Maintaining Sanity Postpartum during Quarantine.

Earlier this year I was blessed with a bundle of joy, the feeling of being a mother again after 15 years was ecstatic. It was all joy and excitement until Corona virus struck the world, causing us to change our lifestyles to suit the new normal. Considering myself as an outdoor person and adjusting to quarantining almost sparked postpartum depression in my thoughts.

I love my children and I enjoy spending time with them but having to take care of a newborn all by myself after a C-section coupled with guiding my oldest through home schooling made me nervous.

The height of my fright was when Covid-19 peaked, and stores were closed. I’m the type who strolls the stores just to clear my head. My favorite shopping strip which is 2 minutes away from where I live closed its doors temporarily. I had to figure out a way to maintain my sanity.

After a while I realized the only time I had a break to distressed was when I got into the shower. I will exfoliate my body with coffee scrub and give myself a deep facial cleanse. Once every two weeks my husband will soak my feet and exfoliate them, he will clean my cuticles and paint my toes. He would also give me a deep tissue body massage in the comfort of my home, these are a few of the million reasons I love him without limits.

One way I started my mornings was lighting fragranced candles around my home. The scented candled changed the atmosphere of my home and enhanced my mood. The smell of vanilla, lavender, mahogany teak-wood, and cookie dough inside my home gave me a good feeling every day. Also, music was one way I escaped the harsh realities of quarantine, so my favorite dance-hall music tracks were on constant repeat.

I used my free time to perfect my baking skills, I made rum cakes, banana cakes, sweet potato puddings. I just refused to be caught up in a state of depression and boredom, so I had to make use of every idle time. The baking sessions were also bonding moments for me and my family.

I am a fitness enthusiast, but sometimes I need a workout buddy. During my pregnancy I gained an extra 36 lbs, immediately my physician gave me the green light to start working out. I was so impatient to return to my usual 132 lbs because all my clothes couldn’t fit, and I wasn’t ready to do away with all the unique pieces I had collected over the years. My husband and I created a 30 minutes indoor workout routine which involved stretching, jumping jacks, sit ups and squats. Eventually I regained my strength and I started skipping on the porch, there were days I felt down, but my daughter and husband motivated me to keep going.

It paid off and the skipping really shed off a lot of the baby fat. I also changed our family diet to help us maintain a good health, we only ate low sodium meals and tried to eat more organic foods. I am glad quarantining couldn’t break me down, never forget there is always a way around every situation. I took the opportunity to discover and improve myself personally. Be the person that makes the best out of all situations. Don’t forget to wear your mask, practice social distancing to protect yourselves and your loved ones. Until next time XOXO.