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.

It is not easy to pen down your thoughts and deliver the message to an open audience to engage, like, and share. Doing this with a kid is a next-level thing. Pandemic not only shook the world for professionals but it also impacted women big time especially the younger women who now have to handle more and more things. But hats off to those women who managed it well and pursued their passion. Today we are going to talk about a similar person who is not only mom, but a blogger, influencer, and a working professional too. Introducing Mrs. Karishma Nayar to share her journey

Please introduce yourself to our readers?

Karishma Nayar, 30, a working professional, a mom blogger, and before all of that, Mama to Gurbani.

What inspired you to choose this industry?

When I became a mom, people had a lot to tell me about motherhood, and they told me how motherhood is the end of your career and all other things to do with you, how the only thing I could now focus on was my baby. Then I decided to bring back my passion into work and took to Instagram to prove it to the world that it’s not the end. Motherhood is the beginning of a new you, and there isn’t a thing that moms cannot do. Whether it’s work, house, kids, or family, women can manage everything. We are the new-age mommies. We know our kitchen and economy equally.

Do you think that it is tough to pursue your dreams and passion after being a mom?

Pursuing your dreams is, either way, tough, but with a good schedule, diligence, planning, and focus, we can still be great moms to our kids while honoring our dreams and ourselves.

Tell us how you handle a baby and work from home?

I have an excellent emotional support system in my husband. Many times I feel like giving up because Gurbani (my daughter) is acting up in academics and or maybe my numbers aren’t moving up on Instagram, making me feel discouraged, and he makes sure he motivates me back into my best pumped up self and other times helps me a lot with the legal side of this career. Finding a mentor or people who will encourage you and help you keep going is a great help. Look for these people in your life because you will need them when the challenges of motherhood and life converge and nothing seems to be going your way.

How do you handle failures?

Unlike every coin, success also has one more side, failure.

Moms always have mood swings. Sometimes you feel like an independent adult who can do it all on her own back to feel almost childlike and dependent on others. I remember creating this one piece of content at 12 in the night three times straight because it got rejected for some reason or the other while having guests in my house and my staff on leave. It’s easy to feel put-upon and angry. Juggling so many roles can be frustrating but seldom. The love for what I do keeps me consistent and happy to be doing this every day. Let me tell you that it is the fastest-growing industry. One needs to be consistent; if you have the zeal or passion for being an influencer, don’t wait for the right time to post, be ready and adaptive to the industry rules.

Your take on Influencer Industry in the next five years?

If you look closely, the industry is not new. We all need an influencer in our life, and this journey starts from our childhood. The platform can be different, but influencers will always be there to keep you entertained and influence you to follow your passion. Isn’t it amazing! A mom, whom everyone has told to forget herself and keep her family ahead of her, managing everything together with so much passion and perfection.

The post In Conversation with Karishma Nayar- Instagram Influencer, Fashion enthusiast and Mom Blogger appeared first on Startup Reporter.

Source: Women Entrepreneur

The post In Conversation with Karishma Nayar- Instagram Influencer, Fashion enthusiast and Mom Blogger appeared first on The Pink Journey.

Mental illness is underrated in India. People still consider it not a big issue. But, the rate of people reporting anxiety and depression is increasing day by day and saw a big jump during the COVID pandemic. Different age groups faced different problems, and the stage of their mental health suffering varied.

Students lost track of their studies; online classes increased their screen time; and grades started dropping as their focus was shifted. They had no physical activities at their home, which made them couch potatoes, and their laziness started changing into illness. Everyone thought that online classes were beneficial and easy for them, but it spoiled their sleeping and studying cycles. They were stuck in their rooms with their screens alone, making it hard for them to express themselves. In a survey by The State of the World’s Children 2021, 1 in 7 people aged 15–24 years feels depressed and loses interest in doing little things. Their friend circle and social lives shifted online to social media, where many of them could not meet the standards and considered themselves inferior to others. This affected not only their confidence but also their relationship with their families.

Employers lost their routine in the pandemic due to work-from-home policies and were not capable of taking pressure. Furthermore, many of them are required to work away from their families, and living alone in four walls in isolation has harmed their mental health.The7thFold conducted the survey and stated that 36% of Indian employees have mental health issues. On the other hand, the unemployment rate increased, which created a financial liability for them. They were not even able to fulfil their family needs, and at that time, the breakdown turned into anxiety and depression. Some of them also suffered from panic attacks.

In the pandemic, more cases of domestic violence were reported in many countries. This triggered the women and their mental peace. They were prey to their brutal or aggressive family members. According to the National Commission for Women (NCW), there was a 94% increase in the registered cases of domestic violence or assault on women in their homes during the lockdown. They did not feel safe at home or at work (primarily in the health and social sectors).She felt alone among her family members, leading to post-depression syndrome. Even when she was sick, she was needed to serve her family members and care for them. Just like men, they also went through the loss of their jobs and experienced mental instability because of financial conditions.

Researchers observed that severe depression and panic attacks were converted into suicides, leading to a higher rate of suicides. According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), in 2020, India saw a 39.8% increase in suicides as compared to 2019.

In the budget 2022, the government will look after mental health issues as their priority. On December 7, 2021, Rajya Sabha mentioned that 10.6% of adults in India have some kind of mental disorder. After observing this situation, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the National Tele mental Health Program, which will offer mental health counselling to the suffering population. Well, implementation of this initiative will definitely bring fruitful results for the people. This will not only work on their health but also normalize mental health as an illness among Indians rather than a taboo. We can hope that people will start talking about it and consider it as another normal human problem.

Kabir Bansal

Founder & Director

Medvraksh

The post Mental Storm: Wave of Anxiety and Depression appeared first on The Pink Journey.

If you want to know the girl behind the Mom, read the blog till the end. I am sure you will get the answers to your questions as well.

Please introduce yourself to our readers?

Karishma Nayar, 30, a working professional, a mom blogger, and before all of that, Mama to Gurbani.

What inspired you to choose this industry?

When I became a mom, people had a lot to tell me about motherhood, and they told me how motherhood is the end of your career and all other things to do with you, how the only thing I could now focus on was my baby. Then I decided to bring back my passion into work and took to Instagram to prove it to the world that it’s not the end. Motherhood is the beginning of a new you, and there isn’t a thing that moms cannot do. Whether it’s work, house, kids, or family, women can manage everything. We are the new-age mommies. We know our kitchen and economy equally.

Do you think that it is tough to pursue your dreams and passion after being a mom?

Pursuing your dreams is, either way, tough, but with a good schedule, diligence, planning, and focus, we can still be great moms to our kids while honoring our dreams and ourselves.

Tell us how you handle a baby and work from home?

I have an excellent emotional support system in my husband. Many times I feel like giving up because Gurbani (my daughter) is acting up in academics and or maybe my numbers aren’t moving up on Instagram, making me feel discouraged, and he makes sure he motivates me back into my best pumped up self and other times helps me a lot with the legal side of this career. Finding a mentor or people who will encourage you and help you keep going is a great help. Look for these people in your life because you will need them when the challenges of motherhood and life converge and nothing seems to be going your way.

How do you handle failures?

Unlike every coin, success also has one more side, failure.

Moms always have mood swings. Sometimes you feel like an independent adult who can do it all on her own back to feel almost childlike and dependent on others. I remember creating this one piece of content at 12 in the night three times straight because it got rejected for some reason or the other while having guests in my house and my staff on leave. It’s easy to feel put-upon and angry. Juggling so many roles can be frustrating but seldom. The love for what I do keeps me consistent and happy to be doing this every day. Let me tell you that it is the fastest-growing industry. One needs to be consistent; if you have the zeal or passion for being an influencer, don’t wait for the right time to post, be ready and adaptive to the industry rules.

Your take on Influencer Industry in the next five years?

If you look closely, the industry is not new. We all need an influencer in our life, and this journey starts from our childhood. The platform can be different, but influencers will always be there to keep you entertained and influence you to follow your passion. Isn’t it amazing! A mom, whom everyone has told to forget herself and keep her family ahead of her, managing everything together with so much passion and perfection.

The post In Conversation with Karishma Nayar- Instagram Influencer, Fashion enthusiast and Mom Blogger appeared first on The Pink Journey.