How Exercise Saved My Life During Postpartum Depression

I know that you are scared because you can’t articulate the feelings you are experiencing, except to say it is chaos.

Photo by Austin Schmid on Unsplash

Postpartum depression wasn’t something I thought too much about during pregnancy. To be honest, I didn’t think I would experience it, as I had never experienced depression before. Little did I know, 50% of women who experience postpartum depression never experienced depression previously, but no one told me that. I wish they had. I would have had a plan. I would have done my research. I would have known postpartum depression affects 1 in 7 women. There is a severe lack of awareness among new mothers and their support systems.

Before you know it, you lose yourself in the deepest nadirs of the abyss struggling to find light. But, there is light. I found it in exercise, and it could save your life.

My Experience With Postpartum Depression

• The truth is, I should have been prepared to experience the effects of postpartum depression. While I had never experienced bouts of depression, I have battled anxiety since the age of five. Those with anxiety are more likely to experience postpartum depression.
• The symptoms of postpartum depression can start immediately, but it can also start months after giving birth. In my case, it started three…