Buy it here.

The best is to incorporate products with ingredients like Vitamin E, Vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, essential oils and retinol for skin that helps moisturise the skin and helps in retaining natural moisture. Don’t forget to moisturise your lips with Vaseline petroleum jelly to protect your lips from harsh weather.

Happy Skin = Happy You.

The post 10 Essential Skincare Products For Winters appeared first on The Pink Journey.

What is a brand community?

A brand community is where people prioritize establishing an emotional connection with the brand, consuming its content, and sharing products/services with others. In other words, they love seeing what their favourite brand has to offer. Communities are key to brand loyalty, awareness, and overall success.

What makes a good brand community?

When businesses can create a sense of community among their customers and around their products or services, they will have the upper hand in the long run. Individual consumers will become brand advocates, and loyal customers will feel even more connected to your products/services.
A brand needs a community to increase brand awareness, understand customers, improve outcomes and build brand loyalty. This is a successful trend, especially in tech companies.
A brand community can be understood by the following characterization:

Personalization

The most successful brand today knows the power of personalization can change your marketing game. By adding an AI-driven layer of personalization, each customer will have their needs met consistently- that means more loyal customers are on the way. It also helps in retention.
Over the past few years, personalization has played a major role in shaping brand communities through social commerce. A company like Starbucks is the best example of this. It creates a personalized shopping experience for its customers by writing their names on the drink offered and also has offers for loyal members.

Engagement & Collaboration

Successful online communities don’t just help you sail through marketing campaigns-they offer good space for customers to connect and find a solution in real-time. Many brands are hopping on this trend of building customer engagement platforms- but few are diving deep into it and understanding it better. If you can create a two-way engagement community, then loyalty will follow without a doubt.
The internet is full of a blank walls. And due to these customers being left unanswered about their most important questions and sometimes redirected for hours, as we get most of the time on customer care calls with teleoperators. It’s a defiantly frustrating ordeal!
As much as it’s important to ask a question in the community, allowing customers to pitch in and present their ideas sometimes can also be beneficial for a brand. This is the case with LEGO and its collaboration efforts. Once this company was on the verge to file bankruptcy, and today it’s one of the best examples of building a huge brand community. Members could submit new concepts, vote on them, and choose ideas to receive their share of royalties.
These types of exchanges allow the company to grow incredibly and gain a loyal customer base. This is also a direct contact between the brand and the user.

Key benefits of building a brand community

One of the best things about being an entrepreneur and having a community is you will have complete control over what content and visual identity is presented in front of the public. Below are some of the benefits:

Customer retention increases

Promoting and growing your brand community through apps is a great way to ensure it will be used for a longer period. When your community is happy about what they experience, they will bring more members into the group- this makes retention easier and cheaper as there is less acquisition cost.
Brands can retain customers by adding engaging features to their platforms like Live chat and streaming. As you are using customer data to find out more about their needs and sell accordingly, better provide the best experience. If you have built trust with them, you will not need much convincing to sell your newly launched product.

Creating brand advocates

It’s hard to get the word out right in public about your company. But your loyal army can do that for you. The online community of followers who are ready to give you reviews and positive feedback will spread the word too. This is why it’s important to transform your brand community into your advocates.
If user-based content is increased that will automatically uplift your brand value and increase sales. Your fans are the most valuable assets you have. Your brand advocates create authentic content that reduces the risk of distrust as it’s real people giving feedback- which means having them on your side is building loyalty with others.
Starbucks is the best example of having a good brand community and creating a success story. Starbucks’ online community is a valuable brand advocate. Because Starbucks allows them to share their ideas and experience on the Starbucks blog and even earn money for their contribution. Starbucks always give prompt reply to their customers online, this enhances engagement and brand loyalty.

Better customer experience

The best way to meet expectations is to know what your customers want, and you can easily know this by collecting customer data and getting feedback through surveys or online communities. Use the data collected in improving their experience with the brand and improve future interactions.
Apple is the best example of this, has always cared deeply about its customers, Apple’s support community is a space for feedback, support, and knowledge sharing. This in turn fuels the engagement among its active fan base. You as a company should make it easier than ever for a better customer experience.

Less dependency on ads

How did you make a recent purchase from your favourite brand? Was it when it was on sale or did you come across an ad? Most likely you purchased it because you have an emotional connection with that particular brand and if we need something we always go back to that same brand without seeing ads.
When you establish a strong brand community, it will automatically draw people towards the brand without putting ads in front of their faces. It is more of an emotional connection.
A proven study shows that User- Generator Content impacts the purchasing power of people. Hence, a brand community leverages this business strategy, and users are more likely to trust the brand as a whole.

Naturally, brand communities are no longer a buzzword but something for all marketers to consider beyond just a tactical drive to sell.

The post Why Does Your Brand Need A Community? appeared first on The Pink Journey.

Just 20 years ago, the idea of a female entrepreneur heading up her own company would have seemed too ambitious idea. Today female entrepreneurs are leading and starting their own companies even more.

Female entrepreneurs are entering into every sector be it finance, media industry, technical field, medical equipment, and revamping the ever-evolving world of technology. They are definitely breaking that glass ceiling and climbing through.

Check out these must-read books for female entrepreneurs and get inspired to create your own entrepreneurial story!

1. The Confidence Effect: Every Woman’s Guide to the Attitude That Attracts Success.

Author- Grace Killelea

Every day many talented, hardworking women are passed over for promotion. It’s easy to blame corporate structure that we think favours men, author Grace Killelea identifies another culprit: Confidence. Men tend to overestimate their abilities and women often sell themselves short.

The Confidence Effect helps women to speak out, take a risk and assume leadership positions with assurance. And teaches women to be more confident and take one step at a time. In this book, women learn practical strategies with the 4 R’s of success- Relationship, Reputation, Results, and Resilience.

2. She Means Business: Turn Your Ideas into Reality and become a wildly successful Entrepreneur.

Author- Carrie Green

Are you ready to hop on the entrepreneur train? Do you want to turn your ideas into reality and build a successful business? This is your best time to say yes! In this book, Carrie Green shows you how to face the challenges you get in running a business, and from her experience, she teaches all this. She first started her online business at the age of 20- she knows what it’s like to be an ambitious and creative woman with big dreams and determination.

This book helps you guide in moving past your fears and doubts that can get in the way. Understand your audience, so you can truly connect with them. Create a brand and build a tribe of fans, subscribers, and customers. This book provides with honest, realistic, and practical tools you need to follow and bring your vision to life.

3. Girl on Fire

Author- Cara Alwill Leyba

As the cover page says- How to choose yourself, burn the rule book, and blaze your own trail in life and business. This book truly teaches you to keep going in your toughest times too.

Entrepreneurs need constant motivation to keep going, Girl on Fire is the right book that will push you to get things started. It advises women to keep going and find their opportunities and not just keep waiting for them. It teaches women to create their own opportunities by being trailblazers and believing in their intuition.

4. Lean In

Author- Sheryl Sandberg

 If you are a woman who wants to climb a professional ladder or enter an entrepreneurship journey, Sheryl Sandberg’s book Lean In is best to follow. Packed with personal experiences and practical tips, the book is monumental for helping women reach their full potential.

You might have heard a few stereotypes such as either choosing your career or family. You can’t handle both at the same time. This is what the author of this book explains, that it’s possible to have both, no matter what others say.

It also throws light on gender differences in the workplace and how women can overcome them and discover possibilities.

5. Thrive

Author- Arianna Huffington

 In this book, Arianna Huffington makes a compelling case for the need to redefine what being successful means in today’s world.

Being a women entrepreneur can be exhausting, and it affects our mental health as well. This book provides research-based advice to slow down and connect with yourself in between. It is inspired by the personal health challenges faced by the author when she fell down and broke her cheekbone and had a nasty gash over her eye. This was all result of exhaustion and lack of sleep. As the cofounder and editor-in-chief of the Huffington Post Media Group — one of the fastest growing media companies in the world — celebrated as one of the world’s most influential women. After all this, she wondered is this what success feels like.

She has linked her drive for money and power to two legs of a three-leg stool. They might hold up for some time but in long run will collapse. We need a third leg—third metric for defining success to really thrive.

There you go a comprehensive list of 5 must-read books for female entrepreneurs to succeed regardless of challenges and obstacles. Let me know which one was your favourite.

The post 5 Must Read Books For Female Entrepreneurs appeared first on The Pink Journey.

Online Shopping- New Normal for Buyers

India’s rise in online shopping is fueled by the 639 million strong internet population, and COVID-19 accelerated the process by adding 80 million online shoppers in the last three years and that makes it 130 million today. During the pandemic there was the temporary closure of physical stores and the public was diverted to online shopping which gave rise to this D2C market and it flourished. Online shopping in India is expected to grow at a CAGR of 35%+ from $39 billion today to $200 billion over the next 5 years, also supported by internet and payment infrastructure developments.

Advancement of Consumption Pattern

Women, the new class of consumers have the final say in more than half of household decisions now. And more than half of them are online shoppers. Consumption trends are also progressing, new-age consumers want niche and customized products and are ready to pay large amounts for them. Traditional players are not able to fulfill that. So, every shopping experience is made keeping women as consumers in mind.

Inclination Towards D2C brands

Companies with D2C channels have an emotional connection with their consumers, fostered by a unique brand identity and clear value proposition. D2C brands are characterized by their innovative marketing style, efficient operational processes, and effective use of technology. With easy access to customer data D2C brands work on the shopping pattern and a feedback-led model and develop products to ensure that customer needs are met.

Emergence of D2C Brands in India

There are 800+ D2C brands in India as of April 2022 and the expected market opportunity by 2025 is $100 billion. India is witnessing a rise in D2C brands across categories. As many women-led businesses are been funded and early-stage funding activity is huge we can see many women-led D2C brands now. As women are the majority of consumers so the market has risen in products consumed by women. D2C brands such as Zivame, MyGlamm, WOW skin science, Mamaearth, Sugar cosmetics, and Spring Dairies, among others, are occupying niches and creating brands with extraordinary value in their respective sectors.

Future of D2C Brands in India

The pandemic has changed the game and made everyone realize that nothing is certain in business. And brands have been trying out new strategies in cost, retail experience, and research to provide a personalized experience to customers to excel in their segment.

To boost sales, D2C companies will play more in personalization and customization using more and more technology. Famous brands like super smelly which is a skincare brand and WOW Skin science are planning to increase their retail presence and expand pan India. All D2C brands will touch customers wherever they are online or offline.

Written by- Seema Lalwani

The post Emerging D2C Brands of India- Introduction appeared first on The Pink Journey.

Constant struggles with mental health can make it difficult for any new mother to tend to their own as well as their child’s needs. Besides the pain and trauma associated with childbirth, new mothers also must deal with challenges related to new responsibilities and expectations from their immediate and extended families. Further, new mothers’ bodies go through intense hormonal changes, which make it difficult to keep emotions in check, which is why they need to be given sufficient time to adjust, recover, and recuperate. Add to this if the new-born baby has any problem at birth or needs to be shifted to the ICU for better care, it is an additional cause of stress and anxiety for the mother. 

The pandemic further complicated the anxiety and stress women go through during pregnancy and childbirth. It created a vicious circle, where many women had to go for check-ups and ultrasounds without the support of their partners and families due to COVID related protocol. However, it is critical to understand that with time everything falls into place and by asking for help, women can truly make motherhood and pregnancy a memorable period in their life.

 Below are a few ways in which families and caregivers can help make the pregnancy journey in a woman’s life a little less stressful and a whole lot happier.

Support from immediate families: 

Although we live in nuclear families, it is essential to have a team that includes parents, in-laws and siblings who can rally around the new mother to encourage them in the pregnancy journey. It is critical to work as a team so that it becomes easier to tide over the difficult moments and provide the new mother with the resources and strength, she needs to tackle any issue. 

Every pregnancy and post delivery period will have its ups and downs. Whether it is irregular sleep patterns or ailments like fever and cough in babies or mothers experiencing bleeding after delivering, vaginal discharges and pain, with constant support and care from the immediate families, recovery will be a smooth process if everyone works and supports each other like a close-knit team.

It is a good idea to communicate and split responsibilities between the couple before the birth so that new mothers also get time to relax and sleep. Also, don’t hesitate to ask for help from extended family and friends, as everyone knows it takes a village to raise a child.

Have a good diet and stay active: A good diet is essential for a new mother as she needs to recover the strength and stamina that she would have lost at childbirth. Make sure the meals cooked are fresh, well-balanced, and nutritious. Also, since the baby is completely dependent on breast milk, the mother must have a healthy diet.

Further, while we understand that taking care of a new-born baby is a 24/7 task, it is crucial to take a break for at least 20-30 minutes every day so the mother can focus on her own health and well-being. During this time, the mother should focus on simple exercises and do things that she loves, like reading, mediation or listening to calming music. Stress-free alone time can go a long way in helping a new mother heal and, at the same time, reduce her stress and anxiety.

 Speak to an expert: Today, people are more aware of mental health issues, including postpartum depression, than a decade ago. So, if you face any problems related to mental health, you must seek help from your immediate family and medical experts if required. Some common signs of mental illness can include a lack of bonding with the baby, sudden outbursts of emotions, lack of hunger/sleep and fatigue. If you feel that you are unhappy for long durations and without any specific reason, seek medical attention as it will help you cope in a more healthily and effective manner.

Also, if you have a new mother in your family, make sure they are well looked after both emotionally and physically. More importantly, if you notice any signs and symptoms of them being depressed or anxious, make sure you speak to them or a doctor if required.

In conclusion, if you are a new mother and struggling with your emotions, figure out what you need, seek support, and find strategies that will empower your emotional and physical well-being. And never forget that you are a survivor and are capable of overcoming every challenge that this journey might entail.

Authored by Dr Sonal Kumta, Senior Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, Fortis Hospital Mulund

The post The Importance of Mental Health in New Mothers appeared first on The Pink Journey.

Sharing stories of victories and defeats with others is important to heal. The healing that happens when you’re heard and validated is remarkable.

Healing 2 Peace is the journey of different brave souls from suffering to surviving their pain. It is not just mine or my kids journey, anyone can join us. It doesn’t matter what they survived, it only matters that they did.

One time I was listening to Oprah Winfrey, she said –

” If they don’t offer you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair with you next time.”

I was deeply touched by this line and I created my own platform. This is not just mine, who ever was never heard or validated, I am here for you, to hear you, to support you.

Our mission is to promote the self-reliance and empowerment. We educate and empower others about the abuse we suffered, how we survived and what resources we found helpful for us to over come our suffering.

Our aim is to provide a platform for victims/survivors, to tell them about available resources and other coping skills. We will tailor this platform to meet the special needs of other brave souls who are overcoming hardship.

After devastating events, getting back to normal is hard. For some of us, financial insecurity becomes a major obstacle. Yes, there are many resources available to help us but when we are in the healing process, it is overwhelming to ask for help. It feels like we are asking for too much. So when we are in therapy, using our pain, creativity and skills, we create awesome and amazing things.

Join us, maybe you will also find your passion.

It is a wrenching feeling going from being self- sufficient to need money (from others) for every little thing.

Come and join me in our healing journey…

You can reach out to me anytime through the email at www.healing2peace.com or Instagram @anju29peace or @healing2peace

Stay connected to learn more about mental health, parenting, home decor, healing, mindset transformation, resources to get help for domestic violence and child abuse.

The post Make a walk in such a way that everyone learns many things from your each STEP – HEALING 2 PEACE appeared first on The Pink Journey.

From many years, the war begins at home. Each year million children are reported as victims of child abuse and neglect.

In India, stats and numbers are really terrifying as we can’t see children as individuals. Most of the families, think children are subsidiaries of their parents.

As a parent, we need to shield our children from physical or any other abuse. The best thing we can do for our children is to love them, support them and keep them safe from harm and abuse.

A child should never suffer or be abused based on the fact that the responsible adult is ignorant or unable to take care of him/her.

Now talking about our families and homes, who are most vulnerable and get affected with our relationships with our closed ones, partners, family or relatives?

Our children…

It doesn’t matter at what age they get affected. The truth is that they get affected and we ignore them. We only focus on our pain and healing and neglect their suffering completely.

They need our assurance and full attention in those times but we feel exhausted to provide them. Yes there are many resources available everywhere to learn and know more about these.

With healing2peace.com I am going to share my resources and experiences, which helped me and my kids to heal in a healthy way.

One of them is – Finding and recognizing healthy adults in your family and friends. Recognizing who is good for your kids growth and who is not.

To know the signs and red flags for healthy adults, join me on Instagram live discussion @anju29peace

The post Save the children, Save the future… appeared first on The Pink Journey.