You waited nine long months for this precious bundle to arrive, and now that it has, you don`t have a single second to yourself. Oh, what you would give for one leisurely shower or a single hot meal! Yep, motherhood is lots of work and lots of stress; no matter how blessed you feel to have that beautiful baby in your life. The good news is that there are ways to manage your new mommy stress, and even feel a bit pampered in the process. After all, if Mom`s not happy, nobody`s happy, so keep your entire household on a pleasant keel with these stress-busting tips.

Exercise

It may feel like the last thing that you want to do after caring for a baby day and night, but exercise is by far the best way to tame the tension that motherhood brings. You don`t have to prepare for a marathon; a simple walk around the block in the evenings after your husband comes home from work can do the trick. Some new moms also find that strength training can relieve the stress and help to get the pregnancy-ridden body back into shape. Stretching and yoga are as good for the mind as they are for the body. Talk to your doctor about an exercise program that will be the safest and most effective for you after your baby is born.

Solitude

After waiting all that time for your baby, it`s hard to believe that you would ever want to spend time away from her. But time to yourself is necessary if you want to keep the stress at bay and your spirits high. What hobbies or activities did you enjoy most before your little one came along? Read a book, knit a sweater or indulge in some scrapbooking. Carve out some time in your day to enjoy your favorite activities again, and your mind and spirit will thank you.

Support

Contrary to what overachieving moms and those without children tell you, new mothers cannot handle the load alone. You need help to adjust to the changing role of motherhood and the increased work that is required. If your husband is not offering an extra hand in the evenings, explain what he could do to make the time a bit easier for you. Perhaps it is minding the baby while you take a short walk, or cooking dinner so you can get your feet up for a few minutes a day. Friends and family can also help to ease the burden in those early days by bringing over a meal or throwing in a load of wash for you. If offers of help don`t come, don`t be shy about asking for what you need. Most people are happy to oblige once they know how they can help.

A new baby is a joyous event indeed, but moms can quickly become exhausted and overwhelmed if they don`t take a bit of time for themselves. Stress is not conducive to good parenting, so learn to minimize yours with a few simple steps that will give you the support you need to survive those early weeks. Say goodbye to stress and hello to happy, healthy motherhood!

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