UPDATE UPDATE

Wow, after several years ive decided to try and resurrect this little blog of mine. I recently told a friend I missed having a place to write. Then out of nowhere a blog "challenge" if you will came about on a public group im in. So here I am and I'm going to try and keep this thing going. Bare with me as I make changes and update content. Feel free to sift through my old posts, you just might learn something new about me....

Friday, April 16, 2010

10 Minutes To Heal

I am slowly learning how to cope with my postpartum depression.  I'm trying not to let it get the best of me, but sometimes it does.  Some days I just can't handle it.  When Aiden is super fussy, or won't nap.  When Kris leaves dishes out instead of putting them in the dishwasher, therefore ruining my "clean" house.  I feel like my meds run out before the end of the day.  I feel good most mornings, but come dinner time I start to feel on edge, irritated, stressed all over again.  I am going to the Dr. again in a couple weeks and I think we will need to up my dosage of meds to help it get me through a complete day. 
I am learning that when I start to feel overwhelmed I need to take 10 minutes for myself.  10 minutes doesn't seem like a lot, but oh man is it ever making a big difference for me!  For example, I was feeling like the house was cluttered and I couldn't handle it, I just couldn't relax.  So I took time during each commercial break of the show we were watching (Biggest Loser) and each break I spent 2 minutes picking up something.  The kitchen, the dishes, clearing off the coffee table and living room floor, putting up the laundry that was folded.  Within a few commercial breaks I felt like the house was much cleaner and I was able to sit and relax.  Last night I started to have a breakdown when Aiden was getting super fussy fighting bedtime.  I took a 10 minute bubble bath with candles to just calm myself down.  It helped a ton, and what do you know, Kris had gotten Aiden down to sleep by the time I got out of the tub! 

This morning I am home with Aiden alone.  We had a little playtime, some cartoons on tv, but then he was not letting me put him down for a nap.  So by the time I finally got him down, my stress level was up.  I took 10 minutes and did some boxing in my living room to burn off some steam and then took a nice shower.  I decided to take 10 minutes (yes, it takes this long...) to dry and straighten my hair after I got dressed.  It's amazing what a little workout, and a little time to make myself feel "pretty" can do.  I am now calm and collected and waiting for Aiden to wake up!  Now this afternoon doesn't seem so daunting.  I can handle it - 10 minutes at a time!

I guess the key to recovery is one day at a time.  Not just one day though, 10 minutes at a time for me.  If I can get through 10 minutes of stress and then let myself relax again I will be okay.  I just have to keep reminding myself that I am feeling much better, much more often, than I was just a few weeks ago.  Who knows how long it will be until I really feel great, but I am slowly learning some tricks to make myself feel more normal.  To feel like I am not going crazy and I can really handle this.  It's not easy everyday, but it's easier, and that is improvement. 

3 comments:

Cheryl said...

Congrats for realizing that you need to make time for yourself. I had mild PPD. Meds are a beautiful thing. ;)
Hang in there and know that you are not alone!

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

I am so sorry you are having such a tough time. I remember how very hard it was at the beginning. You are not the only one to go through this...it WILL get better!

The Shavers Family said...

I'm so glad this is working for you; I know as a parent without any additional obstacles (like PPD), I often have to take little 10 minute breaks and need to break down those really rough days into just making it through hour by hour. :)

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