It officially makes a month since I’ve been back at work.

I couldn’t do it without the help of my husband and family, but also being aware of my thoughts and not letting them run wild- as anxiety typically does.

I’m sharing what helped me, and although it might look different for you if you are a teacher, or work at a restaurant but I think you can still apply most of it!

Pumping: it forces me to slow down, breathe, and connect with baby via facetime. (It also helps with letdown).

Make a pumping schedule at work and let your boss & coworkers know the schedule.

This way there are no surprises and they can plan you being gone for 20-25 min during this time period.

Relax and don’t rush.

You can’t pump out milk as effectively when you are stressed.

Podcast: Listen to an encouraging podcast on my way to work.

you would be amazed at how a simple saying that resonates with you at that time; can change everything.

My favorite ones are:

Joel Osteen who is very uplifting and positive, if you are looking for more faith based encouragement.

The mindset mentor by Rob Dial is a simple, straight forward, not too long of episodes podcast that is encouraging but also gets you in the right head space before work.

Smile: you can’t be in a bad mood when you have a smile on your face. A genuine smile.

When I go into each patients soon, I smile, even though I’m wearing a mask and they can’t see me smiling. Not only can you hear it in my voice but it instantly puts you in a more positive mindset.

When you smile there is no way you can think negatively, and patients are more receptive to you.

H2O: Drink my water! It’s been giving me much more energy lately.

It helps with milk production, better skin, and weight loss. All of which are super important to me postpartum.

It will end: if you are having a bad day, just think it will be over eventually. It doesn’t mean to dwell and count down the hours, but just knowing that you get to start over is such a relieving feeling.

When I feel overwhelmed I think about tomorrow, or seeing my babies when I get home, my next day off, or the cup of coffee I’m planning to get at lunch.

It doesn’t need to be something crazy like meditating, writing your thoughts, or reflecting.

I don’t have much time when I’m seeing 15-25 patients a day.

Hear me out mama…

It can be extremely difficult to leave your child after spending weeks with them.

Sometimes anxiety just takes over and no matter what you try you just hate being at work.

Most moms have to return to work because they can’t afford not to.

I think it’s so healthy to try to let go of the things you probably can’t control and start enjoying and surrendering yourself to your work when you are there.

It goes back to gratitude as well. Learn to be content with where you are at the moment.

It will change a lot for you, trust me.

⋒ Inna