| Perhaps the headlines don't read that a junk food diet | | | | How Sleep Contributes to PPD |
| in pregnancy and postpartum, lack of exercise and | | | | It does not take a genius to figure out the link between |
| sleep deprivation drive new mothers insane. Research | | | | irritability and lack of sleep. New mothers, and |
| is proving that diet in pregnancy and diet after | | | | especially expectant mothers in the last few weeks of |
| pregnancy that are high in fatty, salty, sugary junk | | | | pregnancy, are often sleep deprived. |
| foods are often linked to postpartum mood disorders. | | | | Eating a diet for a healthy pregnancy and exercise |
| New mothers are prone to "baby blues", this can be | | | | can reduce irritability, mood swings and depression. |
| normal but the more severe chemical imbalances of | | | | Nothing replaces or replicates sleep. Getting the right |
| PPD and postpartum euphoric disorder are closely | | | | amounts of sleep allows the body to rejuvenate, heal |
| linked to postpartum diet, lifestyle, weight gain and other | | | | and release stress. |
| healthy lifestyle factors. | | | | When these key functions do not occur, there will be a |
| How Diet Contributes to PPD | | | | breakdown in normal body function. Most often, this |
| A healthy diet for pregnancy has long been promoted | | | | break reveals itself in mood disorders which can, if |
| as the very best way to grow a vibrant bouncing | | | | sleeplessness persists, develop into PPD. |
| baby. The effects of healthy eating on expectant | | | | How Exercise Contributes to PPD |
| mothers have also been examined and explained | | | | Exercise is the great secret weapon to vanquish |
| thoroughly. | | | | depression with a one-two combination. First of all, |
| However, the benefits to mom of a nutritious diet in | | | | exercise increases the feel good chemicals and |
| pregnancy have been mostly focused on the body in | | | | hormones in the body. Sweating and stumbling on stair |
| terms of keeping it strong and energetic in order to | | | | climbers or the treadmill might not feel too good in the |
| meet the added stress of gestation. In years past, few | | | | moment, but serotonin levels are increased with every |
| experts preached the absolute necessity to eat well | | | | exertion made. |
| for a mother's mental wellbeing. | | | | To achieve the best results, exercise must become a |
| The brain chemistry is extremely sensitive. The | | | | regular habit. This keeps the levels of serotonin steady. |
| hormonal changes in pregnancy can throw this | | | | Exercise also leads to less weight gain during |
| precarious balance off, resulting in depression in varying | | | | pregnancy, which is a known contributor to depression |
| degrees. Certain nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, | | | | disorders. This second benefit can be displaced if diet |
| Vitamin Bs and Vitamin D are shown to support brain | | | | in pregnancy doesn't contain healthy portion sizes of |
| function, keeping these chemicals happily in balance. | | | | the right foods. |