Nothing changes your body as much as asking it to play host to another human for months and then going through the stress, excitment and whirlwind experience of childbirth.
Parenting on Female First
After such huge biological, hormonal and physical changes, how can you start to get comfortable again in your own skin?
Dr Lisa Turner, specialist in human transformation and evolution and an expert in personal development at Psycademy, shares five tips to help you embrace your post-pregnancy body.
1. Don't Compare to How You Used to Look
After you’ve given birth, you may be tempted to keep looking back at photos of yourself before you got pregnant and try to get your body shape back to that as quickly as possible. All this will do is make you feel bad. Instead just focus on the good points you still have.
2. Don’t Compare Yourself to Others
With so many glossy magazines telling women what they should and should not look like, it’s hard enough for women to have body confidence even if they’ve never given birth. With constant celebrity snaps showing women back at a size 8 just 6 weeks after giving birth, it’s no wonder that many women find it hard to feel confident again after having a baby. Instead just learn to be ok with how your body looks now. You’re YOU. Be proud of that.
3. Learn What You Look Good in Again
It’s not unusual for your body shape to change. Rather than pretending it hasn’t and carrying on wearing what you used to wear, learn what looks good on you now. Get help from a stylist if necessary.
4. Move the Focus From Your Body to Your Whole Being
You HAVE a body, but you are NOT your body. You are much more than that. Real confidence comes from knowing that no matter what you look like, you are a good, valuable and lovable person. Cultivate this inner confidence, but focus on your other attributes and talents.
Learn to let go of any sadness about how your body or even your life might have changed. After childbirth, your sense of self changes and you might not feel as free and carefree as you did, which means that there can be a few adjustments to your new role, and life.
5. Take Care of Your Body
Often women stop taking good care of their health and beauty regime after giving birth. Naturally a lot of energy and attention is directed to your baby, but always remember you are still a woman. Take time for exercise, eat well, get as much sleep as you can, and remember your beauty regime. It will do wonders for your confidence.