The Hidden Heart: How Postpartum Emotions Shape Your Physical Health

As a new mother you probably imagined motherhood as a time of deep joy, bonding, and fulfillment. And it is—but that’s not the whole picture. What no one tells you is just how much this journey will demand from you, emotionally and physically. It’s not just exhaustion or overwhelm; your heart, both emotionally and physically, carries the weight of this transformation in ways you might not expect.

The Unseen Weight: Emotional Stress and Your Heart

Stress doesn’t just live in your mind—it lives in your body, too. When you feel emotionally overwhelmed, your heart feels it, literally. Chronic stress, anxiety, and postpartum depression increase inflammation, raise blood pressure, and even change the structure of your heart over time. 

Studies show that 1 in 7 mothers experience postpartum depression, while up to 20% struggle with postpartum anxiety. And here’s something you may not know: women with these conditions face double the risk of developing heart disease later in life. The effects of postpartum emotional struggles don’t just fade—they can impact your health for years if left unaddressed.

Hormonal Havoc: The Silent Shift in Your Body

Your body is going through a rollercoaster of hormonal shifts. The sharp drop in estrogen and progesterone after childbirth isn’t just about mood swings—it directly impacts your heart health. Estrogen protects your cardiovascular system, and when levels suddenly plummet, your blood vessels become more vulnerable to stress and inflammation.

Breastfeeding, while beautiful and nourishing, takes a huge toll on your body. It requires massive amounts of energy, and if you’re not replenishing your nutrients, you’re setting yourself up for depletion. Low levels of vitamin D, iron, and omega-3 fatty acids are common in postpartum women, and these deficiencies can leave you exhausted, foggy, and more vulnerable to heart-related issues.

The late night wakings and feedings, lack of sleep take a real toll on a woman's body. Did you know that your body needs 8-10 hours of sleep a night a full hour more than a male body to produce a healthy level of hormones? And your body needs cholesterol to make them. So much for the fat-free diet fad! With this kind of exhaustion our bodies need extra magnesium, vitamin E, vitamin B complex and more. 

And it’s not just what’s happening inside your body—external factors play a role, too. Everyday products like scented skincare, perfumes, and cleaning supplies contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals that can throw off your already fragile hormonal balance. Even those stolen moments on your phone, trying to squeeze in some “me time,” can disrupt your circadian rhythm and make stress worse. Recent studies show that people who spend time on their phone or in front of a screen between 11pm and 5am regularly end up with much higher chances of becoming depressed. 

Matrescence: The Overlooked Transformation You’re Going Through

If you feel like you’re not the same person you were before having a baby, you’re right. You’re not just adjusting to motherhood—you’re becoming someone new. This shift is called matrescence, and it’s as big a transformation as adolescence. Your identity, your emotions, your body—it’s all changing at once.

And yet, no one talks about it. Instead, there’s pressure to “bounce back” physically, emotionally, and socially. That pressure pushes so many moms to eat less, sleep less, and put everyone else first—which only deepens the depletion and puts your long-term health at risk. I wrote about Matrescence and why it's gathering so much attention in my recent blog post here. 

Here’s the truth: in your maiden days and years, you had loads of time for self-care, minimal worries, and very few anxieties. You could rest, nurture your own body, and thrive. But now, as a mother, your time and energy are no longer your own. The demands of caring for a little human, the exhaustion of sleepless nights, and the emotional weight of constant caregiving leave little space for self-nourishment. That’s when things get dangerous.

Starving yourself to lose weight isn’t just about vanity—it’s harmful to your health, especially as a mother. The reality is, low food intake, poor nutrition, and neglecting your needs will deepen your depletion. It’s not just about being physically drained; it’s about your long-term health, your future well-being. Depletion is linked to diseases like dementia in older age. If you aren’t taking care of yourself, your heart, mind, and body will pay the price later. Chronic illness and heart health problems are very prevalent among women and it is in a large part due to emotional stress and overwhelm. 

When I realized that my maiden years had passed and that self-discipline was the only way I could function as a mother, my whole approach to life and motherhood changed. I began incorporating stress-reducing activities like meditation, yoga, and prioritizing rest—and my life became much more enjoyable. My motherhood journey shifted from surviving to thriving.

My Story: When I Lost Myself

I thought I was ready for motherhood. I had a beautiful home birth, amazing midwives, and all the knowledge I could gather. But nothing prepared me for the isolation and exhaustion that followed. I was the sole caregiver 24/7, and my body and mind paid the price.

What I didn’t realize was that my struggles weren’t just from lack of sleep. I had celiac disease, undiagnosed for years, which meant my body wasn’t absorbing nutrients properly. Even though I was eating well, I was still deeply depleted. My nervous system was fried. I lived in a constant state of stress, and my world lost its color—literally. It wasn’t until I received a vitamin IV and a B12 shot that I felt something shift. I walked outside, and for the first time in years, I could see the colors of the world again.

That moment changed everything for me. I realized that self-care isn’t a luxury—it’s how you survive.

Self-Care Is Not a Luxury—It’s How You Keep Going

You’ve probably heard “self-care” thrown around as if it’s just bubble baths and spa days. But for you, as a mother, self-care is about survival. Your well-being is the foundation of your family’s well-being. When you take care of yourself, you’re taking care of them, too.

Here are simple, powerful ways to start reclaiming your health:

• Mindfulness and Meditation: Just a few minutes a day can lower stress, balance hormones, and protect your heart.
• Gentle Movement: Walking, yoga, or stretching helps regulate your nervous system and keeps your heart strong.
• Nutritional Support: Focus on omega-3s, vitamin D, iron, and B vitamins to combat postnatal depletion.
• Watch What’s in Your Home: Switch to natural, unscented products to reduce exposure to endocrine disruptors.
• Manage Screen Time: Reduce blue light exposure at night to improve sleep and lower stress.
• Build Your Support System: Lean on your community. Asking for help isn’t weakness—it’s wisdom.

You Are the Heart of Your Home

When your heart is hurting—emotionally or physically—the whole family feels it. Your health matters. You matter. Recognizing the connection between your emotions and your physical well-being can change everything.

In our next post, I’ll share simple self-care protocols designed specifically for moms like you—things you can actually fit into your life, even on the hardest days.

Because self-care isn’t selfish. It’s survival.

Sources: