TIP #7 FOLLOW YOUR DOCTOR’S ORDERS
* Don’t stop taking meds, change the dosage or time of day, or otherwise deviate from the doctor’s instructions on your own. If you don’t take the meds prescribed AS they are prescribed, you can actually set yourself up to fail with that medication.
* If you feel a med taken at bedtime is keeping you awake, talk to you doctor about changing the time of day you take it…but do NOT do it on your own.
* Don’t decide to wean yourself off a med you think isn’t working…consult your physician and follow his/her instructions.
* Also be aware that some over the counter medications can interact badly with prescription meds…causing them to not work at their maximum capability, creating stomach upset, etc. ALWAYS tell your doctor and pharmacist what meds you’re taking, even if it’s something as simple as Tylenol.
TIP #8 HOW EXERCISE REDUCES STRESS
* Muscular relaxation and exercise reduces muscle tension. It uses up the energy released by the stress (aka “fight or flight”) response. It will calm you down relax.
* Prolonged aerobic exercise causes production of endorphins which produce feelings of euphoria and relaxation. It will calm you down so you can smile.
* Exercise improves and maintains good circulation and lowers blood pressure. It will calm you down so you can breath.
* Exercise may help to clear the mind of worrying thoughts and anxieties and can encourage more creativity and problem solving. It will calm you down so you can think.
* Exercise improves self image, appearance and tends to control weight. It will calm you down so you can be confident.
* Exercise may result in increased social contact and also provide a balance with other activities, eg. work/school, home and family responsibilities. It will calm you down, and dag-gone-it, people will like you!
TIP #9 HOW LONG DO POSTPARTUM DISORDERS LAST?
The good news is that with appropriate treatment, postpartum disorders are only temporary. Depending on the degree of severity and treatment modality, postpartum depression can last from a few months to up to a year. Long term studies have shown that, without treatment, it can take up to 3 to 4 years to recover. So if you think you may have some kind of postpartum disorder, seek help immediately.
Information provided by the Moms with a Mission - as part of the LUNA Moms Club powered by Stroller Strides (http://www.strollerstrides.net/mechanicsville). This quarter’s mission is focused on Postpartum Depression, to help raise awareness and to offer support to moms in needs. It’s important that we know where we can go for help. Visit http://www.strollerstrides.com/postpartum_depression.php for more information.
