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You Deserve a Break Today

New Moms Need Nurturing, Too

By Dorothy Nelson

It's a lot of effort at first, particularly when you're sleep deprived, but the mental and physical benefits of exercise do pay off. Anthony Cudjo, personal trainer and owner of FitOne Inc. in Richmond, Va., says that exercising consistently "increases your metabolic rate and your energy levels. Dedicating a few minutes a day to a balanced fitness program, using weights, cardiovascular training and cooling down techniques, will make a world of difference in your life." When you invest time in taking care of your physical health, it reminds you that your health and your body are important.

When babies are born, it is not uncommon for parents to lose touch with the world outside their home. Reading affords you the opportunity to stay connected to things that are important to you. Many women find reading feeds their brains and keeps them mentally stimulated. In addition to seeking books about subjects you enjoy, look for books on subjects about which you'd like to learn more. You might also seize the opportunity to catch up on current events, which often serves as a good "reality check" to be reminded that life isn't all about what's happening to you.

Fiction can provide great opportunities for mental escape. Colleen Butler, a Richmond, Va., mother of twins, says, "I don't have any regularly-scheduled time for myself, but I have started to use my sons' nap time not just to do laundry and cleaning, but also to do things I enjoy, like reading and doing special projects. Reading calms me and makes me feel refreshed, and this makes me a better mother." Picking up a book keeps women mentally stimulated, allowing them to maintain interests beyond those of parenting. Reading also facilitates discussion with others that is not limited to childrearing.

Want to see more?

• Marriage Postpartum: Working Through the Rough Spots
• Mommy's Day Out
• The Path to Peace: Meditation for Moms
• Giving Too Much: How to Say "No" – Guilt Free!
• Talk about it!

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