Why Swimming is Best For Moms Experiencing Postnatal Depression

Giving birth to a child is probably the most important moment in the life of a woman. The miracle of life begins and a new chapter begins for them: Motherhood. Still, though, human psychology is extremely complicated and the implications of such an event can even have negative consequences. The well-known postnatal depression is a sad reality for a great number of new mothers. Find out why swimming is one of the best activities for moms to deal with postnatal depression.

 

The physical needs of new mothers

The immediate time following birth is full of new challenges. Of course, all new mothers should be in constant touch with their doctors to assist and advise them on the steps they should take. There is a great number of issues that need to be addressed and there should be constant support and help for mothers. Getting good rest and sleep, avoiding physical labour and drinking lots of water are essential practices for new mothers. One of the most standard postnatal effects for mothers is the multiple body changes they experience. Their whole physical system is altered and specific action is required for getting back to normal levels of weight. One of the core changes that seem to worry new mothers most, is the bodyweight change that comes when giving birth to a child. Although they, naturally, leave the hospital much lighter than when entering it, they usually wish to lose more pounds to reach the weight they had before their pregnancy. What is crucial for new mothers is that they should not rush things. The medical community suggests that they should wait for two months before trying to gradually lose weight if they are breastfeeding. What is certain is that there are numerous as well as complicated physical needs for the new mothers, that need special treatment.

 

Postnatal depression is common

Ancient Greek philosophers were the first to teach that physical and psychological health are strongly interconnected. Thus, it's not a big surprise that postnatal depression is so common worldwide. The changes that occur in female bodies during and after the period of pregnancy are vivid, especially for the women who become mothers for the first time. Furthermore, the coming of a baby brings drastic changes in the lives of women, altering the pattern of their future daily routines. Especially for Australia, data indicate that 1 in 7 women are affected by postnatal depression. It's quite striking that the respective percentage is much higher in the rest of the world. According to WHO (World Health Organisation), approximately 10% of pregnant women and 13% of women who have just given birth experience a mental disorder, primarily depression. The signs of postnatal depression are clear, varying from feelings of low mood to sleep disorders and nightmares. For the majority of women, such periods of depression are short. Getting support from their partners as well as their family and social circle is usually enough to get over it. However, if the symptoms persist, new moms should address them to a psychologist for further help.

 

Postnatal exercise is important

New mothers face a new reality. There are both physiological and psychological changes to a great scale. Because of human diversity, there is not a general formula that applies the same effects on all new mothers. No matter how common the postnatal symptoms are, different personalities require different approaches. Nonetheless, there is one undisputed piece of advice that all new mothers should take: Exercise is extremely significant for the postnatal period. It's vital for restoring muscle strength, enhancing physical endurance and improving mood. Typically, light exercise can begin soon after birth. It's a matter of the personal will and mood of new mothers when to start exercising. For some women, this can be just after a week after they have given birth while others need more time. Again, constant communication with their doctors is a prerequisite before any action is taken. Unlike weight loss practices, postnatal exercise does not affect breastfeed as long as new mothers follow a proper diet. Other published studies suggest that exercise for new mothers improves several health factors:

• Aerobic fitness
• High-density lipoprotein-cholesterol
• Insulin sensitivity

The bottom line is that postnatal exercise is indeed very important and no new mother shall neglect it.

 

Swimming is excellent for post-pregnancy

Swimming is rather ideal for new moms. Because of the sensitive nature of female bodies during their postnatal period, they should not put too much pressure on their joints. Water is the perfect environment for them to work their bodies without burdening them. Because of the buoyancy factor, there is not any substantial pressure on them, enabling a smooth and easy movement. At the same time, swimming tightens and tones the muscles that were less active during the pregnancy period. It's the optimal stepping stone for increasing fitness levels as well as losing weight. The gentle nature of water allows the fluidity of movements and light workouts to take place and prevents the danger of injuries. It should be clear until this point, that exercise for new mothers should not be just an optional choice but rather a mandatory one. It's fundamental for regaining normal fitness levels and achieving psychological stability. Postnatal depression should not be underestimated as it could lead to harmful events. The choice of swimming for dealing with postnatal depression is the most sophisticated one for an extra reason: The essence of water itself is healing. You can check a previous article about the healing qualities of water. The choice of swimming for new moms who want to fight postnatal depression is, finally, an activity that can regulate all the other important aspects of a healthy life: Appetite, sleeping habits, mood and self-esteem.