Motherhood can certainly be a magical time in your life and will fill you with wonder, serenity and a new-found joie de vivre. However, a Pregnancy is a changing experience for both the mind and the body, since a lot of strength is needed to create healthy and wholesome new life. Your body will certainly not look and feel as it did before the pregnancy and it needs time to get back to its original shape and fit certain parameters. Your hair and skin will also go through changes, some more unpleasant than others.

Nonetheless, even if you are prepared to face these changes head on, you will find that time is running short, as you are using most of it to take care of your child. It is essential to allow yourself some ‘personal time’ as often as possible in order to restore your fresh looks and feel comfortable in your skin again. Let’s have a look at a couple of beauty rituals that can easily be done in the privacy of your own home and that will put you right back on your toes:

Lose the stretch marks

Stretch marks are a good reminder of pregnancy as they can be stubborn and resistant, unless you do something about them. As their name suggests, they are marks that appear whenever you go through sudden weight change, as is the case with pregnancy. The best way to prevent them from overstaying their welcome is to use olive-oil based moisturizers or even plain olive oil as soon as you find out you are pregnant. Apart from this, it is indicated that you start doing light exercises or yoga, but only with your doctor’s approval.

Scare away acne

As a result of all the hormonal changes happening in your body during pregnancy, you might be faced with an acne outburst, when you least expect it the most. Even though you may be tempted to take medicine, it is recommended that you avoid it as it might have a negative impact on the baby’s health or on your breast milk. When washing, be sure to use an alcohol-free, oil-free gentle cleanser and to avoid overcleansing as it can overstimulate the skin’s oil glands. Follow a healthy and nutritious diet as well, in which you can include well-known skin benefactors such as carrots, almonds and spinach.

Combat hair loss

It is not uncommon for women to experience hair loss during and after their pregnancy. This stage is natural and its effects will start subsiding 3-4 months after the pregnancy. But until that happens, you can take extra care of your hair with some beauty rituals in between other tasks. For example, you can start including in your beauty rituals a reputable hair-loss shampoo. Or if you want to go the extra mile, you can always use essential oil masks, such as rosemary, jojoba or simply olive oil masks, mixed with egg and lemon. A sensible advice is to avoid tying up your hair as it causes unnecessary strain. And at the end of the day, if you still don’t feel radiant, opt for an awesome short haircut: your hair will have more body and will give you the self-confidence boost you need.

Exercise, exercise

It’s never too late to start exercising and get back into shape. A pregnancy can add unwanted fat in the belly area and weaken the core muscles. As a result, you may feel back pain whenever you’re holding something heavy. An exercise ball is a small investment that you can integrate in a series of efficient core-rebuilding routines. Yoga also does wonders – there a few positions that you can do without too much effort in order to get your stamina back, strengthen your pelvic floor and tone your lower back muscles.

Follow these tips and try to fit them in-between nappy changes, feeding and baby nurturing sessions. Remember to always find time for yourself – this will allow you to feel more comfortable in your own skin and to truly enjoy motherhood. As a rule of thumb for any of life’s situations, try to keep active by going out on walks, thereby exposing yourself to fresh air, and exercising from time to time to strengthen your muscles and gain stamina. There will be times when your baby will need this more than you do!

Mila Payton is a passionate traveler and nature lover. She enjoys reading and writing about beauty, healthcare and education. In her free time, she takes long walks with her family.

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