Parenting can turn your world completely upside down. One second you’re strutting around like you’ve cracked the code to mornings, and the next you’re drowning in diapers, nuking your coffee for round three, and genuinely questioning if Thursdays are even real.
If you’re deep in the trenches of new parent life—hey, I get it. You’re pulling off way more than you give yourself credit for, even if it just feels like controlled chaos. Second, let’s talk about you for a sec. Yep, you. Because somewhere between changing onesies and Googling “why won’t my baby nap,” you still matter too.
So here are a few simple, doable wellness hacks that have helped me (and a bunch of my friends) feel a bit more like a human again—without needing to book a retreat in the mountains.
Start Small. Seriously.
There’s this weird pressure that self-care has to be fancy or involve a whole routine with candles, journals, and an oat milk smoothie. But honestly? Some days, brushing your teeth and putting on clean clothes feels like a win.
What’s worked for me:
- Sitting down with my tea while it’s still hot (yes, really).
- Taking three deep breaths while the kettle boils.
- Walking barefoot in the backyard just to feel the ground under me.
- Saying “nope” to things that aren’t urgent.
No big commitment. Just little moments that remind your body, “Hey, I’m still here.”
Breathe Like You Mean It
Honestly, when I first got told about this breathing thing, I rolled my eyes so hard I nearly saw my brain. But, wow, it actually works? Like, when you’re running on fumes, nerves frazzled, and your kid’s wailing at 3 a.m.—just pausing to breathe, properly, can keep you from losing your mind. I do it everywhere: hovering over the stove, slumped on the couch, or half-asleep with a baby glued to me.
Here’s my go-to: inhale for four counts, hold for four, then slooowly exhale for six. Do it a couple times. Not saying it’ll fix your life, but yeah, it smooths out the panic. Makes things a touch less bonkers, at least for a minute.
Create Some Kind of Rhythm
When the baby’s schedule is all over the place (or non-existent), you kind of need something to help ground the day.
For me, that’s been:
- A morning coffee with music playing (even if it’s Wiggles after).
- Stepping outside at least once before lunch, even if it’s just to check the mail.
- Doing a mini tidy-up after the baby goes to bed so I don’t wake up to chaos.
These little “anchor” points help me feel less like the day is running me—and more like I’ve got my hands on the wheel.
Prepare for Those Wildcard Moments
Parenting comes with surprise challenges. Like, surprise! A weird rash. Or surprise! Someone face-planted the coffee table. And when it’s you who’s in pain (hello, toothache), scrambling to find help is the last thing you want to be doing.
Having the number for an emergency dentist Brisbane saved on my phone gave me peace of mind. It’s not something you think of until you really need it—and then you're glad you did.
Let Go of the Pressure to Be “On”
Look, your house doesn’t have to be Instagram-ready. And your meals don’t need to be colourful, organic masterpieces every night. If it’s cereal for dinner and the laundry’s been in the machine since yesterday, welcome to the club.
You’re not failing. You’re parenting.
This is the season for “good enough.” The more I let go of trying to do it all perfectly, the more space I had to actually enjoy the small wins—like getting everyone out of the house without forgetting something major.
Ask for Help—The Kind You Actually Need
It took me longer than I’d like to admit to realise that asking for help doesn’t make me weak. Whether it’s a friend dropping off food or getting support with the baby so I could nap—saying “yes” to help felt like a deep breath I didn’t know I needed.
Some days, it was just knowing there were options for baby care near me if I needed backup. Even just knowing the support existed made me feel less alone.
Eat Something That’ll Keep You Going
Some days, I straight-up forget food is a thing—next thing I know, I’m shuffling around like an extra from The Walking Dead. When you’re running on empty and running late, skipping meals almost feels like a sport. But, um, your body’s not a Tesla; it needs actual fuel, not just caffeine and vibes. Doesn’t have to be fancy—nobody’s judging your sad toast with half-smashed avocado or that yogurt you found in the back of the fridge. Toss some fruit on it, call it a day. Or just blend whatever’s left and call it a smoothie.
Basically: don’t overthink it. Stash snacks everywhere. Your future self (the one not hangry) will thank you. And drink some water, too. I started putting a full bottle by my bed each night because I kept forgetting during the day.
Be Kind to Your Mind
Being a new parent messes with your head in ways nobody really warns you about. You go from being an individual to being “someone’s parent” overnight. It’s easy to lose sight of yourself in the fog.
One thing that helped me was reminding myself to check in—not just physically, but mentally too. This blog on mental wellness has a few gentle steps I found helpful when I needed a soft nudge back to myself.
Hey, you’re still hanging on in there—probably doing way better than your brain’s giving you credit for, honestly.
Balance? Forget the whole “everything’s perfectly lined up” nonsense. That’s just a myth. Real talk: balance is more like figuring out what keeps your feet on the ground when life’s just throwing spaghetti at the wall. Sometimes it’s sneaking off for ten minutes of peace, sometimes it’s chugging a scalding mug of coffee, and sometimes it’s just, I dunno, remembering to inhale.
You’ve got this. Or hey, maybe today you totally don’t—and that’s fine too. There’s always tomorrow to take another swing at it.