Postpartum Anxiety & the Path Back to Myself
After I had my daughter, I was surprised by how hard the postpartum season hit me.
I had a healthy pregnancy, a beautiful home birth, and a thriving baby girl. Everything went well on paper. But internally, I was unraveling. My anxiety was high, my energy was low, and I just didn’t feel like I was recovering. And for a moment, I thought maybe this was just how motherhood started.
Before pregnancy, I had been working toward a vegan diet. It worked for me at the time, and during my first trimester, I craved mostly fruits, vegetables, and plant-based protein. But then I wanted gravy—white gravy on everything. My body wanted meat, with lots of gravy. By the third trimester, I was eating more animal protein than I had in a while. My body needed it.
After my daughter was born, I tried to return to a more plant-based diet. But I felt pale, anxious, and exhausted. My midwife told me I needed rest (she was absolutely right). But it wasn’t until my daughter’s pediatrician looked at me and asked how I was doing that things started to shift. I told him I wasn’t feeling like myself. He asked about my diet, and when I explained what I was eating, he gently suggested that my body might need more protein, especially after blood loss and the massive hormonal shift from pregnancy to breastfeeding.
That’s when I was introduced to the paleo diet. Within days of making the switch, I felt more grounded, more nourished, like I was finally healing. It was a wake-up call: I needed to stop ignoring what my body was asking for in pursuit of what I thought I “should” be doing.
But nutrition was only one part of the puzzle.
I struggled with anxiety again when I began weaning. Hormonal shifts can be relentless—and they don’t care if you’re trying your best. I learned to stop pushing myself. I used to think nap time was the perfect opportunity to get everything done, but eventually I surrendered. I started napping with my daughter, choosing rest over hustle. And it changed everything.
I also learned the power of movement. Stretching, especially gentle yoga, helped me reconnect to my body. One of my favorite discoveries was Sara Beth Yoga on YouTube. Her videos made it easy to be consistent. A short 10-minute stretch in the morning gave me clarity, peace, and just enough time to feel like I had taken care of myself before taking care of anyone else.
Meditation became another anchor for me. It didn’t need to be long or fancy. Sometimes just a few deep breaths or a quiet moment with my eyes closed was enough. These were tiny practices, but they were my lifeline.
And of course—massage. I went from getting regular bodywork before motherhood to only once every six months. But when I committed to getting back into massage and chiropractic care, my body found comfort again. Once I was out of pain and more aligned, I finally felt ready to exercise. Moving my body in a stronger, more intentional way helped me feel capable again. Clearer. Lighter.
Exercise is still the routine I struggle with most. But now, as I move into perimenopause, I’m learning (again) just how essential it is—not just for strength, but for mental clarity and emotional balance.
If You’re in It Right Now…
If you’re in the fog of postpartum or struggling with anxiety that feels like it’s weighing on your chest, I see you. And you’re not alone.
You don’t need a perfect plan or perfect habits. You just need one step. One breath. One gentle thing that brings you back to yourself.
For me, that looked like:
Adding protein
Napping with my baby
Finding yoga I actually liked
Deep breathing (even just a few)
Massage and chiropractic
Accepting that exercise will never be perfect—but still trying
I’m still learning. Still figuring things out. Still staying up too late some nights for a sliver of quiet. But I also know now that rest, nourishment, and support matter more than I ever realized.
And I want you to know that you deserve them too.
With Care,
Lindy
