The reflex: baby's asleep, quick, we have so much to do! The zen alternative: baby's asleep, great, a break! Read while sipping tea, call a friend, indulge in a beauty ritual… and, why not, drift off to sleep.
Once rested and relaxed, you'll be more zen with the baby... and the dad!
1. You will apply makeup lightly.
The knee-jerk reaction: fatigue, lack of time, limited social life… we skip makeup. The zen alternative: if you don't have time for a sophisticated look, find two minutes for these 4 basics: BB cream, blush, lip balm, and mascara.
2. YOU WILL AVOID CHORSES
The reflex: supermarket, waiting in line at the health insurance office, ironing… We're always overwhelmed. The zen alternative: for everyday shopping, administrative tasks… we manage as much as possible online. At home, we organize ourselves to do the ironing sitting down or we delegate it to our partner.
3. YOU WILL PAMPER YOUR HAIR
The knee-jerk reaction: at best, you quickly tie them up; at worst, you get depressed watching them fall out—normal after the postpartum hormonal drop. The zen alternative: a trip to the hairdresser to refresh your cut, or even add some highlights. If the hair loss is excessive, make an appointment with your dermatologist without delay.
4. YOU WILL BUY YOURSELF SOME CLOTHES
The knee-jerk reaction: we can't fit into our pre-pregnancy clothes anymore, we can't stand the sight of our maternity clothes, but we wait until we've lost weight to indulge in a shopping spree. The zen alternative: knowing it takes 6 to 12 months to get back in shape, we treat ourselves right away at discount stores! A pretty sweater, a couple of tops, a pair of pants… It boosts both our look and our mood!
5. YOU WILL CHOOSE GENTLE GYMNASTICS
The reflex: what sport, when, how? It's not the time... The zen alternative: instead of putting pressure on ourselves, we relax in three steps.
1. You should not resume a real sport without the agreement of your doctor, once the perineal rehabilitation is completed.
2. Choose a gentle activity, without sudden movements: swimming, Pilates, yoga…
3. Don't feel like it? Take the baby to the park, carry them, climb the stairs... Perfect for burning calories and improving muscle tone.
6. YOU WILL SUGGEST A WELLNESS GIFT
The reflex: when asked what we'd like, we immediately think of the baby. The zen alternative: to parents, sisters, friends, why not frankly suggest a gift for yourself? A manicure, an in-home massage, babysitting...
7. YOU WILL RECLAIM YOUR BODY
The knee-jerk reaction: no time, no desire, no moment... The zen alternative: after giving birth, taking care of yourself and your body is the best way to regain confidence in your femininity. In the morning or evening, entrust the baby to Dad for 20 minutes to give yourself some real "me time": a bath, a manicure, a firming body treatment... And you're good to go!
8. YOU WILL DARE TO WEAR PRETTY UNDERWEAR
The knee-jerk reaction: after giving birth, libido isn't at its peak and our bodies make us self-conscious. The zen alternative: Let's reconnect with our figures with sexy lingerie! Even if we're breastfeeding, we can now find lovely sets at affordable prices, a far cry from Grandma's bras!
9. YOU WILL TREAT YOURSELF TO PLEASURE READING
The knee-jerk reaction: "I'm raising my child," "The Big Book of Motherhood," "The Art of Being a Mother"... all very useful books, but they keep us in our own little world. The zen alternative: also read things just for pleasure. The latest Anna Gavalda, a women's magazine, or some easy Sudoku puzzles... A little time for yourself!
