Category Archives: Perinatal Mood Disorders

The Postpartum Smoke Monster

No, not that one.

While on Twitter last night, I connected with a mom who mentioned something about “smoky rooms.” I replied to her. Those smoky rooms? Surreal. Very surreal.

Until last night though, I had forgotten about them. A remnant of my postpartum experience abandoned in a dark corner.

In the midst of my darkest days, I saw wisps of grey smoke floating through the room. They were always above me, too far to reach. Sometimes there was an overheated electrical scent hanging heavy in the air.

Until last night, the grey smoke wisps were an experience of which I had never spoken.

During the course of my conversation with the first mom, who said close friend of hers also experienced the same phenomenon, yet another mother chimed in, shocked that we were discussing smoke we had seen during our Postpartum experiences. Suddenly we were bonding over smoke. Smoke we had clearly imagined in the midst of our Postpartum Mood Disorders.

It was then that I recalled research which postulated that depressed people are more likely to see everything as gray than non-depressed people.

Then there is the reference of recovery feeling as if “the fog has lifted.” What if the fog really does lift? What if we really are surrounded by fog when struggling with depression?

Did you experience this? What did the fog look like for you? You’re not alone out there in the fog or smoke. There are others who have been there too.

DAY SEVEN (via LIVING The Self-Care Challenge, Oct. 6-26, 2010)

Ever call a friend to share something really important to you only to end up listening to her story, offering sympathy and caring, heartfelt support?

Today, you’re not allowed to do that. Today, you get to call a friend and share about YOU.

We cannot keep everything all bottled up inside all the time. If we did, sooner or later we would explode and who wants to clean that mess up?

Let off some steam today. Call a friend. Share. Get honest. You SO deserve this.

DAY SEVEN Wow, one whole week completed of the 21 day self-care challenge! Research has shown that when stressed, women forego “fight or flee” and adopt their own strategy: “tend or befriend.” When facing challenges, women jump full throttle into taking care of friends and loved ones. This socialized need to nurture even overrides the basic human fight or flight response. Taking care of others as a way to cope is a double-edged sword. We need to meet our o … Read More

via LIVING The Self-Care Challenge, Oct. 6-26, 2010

DAY SIX (via LIVING The Self-Care Challenge, Oct. 6-26, 2010)

Despite not blogging about this challenge on the right day, I accomplished this challenge.

I indulged in Butter Pecan ice cream at lunch and then macaroni and cheese at dinner. YUM.

Now, there are ways to indulge and still be healthy if you’re watching your waistline and calories. Low-fat yogurt or pudding are excellent choices. One of my favorite indulgences is Chocolate Raspberry Mousse Whip by Yoplait! (totally unsponsored) It’s chocolate, it’s creamy, and it’s under 200 calories.

I hope you indulge and let yourself enjoy what YOU want to it instead of cramming down another PB&J because it’s what you made for the kids!

DAY SIX We’re glad you’re here for the 21 day self-care challenge. Time for a treat for you! How often do you eat what you want? If you’re a mom, mac and cheese, grilled cheese, or chicken nuggets may be the order of the day, week, month, or decade. What are you craving? A grown-up treat you never indulge? Not a slave to the limited tastes of those around you? Good for you! Maybe you defer to others’ preferences for restaurants, menu choices, or special … Read More

via LIVING The Self-Care Challenge, Oct. 6-26, 2010

DAY FIVE (via LIVING The Self-Care Challenge, Oct. 6-26, 2010)

Music has always played an integral role in my life. I can’t remember any time in my life without a song attached to it. I may not be able to remember the name of all the songs or the artist, but the music is there.

Music is the language of the soul – it can change the course of your day with just one beat or note.

Give it a go in your own life. It’s so worth it!

DAY FIVE Welcome to day five of the 21 day self-care challenge. You're almost one quarter of the way there! Through the ages, lullabies are proof of the power of music to calm. There’s that oft-misquoted saying about how music “hath charms to soothe the savage breast” (or beast, to repeat the common mistake).  You’ve witnessed the lullaby effect—so why reserve it for babies? As one mom affirmed, facing the challenges of two small girls and endless Veggie … Read More

via LIVING The Self-Care Challenge, Oct. 6-26, 2010

DAY FOUR (via LIVING The Self-Care Challenge, Oct. 6-26, 2010)

I know I’m late with this post and technically it is Day 5 of the Challenge.

My Dad was visiting and we had a very unofficial Thanksgiving dinner with him tonight. The kids had a blast and my day was spent away from the computer (but not my phone).

I cannot tell you how much I LOVE this challenge. Back in June, I started to do 20 minutes of yoga immediately after waking. It was so invigorating that I stopped drinking coffee. My body grew stronger, my balance improved, and I was able to interact with my family in a more energetic way for the rest of the day. I was also walking almost a mile and a half. Then I was doing 40 minutes of Pilates during the kid’s nap time too. For the first time in my life, I was loving the way I felt and looked.

In July, my oldest daughter got sick, I had a toothache, and and and…. etc…. excuses excuses. I got out of the habit and stopped doing my morning yoga. Wanna know what happened? I got grumpy, stopped playing with my kids as much and went back to drinking coffee and soda. I gained weight (nearly 5 lbs in 43 days) as well.

This past week, I started back to my yoga routine. For one day. This next week though? Yoga. EVERY day. Next week? Yoga and walking. The next week? Yoga, walking, and Pilates. The next week? Yoga, walking, Pilates, and Wii in the evenings. For me. Because I deserve to feel and look good. FOR ME.

Join me! Take care of your body!

DAY FOUR Over the hump of week #1 of the 21 day self-care challenge! A worthy accomplishment! Most of us know the value of exercise for coping with stress. You deserve to be proud if you already exercise three times or more each week. Like many women, however, finding a significant block of time for exercise is one of life’s biggest challenges, especially if you have children or elderly parents in your care. Increasingly, research has shown that small bur … Read More

via LIVING The Self-Care Challenge, Oct. 6-26, 2010