Postpartum : Care Ritual’s
Ritual : (noun) —
a solemn ceremony consisting of a series of actions performed according to a prescribed order.
Self care rituals were important to me pre-baby, but I think they are even more important now that she is here. Its just a lot harder to get them in! I’m sharing a few things that I try to squeeze in through my busy days that give me a moment to catch my breath, and feel taken cared of in the midst of caring for my girl.
Act + Acre Scalp Detox
I heard about this from @MelissaWoodHealth. She incorporates in in her weekly routine and has since she had her last baby almost a year ago. Act and Acre is a cold pressed system of 3 products that detox your scalp, a perfect aid in managing that PP hair loss. I am unsure of what kind of hair loss I might be in for as I am only 8 weeks PP, but I am hoping to stay ahead of it. Scalp health is everything for new growth!
You’ll need these three products:
Step 1 : Act + Acre Scalp Oil
Step 2 : Act + Acre Hair Cleanse
Step 3 : Act + Acre Hair Conditioner
Massage oil in to scalp (a little goes a LONG way!), leave on 20-30 minutes, massage Hair Cleanse into hair, leave on for 5-10 minutes, rinse all. Finish with 5-10 minutes of the conditioner, rinse.
Infrared Sauna
I am so fortunate to have access to one of these powerful detoxing machines! Infrared detoxes you from in inside out. I had a routine of using the sauna 1-2x a week pre baby, and I was so sad to have to take a break. 45 minutes in the Red Room helps with muscle recovery, joint health, cellulite, metabolism, heart health, detoxification in the blood system, and so so much more. Come see us at The Space and book a session. We offer several different size packages to suit your needs.
Morning Shower
I have always been a “wash the day off” shower at night person, but lately, I find a quick shower in the morning is rejuvenating. After a long night of getting up, feeding, taking care of baby, a shower in the morning helps me wake up, and feel ready for the day. Sometimes I’ll do hydrotherapy in the shower too. Alternating the water temp between hot and cool, 30 second cycles, reversing the blood flow to invigorate and flush.
MCT Coffee
Last winter, Ryan and I discovered Butter Powder. We wanted the caffeine without crash, the higher calorie burn rate, and to ultimately cut down on how much coffee we were drinking. One scoop of the butter powder in a cup, blended, it was like a thick yummy latte. One cup in the morning kept me going throughout the day, I wouldn’t have a crash, or crave that 4p cup. Once the season changed and it got warmer, the butter coffee felt a little too heavy. Recently we switched to MCT (coconut medium chain triglycerides) oil and it’s a great summer alternative. You must blend this into your coffee so it emulsifies! Click here for the creamier Butter Powder and here for our favorite MCT.
Dry Brushing
I love dry brushing so much! It feels like an instant detox. By brushing circular motions along the skin towards the heart, you aid in the draining of your lymph helping to increase circulation, helping build new collagen in your skin, decrease inflammation, and so much more. Click here for my favorite brush.
How to DB :
Begin brushing circular motions on the tops of the hands, working the way up the arms. Brush downward motions top to bottom in the armpit, and so gently down the neck.
Same motion starting the tops of the feet, and moving upwards the leg. Making sure to get in the tender areas (groin, back of the legs, places bacteria can get stagnant!).
Starting at waistline, use brush to sweep the skin upwards along waistline. Getting as much of your back as you can.
Lastly, brush down the tops of the shoulders, over the chest towards the heart.
Electrolytes
This is one that doesn’t take but two seconds to do and you can do literally anywhere! I had a hard enough time drinking enough water pre baby, and now with breastfeeding, my body needs water more than ever. Jigsaw electrolyte packets are a godsend! I used to drink them when I first started teaching Hot Vinyasa a few years ago, at first they taste very lemon/lime with a hint of salt, but now I crave them. Taste like a healthy lemonade. Truly life savers when you forget to drink water like me! Get the on the go packets here.
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These are just a few of the things I am incorporating into my daily routine to have moments of check in. To make sure I am taking care of me along the way! Its hard to prioritize what you need as a new mama, but I think we lose sight of doing so through the busyness of managing all the things. One thing I am having to learn is that its ok for me to ask for help to have a moment to check in. If we aren’t good, how can we take the best care of our babes?
We need care more than ever as we nurture, care, and juggle it all.
xo
