The Grove
Self-Care Strategies That Actually Work for New Mothers
This guide offers practical self-care strategies for new mothers, emphasizing both physical and mental wellbeing. From micro-moments of mindfulness to professional mental health support, these approaches acknowledge the realities of life with a newborn while prioritizing a mother's needs. Remember: caring for yourself isn't optional—it's essential for sustainable, healthy motherhood.
Beyond Soulmates: Cultivating Connections That Complete You
Explore why we shouldn't expect romantic partners to fulfill all our social needs. Challenges the "main character" mindset of modern society, emphasizing the importance of maintaining diverse friendships and showing up consistently for others. Learn why building a balanced social network leads to richer, more fulfilling relationships.
Embracing Imperfect Action
Small discomforts can feel overwhelming, but they don't define our reality. Building emotional resilience requires pushing through off days rather than retreating. While society often encourages avoiding discomfort to "protect your peace," growth often comes from leaning into discomfort. Change happens through action—especially imperfect action. By recognizing that current emotions don’t predict future feelings, we can reshape our experiences and foster growth.
Emotional Flexibility: Bending without Breaking
A candid reflection from our practice manager Shelli Armstrong on developing emotional flexibility through life's challenges. When comparing herself to her mother's seemingly effortless household management while she recovers from surgery, Shelli discovers a powerful truth: like an acrobat's poses, life's demands require us to bend—but we're not meant to hold these positions forever.
Friends Don't Flake: Rebuilding Adult Connection
When we constantly flake on friends and justify it with "self-care," we're fueling an epidemic of disconnection. While setting boundaries matters, we've twisted this concept to avoid vulnerability and meaningful relationships. Good friendships require showing up, being honest about our capacity, and matching others' energy. It's time to stop ghosting and start nurturing the connections that truly bring us peace.
From Overwhelm to Intention: Making Space for Yourself as a New Parent
Parenthood reshapes identity, often leaving new parents feeling overwhelmed and disconnected. Reclaiming a sense of self involves small steps like scheduling self-care micro-moments, reimagining hobbies, setting realistic expectations, leaning on support networks, and engaging in reflective practices. Embracing your evolving identity with intention can transform this transition into an opportunity for growth.
The Hidden Weight of Perinatal Anxiety: Supporting Mothers Beyond the Surface
Perinatal anxiety deeply affects mothers' lives, influencing infant feeding, relationships, and daily routines. This post explores these impacts and offers actionable strategies and downloadable resources to help mothers navigate anxiety during this transformative period.
The Vital Role of Postpartum Doulas in Recovery
A postpartum doula offers emotional, physical, and informational support to new mothers during their recovery and adjustment period. From assisting with breastfeeding challenges and light household tasks to providing education and partner guidance, postpartum doulas are invaluable in easing the transition into motherhood. Discover how their compassionate care can help new moms navigate this life-changing time with greater confidence.
Gratitude Isn’t About Ignoring Your Pain: Finding Balance This Thanksgiving
This Thanksgiving, gratitude isn’t about ignoring your pain. It’s about making space for all your emotions—letting them exist alongside each other. By starting small, like reflecting on peaceful moments or acknowledging your own resilience, you can practice gratitude in a way that feels authentic to you. It’s about recognizing your growth, appreciating what you’ve overcome, and being gentle with yourself.
Bonding with Your Newborn
Bonding with your newborn can take time and isn't always instant. Feeling detached or guilty is common but not a reflection of your abilities as a mother. Embrace the gradual process of building a connection, engage in small bonding moments, and seek support if needed. This blog post is designed to help you reframe some of your deepest worries about bonding with your newborn.
Battling Perinatal OCD: Recognizing the Signs and Finding Support
Perinatal OCD is an often overlooked condition that can occur during pregnancy or the first year postpartum. It involves persistent, intrusive thoughts, usually about harming the baby, which lead to compulsive behaviors like excessive cleaning or checking. These behaviors offer only temporary relief, trapping mothers in a cycle of anxiety and stress. For example, Bethany, a new mother, obsessively monitors air quality and cleanliness, isolating herself and feeling overwhelmed. Recognizing the signs and seeking specialized help is crucial. At Roots & Branches, therapists provide support to break the cycle of perinatal OCD.
Insight into Faith Transitions
Navigating a faith transition can be emotionally challenging, impacting your mental health through uncertainty, loss of community, and identity shifts. Therapy provides a safe space to explore these feelings, process grief, and manage cognitive dissonance. It can help you build resilience, find new support systems, and align with your evolving beliefs.
When Friendships Fade: Navigating the Grief of Letting Go
The end of a close friendship can be as painful as the death of a loved one. The emotional distance can feel overwhelming, with feelings of guilt and heartache amplifying the grief. Understanding this loss as part of life's evolving seasons can help in processing these complex emotions and finding healing.
Understanding Baby Blues vs. Postpartum Depression
Navigating the emotional challenges after childbirth can be tough. While the baby blues are common and usually short-lived, postpartum depression is more severe and persistent. Roots & Branches offers specialized support for new mothers facing these issues. Contact us for compassionate care to help you find balance and well-being during this transformative time.
The Importance of Support in Mental Health Recovery
Supporting someone with a mental illness is crucial to their recovery, offering emotional and practical help while respecting their independence. At Roots & Branches, we recognize the importance of strong support systems in overcoming trauma and mental health challenges. As we observe National Recovery Month, remember that your compassion and understanding can make a significant difference in someone's healing journey.
Suicide Prevention: A Guide for Caring Partners and Parents
Suicide rates in Utah are alarmingly high, with youth especially at risk. This guide emphasizes the importance of recognizing warning signs, offering compassionate support, and accessing professional help. Parents and partners play a crucial role in prevention by staying vigilant, encouraging help-seeking, and creating supportive environments. By promoting awareness, reducing stigma, and ensuring access to care, we can help save lives and bring hope to those in need.
When Words Fail: How to Seek Support for Mental Health Struggles
Navigating difficult conversations about mental health can be challenging, especially during deeply personal struggles like loss or a health crisis. Choose trusted individuals who provide genuine support, and don't hesitate to set boundaries if needed. Embrace the full range of your emotions, and consider therapeutic techniques like mindfulness or journaling to reframe your mindset. When loved ones can’t offer the understanding you need, seeking professional support can be a crucial step toward finding stability and self-compassion. Prioritize your well-being by reaching out to the right resources.
Feeding Your Baby with Perinatal Anxiety: Tips and Support for New Mothers
Feeding your baby with perinatal anxiety can be challenging, whether breastfeeding or formula feeding. Anxiety can heighten worries about feeding choices and impact your experience. Both methods are valid and provide essential nourishment. Seeking support from lactation consultants or mental health professionals can help manage stress and ensure a positive feeding experience. Prioritize your well-being alongside your baby's needs.
Understanding Dysphoric Milk Ejection Reflex (D-MER)
Breastfeeding can bring unexpected challenges like Dysphoric Milk Ejection Reflex (D-MER), causing brief, intense negative emotions just before milk let down. D-MER is linked to hormonal changes, not psychological issues or disliking breastfeeding. Symptoms include sadness, dread, and anxiety, lasting 30 seconds to two minutes. It's distinct from postpartum depression but can occur alongside it. Manage D-MER with skin-to-skin contact, relaxation techniques, and support. For more info, visit d-mer.org or consult your healthcare provider.
Redefining Therapy Spaces: From Safe to Brave
In therapy, we introduce the concept of "brave spaces" - environments that prioritize safety while acknowledging the inevitability of discomfort in healing. In individual therapy, brave spaces encourage you to confront difficult emotions, challenge unhelpful thought patterns, and process trauma. Your therapist creates this space by supporting you through uncomfortable moments, recognizing them as signs of growth. While therapy can be challenging, it's in these brave spaces that true healing occurs. By embracing discomfort and facing your challenges head-on, you're taking courageous steps towards not just surviving, but thriving in your mental health journey.