Balanceophile

Generally speaking, exercising and staying physically active have multiple benefits. There are different ways to stay active, from running and functional strength training to yoga and walking; the options are many. As a postpartum woman myself, I not only see the benefits of exercise but also the importance of it during postpartum. So, in the blog, I have covered the reasons that I have observed as to why postpartum women need to exercise regularly.

More Exercise = More Energy

Kids are hyperactive as they grow, and we need energy to match theirs. Long gone are the days when parents say, “I am ready to die for the kids”. It is high time we learn to ‘live’ for the kids. They need our energetic version, and with our lifestyle and lack of patience, the only way that can happen is if we push ourselves to exercise and stay active. Each of our exercises contributes to making some fun memories with our kids instead of sitting tired, managing them.

Exercise = Faster Recovery

C-section or Vaginal delivery, recovery is important. The first 6 weeks post delivery is a non-negotiable rest phase. After this phase, starting core exercises and strengthening core muscles is important. During the whole pregnancy and delivery stage, core muscles would have gone through so much, and it is natural for these muscles to go weak. Obviously, you have to undergo some core rehab to strengthen these muscles.

Back Aches and Relief

Exercise or staying physically active helps in relieving those nasty back aches and cramps. Especially, once the baby starts moving actively, you may have to be quick on your feet and hold the baby, which might lead to sore muscles. Functional strength training and posture exercises benefit in this case by giving you the necessary flexibility to move around the baby comfortably without hurting your muscles.

Managing Mood Swings/PPA

While there are many ways to handle the ever-fluctuating mood and PPA/PPD, exercise has proven to me to help manage my mood swings and anxiety. See, in postpartum, mood swings are common due to hormonal imbalance, exhaustion, and sleep deprivation. Some might argue that in order to exercise, one must have physical strength. However, you get physical strength only when you exercise, and mental strength is another major benefit from exercise. Start with walking and getting some sun exposure, and you can build along with it.

Helps in Identifying My New Self

I am not sure if this relates to my fellow postpartum women, but for me, exercise is the path to finding my new self. Going through this phase, I am noticing a lot of changes in my thought process, and I know that my old self is hiding somewhere. Through exercise, I am reconnecting to that old self so we can join in identifying the new me. The strength that I get with exercise gives me the space to think through my thoughts and see what is happening in my brain.

If you have any other benefits from exercising during postpartum, please do share them.