The transition to parenthood is challenging for all parents but is particularly hard on mothers who are recovering from pregnancy and birth. This recovery often takes place behind the scenes of tending to the constant needs of a new baby. This motherload can leave mothers feeling fatigued and overwhelmed, increasing the risk of postpartum anxiety and depression.
As mothers of young children ourselves and/or researchers who aim to better understand women’s postpartum journeys, we can relate to the challenges mothers face in navigating physical activity after the birth of a child. We want to share two strategies that we (and broader research findings) have found helpful to (re)learn to engage in physical activity in new motherhood.
