How to Be Mindful of Your Mental Health as a First-Time Mother

Writer / Dr. Danielle Beaver, Obstetrician at IU Health West Hospital Photography Provided

Stepping into a new role as a first-time mother can bring a range of emotions. Many women feel overwhelmed, depressed or anxious during their first pregnancy, and even after delivery. Below are three tips for looking after your mental health, while also looking after your new bundle of joy.

LEARN ABOUT POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION.

There are many unknowns when it comes to being a first-time mother, including how pregnancy and childbirth will affect your mental health. After childbirth, it is common for most new moms to experience postpartum “baby blues.” Symptoms of postpartum baby blues may include mood swings, anxiety, crying spells and difficulty sleeping. While postpartum baby blues can last for up to two weeks after delivery, new moms may also experience a more severe and longlasting form of depression called postpartum depression. Symptoms of postpartum depression may include excessive crying, difficulty bonding with your baby, severe mood swings, sleeping too much or too little, and lack of interest in activities you used to enjoy. It’s important to understand that experiencing postpartum baby blues or depression is not a weakness as a mother. Schedule an appointment with your doctor if you begin to experience symptoms of postpartum baby blues or depression.

MAKE TIME FOR YOURSELF.

It’s nearly impossible to take care of someone else if you aren’t taking care of yourself first. Schedule time for activities you enjoy a few times per week. Whether it’s taking a bubble bath, reading a book or watching your favorite show, it’s important to take some time for yourself.

LOWER YOUR EXPECTATIONS AND USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA.

As a new mom, you’ll experience unconditional love from your child. Your baby won’t notice if the house isn’t spotless or the laundry isn’t done. It’s important not to feel like everything must be perfect or that you have to do it all. Online shopping and delivery services can be a great resource. Don’t be afraid to lean on friends and family for help.

While social media can be a great way for you to connect with other new moms, it can also be damaging to your mental health. Motherhood, especially in the first few months, is messy, exhausting, difficult and not always pretty. Avoid the urge to compare yourself to other moms on social media.

RUFF LYFE DOG TRAINING 7378 U.S. Highway 36 Coatesville, IN 765-721-0730 rufflyfedogtraining.com

Writer / Jamie Hergott Photography Provided

Ruff Lyfe Dog Training in Coatesville is a family-owned and -operated business that offers nearly any type of dog training, at any comfort level an owner could ask for. Owner Megan Bonifacius was inspired years ago by her own challenging pets.

“They were horrible,” Bonifacius says. “They were great dogs in the house, but I couldn’t walk them. They’d pull my arm nearly out of its socket and leave leash burns. Seeking training for them inspired me to do it myself.”

She opened Ruff Lyfe Dog Training in Coatesville two years ago, and Ruff Lyfe Doggy Daycamp in Danville this past December.

Ruff Lyfe Dog Training offers in-home lessons, private or group lessons at the facility, and also a board-and-train option, where owners can drop off their dogs for two to six weeks at a time for training. Training is based on positive reinforcement and treats, as well as corrections on leashes and collars.

When owners come to pick up their dogs, they receive a lesson themselves on how to keep up with the training their dog received, and videos to take home. A follow-up lesson will take place, which involves a trainer visiting the owner’s home three weeks after their training to make sure the dogs are listening, and answer any follow-up questions.

There are three types of group classes - beginner, advanced and traveling. Dogs who attend the latter class will be taken to various stores or hiking spots at parks for training in real-world situations.

Ruff Lyfe Doggy Daycamp is a facility where dogs of all breeds are welcome. Bonifacius says what makes her day camp different is the level of cleanliness and safety. All employees are trained in dog body language.

Each dog has a 5’x5’ kennel with their own bed, water bowl, and peanut butter Kong toy. She says this way, dogs have their own space and don’t have to share a community water bowl, swapping germs with other dogs. Even when the dogs are let loose in 15-minute play groups with other dogs, there are two attendants on duty at all times.

“We have eyes on every single dog at all times,” Bonifacius says. “They all wear slip collars so we can easily grab them if we have to. It’s just safer overall for dogs and people.” Other services available at the day camp location include various training options (private and in-home lessons, group classes, and day school), and nail trims on the first Saturday of every month.

“We’ll never tell someone we won’t train their dog,” Bonifacius says. “I’ve had a lot of people cry and pour their heart out to me that we’re their dog’s last hope. We are dog trainers, but we end up helping people too.”

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