Little Wins for New Mamas #ZonePerfectLittleWins

I have been compensated by ZonePerfect for this post; however, I am sharing my own thoughts. All opinions are my own.

Life as a new mama has proven to be an interesting adventure. While it's definitely the most rewarding and amazing thing I've experienced in my life, it's also been tiring and intense. I'm not complaining, having little Miss Delainey is everything I've ever wanted... but some days I need a moment to myself that includes something that'll boost my energy level, my mindset, or sometimes just a little something to help me adjust my attitude. While it's easier said than done, today I want to share 7 tips to help a new mama adjust to life with a newborn... I hope these tips help at least one other new mom out, I know they definitely work for me.

1. Accept the help! I know it can be difficult to sit back and let others do things for you, especially when you have a nurturing personality... but sometimes you just HAVE to let others do things for you. After having a baby, you really need to step back and let others "do" for you. Whether you need the dishes loaded in the dishwasher, your shower scrubbed, or your laundry washed - be sure to designate duties to family members when they come over to visit your little bundle of joy!

2. Sometimes you just need to take a moment and eat something delicious and sweet. As a breastfeeding mama, I occasionally feel like I'm drained - for more reasons than just not sleeping enough. When I start feeling that low energy level I like to grab a ZonePerfect bar (I up my stash at Walmart) and give myself a moment to enjoy. Whether I'm in the car or Netflixing on the couch, it's nice to have a healthy snack to enjoy and in flavors like fudge graham or dark chocolate almond, it's easy to see why I'm such a fan! Life is all about the little wins and I like to celebrate the #ZonePerfectLittleWins!

3. Let your creativity flow. You would think creating life would be a huge creative outlet, but it isn't really the same. Whether you want to create something for your babe's nursery wall or take a moment to scribble with a marker in a coloring book - take a little bit of time and let your creative juices flow.  While your health won't necessarily improve just from coloring or getting creative, it's bound to help you keep your stress levels lower making for one happy mama!

4. Spend time skin-to-skin with baby - this isn't just for baby's benefit either. Spending time skin-to-skin with your little bundle of joy helps trigger hormones that make you happy - like Oxytocin! Plus, your giving your baby the love and affection they crave, making for one happy baby, which makes you the happiest mama on the block!

5. Don't stress about numbers! I know I personally expected weight to fall off of myself, my dear daughter to gain weight like a champion, the amount of milk I was producing to pick up, the amount of diapers I was changing to adjust... and none of these numbers adjusted the way I was hoping, at least not at first. That's when I stopped paying as close of attention and things started falling into place.

6. Don't compare yourself to your other mama friends! This is something I knew before becoming a mama, but it's hard when a handful of people you know are at the same stage in life and your wondering how they are doing so much more than you... some days it's hard for any of us to get up and get a family dressed and out the door, other days it's amazing how much you can accomplish.

7. Treat yourself. Spend a little bit of dough on yourself and grab a Starbucks on your way home from running errands or a pediatrician's appointment. Take a few hours to yourself and get a manicure and pedicure at least once a month. Allow yourself time to indulge in yourself and you'll be happier and a better mama because of it!

So tell me, are you a mama...? If so, do you reward yourself with "little wins"? I'd love to hear all about your little wins in the comments below!