8 Healing beauty rituals to help with postpartum depression

1/8
Treat yourself to a blowout
It's hard being physically away from your baby, we get it; so schedule the appointment about one or two months after the birth of the baby, as soon as you're able to leave her side in the hands of someone you trust for a few hours. Choose a salon close to your home, if it helps! Trust us; having a fresh 'do makes you feel like yourself again and the pampering can do wonders in lifting your spirits.
2/8
Invest in a cheek or lip tint
Let's face it: the days of having the luxury to properly preen yourself in the mornings are over (at least for now!). As a new mom to a newborn, you'll have to be a lot more economical with how you spend your time - but that doesn't mean you have to leave the house barefaced. Invest in a cheek tint (which you can also use on your lips) to inject some colour back into your face, as well as a hydrating concealer to brighten up your under-eye area after those sleepless nights. Trust us: this fuss-free and quick routine barely takes you five minutes and will have you looking fresh, put-together and overall feeling a lot better.
3/8
Get a massage
We're not just talking about massages here. In fact, any forms of physical relaxation, like a chiropractic or acupuncture session, can really ease the tension in your body and mind, and goes a long way in improving your overall sense of well-being.
4/8
Treat yourself to a mani-pedi
Much like how a fresh haircut can make you feel better about yourself, taking the time to get your nails done is a great way to pamper yourself. Now, this is not just about the vanity of wanting groomed, manicured nails: rather, taking the time to schedule something just for yourself sends a message that you still value you, despite all the changes happening in your life.
5/8
Enjoy a hot bath
New moms don't always feel like they have time to shower (can you relate?) Between all the breastfeeding and diaper-changing and the generally whirlwind of adjusting to being a new mother, a shower somehow ranks somewhat low on our list of priorities. It might sound obvious, but a nice warm bath or shower session gives you some time to yourself and makes you feel like, well, yourself again. And no - we're not talking about that quick 1-minute wash down; prepare a nice hot bath, with candles and perhaps play a few of your favourite tunes that you enjoyed pre-motherhood, and feel all the anxiety and tension ebb away.
6/8
Switch to nourishing, richer moisturisers
Remember that pregnancy glow and facial dew from your pregnancy days? Well, chances are you might lose that postpartum. After all, nursing your precious newborn can drain up to 30fluid ounces from your body per day. Switch to a gentle, hydrating cleanser and a rich moisturiser to keep your skin feeling and looking nourished.
7/8
Sleep
If there's anything we know about the human body and mind, is that sleep can cure a multitude of ills. It's not always easy to find time to with a newborn, but get a family member to watch the baby while you name. It does take a village, after all.
8/8
Carve out ‘me’ time
Remember those things you enjoyed doing on your own pre-baby? There's no reason why you should stop doing them. Sure, new moms find it difficult to juggle mealtimes, nursing, eating - even sleep - let alone find time for themselves. However, discipline yourself to do so. Bear in mind that taking care of yourself only makes you a more whole version of you, and therefore a better mother to your precious little one.

Motherhood is a beautiful thing; but we’re not mincing our words when we say the first few weeks of your journey as a new mother is an emotional roller coaster. Between the lack of sleep and both physical and hormonal changes your body is going through (on top of adjusting to caring for your newborn) – it’s no smooth ride.

If you find yourself feeling down, isolated, unsupported and completely ‘not yourself’, trust us: you’re not alone. Postpartum depression affects 1 in 7 of new mothers, and is – we repeat – not a sign of weakness. Unlike the baby blues, postpartum depression rarely disappears on its own accord. How long it lasts and how to best cope with it differs from mother-to-mother.

While some mothers resort to medication, we find that talking to someone about it and indulging in a little self-care helps. It might not necessarily rid you of it, but certainly goes a long way in helping you ride over the bad days.

Take the time to properly take care of you (for a change), with a few self-pampering and beauty rituals we swear by to tide over postpartum depression. P.S. They might seem simple – but truly, it’s the little things you do that make the toughest days a little brighter. Browse them in the gallery above!

Sarah Khan

Photos: Getty Images

‘Perfect Mom’: Could Instagram affect postpartum depression among new mothers?

Self-Discovery: How not to lose your sense of identity in motherhood

The ‘Fifth Trimester’: 9 Tips to successfully adjust back to work post-baby

Chinese Horoscope predictions from 1 to 7 February