Put your mask on first
Have you ever questioned the advice given by flight attendants at the start of every single flight: Put your oxygen on first, before you help others?
Of course not! It makes perfect sense!
Yet, mothers begin their self-sacrificing journey in pregnancy in subtle ways like forfeiting sleep for the sake of work and family. Somehow, we equate loss of sleep and wellbeing with dedication and being a good mother.
But, when we hear women talk about being a good mother, we hear things like:
- I want to be there for my child
- I want to give them what I didn’t have
- I want to teach them
- I want the best for them
- I want to love and nurture them
None of these fine things can be accomplished when we’re in a dragged out, low energy state. Each of these wonderful desires takes ENERGY and INVESTMENT.
Today, listen to the ancient wisdom that has served many generations before: Love yourself as you love others.
Take time to sleep. It’s a habit that will serve you well as a new parent.
Dr. Dawn Kingston, Canada’s leading expert on perinatal mental health and for over ten years, has been at the forefront of research on how to prevent postpartum depression. Her team has developed the HOPE App which is designed to significantly reduce prenatal anxiety and depression and directly support expectant mothers. They are studying it in a massive implementation study, one of the most ambitious projects of this type ever!
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