Today I want to share postpartum wisdom from my twin sister, Hannah! As an Ayurveda Health Counselor, she teaches me so much about health, daily rhythm, and living a vibrant life. Check out the coupon for a consult with her below, as well as her Vitality Circle for women who are ready to let go of what isn't working, embody their potential, and live a life of THRIVE!
______________________________________ 3 Keys to A Happy Postpartum by Hannah Levin
Postpartum is a delicate time in a woman's life. The impact of birth, isn't quickly overcome. In our modern culture, many women give birth and then "return to life as usual" within weeks, if not days, after. Many women go back to work or expect themselves to keep up with everything in their household and family life. This is quite unfortunate! Ayurveda is an ancient system hailing from India. It is a system of healing with food, lifestyle changes, and herbs. The Ayurvedic perspective on postpartum is very different from our modern post-industrial one. Ayurveda is based on 5 elements: Space, Air, Fire, Water and Earth. Birth is a big transformation from the baby being a part of the mother's body, leaving it, and becoming a separate being on its own. When we give birth, the elements of Space and Air are elevated by the fast shift from being pregnant to mama and baby's bodies parting. If we don't calm and ground the Air and Space elements after birth, by bringing in more Earth and Water elements, we set ourselves up for ongoing deep depletion. Ideally, we would have 40 days after the birth to rest in bed with our baby, have food brought to us and be massaged with oil each day. Doesn't that sound luxurious? This is what the Ayurvedic texts recommend for postpartum to nourish the mother and baby on their journey together. Although most of don't have lives that allow us 40 days to simply rest, there are some simple tips from Ayurveda that can help you rebuild, replenish and rejuvenate after birth. Here are three tips to get you started with implementing Ayurveda in your postpartum care: 1. Eat warm, cooked, mushy foods that contain healthy amounts of beneficial fat (ghee, coconut oil, avocado, or olive oil). Some examples are soups, stews, kitchari, or simple steamed veggies and rice with fat added before eating. These foods are easy to digest and assimilate. Asking less of your digestive system allows your body to heal more quickly. Making sure to eat a very large lunch will help sustain your energy throughout the day. Don't skimp on food mid-day! These tips support you in building earth and water elements and taking advantage of eating well when the digestive fire is the strongest in the middle of the day. 2. Massage your own body daily with sesame oil. This is deeply nourishing and calming for the nervous system. Massage also helps to keep the lymph drained, awaken cellular intelligence, and connect you with your changing body in a nourishing way. Sesame oil is the best for calming Air and Space elements as it is warm and grounding. 3. Eat ghee dates. This Ayurvedic recipe is a real treat for postpartum moms. Dates are deeply nourishing for the female reproductive system. Combined with a beneficial fat, the sweetness and regenerative power penetrate more deeply into the tissues layers of the body.
What this all comes down to is refilling your inner cup of abundant energy, vitality and immunity. We would do well to take note of how far we tend to stray from deep nourishment after birth. Postpartum depression, adrenal fatigue and thyroid issues are on the rise as women are not allowing themselves to slow down and recalibrate their lives once their baby arrives. Use these tips from Ayurveda for yourself or share them with a pregnant friend so that we can live in a world full of Mamas who are vibrant in their Life Beyond Birth!
Life Beyond Birth provides support for expectant parents, and new babies & their families, online and in-person. Find a class or contact Molly at www.lifebeyondbirth.com.