How Exercise Transforms Your Mental Health as a New Mom
Let me ask you—how are you really doing? Parenting is a rollercoaster of emotions—sweet highs and overwhelming lows—and it’s easy to feel like you’re barely keeping your head above water. That’s why in today’s episode of Embrace Your Real, I’m diving into a topic close to my heart: how exercise directly impacts your mental health as a parent. As a new mom myself, I’ve seen firsthand how moving my body helps me feel more grounded, less overwhelmed, and more equipped to handle the chaos of parenting. Whether it’s reducing stress, boosting energy, or building resilience, honoring your body with movement is a powerful tool for both your physical and mental health.
In this episode, I break down four key ways exercise supports your mental health as a parent. You’ll learn how it lowers stress, boosts your energy (yes, even when you’re exhausted!), strengthens your mindset, and builds confidence and self-love. Plus, I’ll share practical, simple ways to incorporate movement into your busy schedule—whether it’s a 10-minute stroller walk or a quick workout during nap time. Mama, you deserve to feel strong and supported, and I’m here to cheer you on every step of the way.
Episode 108: Self-Love: The Number One Thing that Transformed My Mindset
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Transcript:
00:00 - Speaker 1
Hey, hey, beautiful human, Can I steal five minutes of your time? I have something super important to share with you, but I promise I'll be really quick. You're listening to my weekly bonus episode of Embrace your Real with me, julie Ledbetter. I'm about to give you a quick tip for building your confidence, honoring your body and unconditionally loving your authentic self. Stay tuned. If you're ready to embrace your real, let's get it, let's go. Hello and welcome back to another bonus episode on the Embrace your Real podcast.
00:37
I'm so grateful that you're here today because we're diving into a topic that I am so passionate about, and that is the impact of exercise on mental health. As a parent and I'm very new to this about six months in, very, very new to this but I fully understand that it is a full-on rollercoaster ride. There are so many highs, those sweet little moments that make your heart burst. But let's be real. There are lows too the exhaustion, the overwhelm, the constant second-guessing, and that's why it's so important to have the exhaustion, the overwhelm, the constant second guessing, and that's why it's so important to have the tools to help you stay grounded and, for me, honoring my body with movement. That is that tool, and so that's why, in today's episode, I want to dive into how exercise and moving your body has a direct impact on your mental health as a parent.
01:18
Before we dive in, I want to share this review. It comes from Trinity702. She gave a five-star review and said thank you for your giving. I love this podcast because it's such a joy to hear health advice from a positive, loving, spiritual voice and take it in with such appreciation because of how it's delivered. Her love and compassion is felt and her uplifting words gives me the motivation I need to be better, healthier, happier, human. And I absolutely love all of the nuggets that are packed into your episodes as well. This is well-being. I love this so much. Thank you so much for taking the time out of your day to send in this review. I genuinely appreciate every single one of your guys's reviews. Oh my goodness, they mean the absolute world to me.
01:58
So let's kind of talk about why exercise is so important for your mental health as a new mom. Like number one, it reduces stress and overwhelm. Like let's talk about stress because we all know that it's real. Parenting comes with this never ending to-do list. Like it's easy to feel like you're drowning in all of it and when you're stressed, your body produces cortisol, a hormone that you know, in high levels can really leave you feeling tired, anxious and overwhelmed. And exercise is like a natural antidote, like it helps lower to cortisol levels and increases endorphins, which are those feel good chemicals that instantly boost your mind. So even just 10 to 15 minutes of movement can help you reset. Think of it as hitting the pause button on the chaos. And here's the thing the more you make movement a habit, the more resilient you become to stress over time. Yes, please.
02:50
Number two you boost energy levels. So I know this sounds counterintuitive, but moving your body can actually give you more energy. Like what parent doesn't need more of that right? When you exercise, you're increasing blood flow, and that is giving oxygen to your brain and your muscles, and this not only boosts your physical energy but also helps you feel mentally sharper and more focused. So if you're constantly running on empty, I just want to encourage you to start small, like maybe that's a 10 minute walk while pushing the stroller or a 20 minute dumbbell workout during nap time. These little bursts of movement add up and over time, they really do leave you feeling more energized throughout your day.
03:28
Number three it helps to strengthen your mindset. Parenting is tough Like. Let's be real. It can take a toll on your confidence and your mental resilience. But exercise isn't just about building a strong body. It's about building a strong mind. Like when you show up for yourself and you complete a workout, you're proving to yourself that you can do hard things, and that's a powerful message to carry with you into your parenting journey. Like every time you push through a challenging workout, you are training your mind to stay focused and determined through something hard. And this mental resilience carries over into how you handle the ups and the downs of parenting, whether that's staying calm during a meltdown or finding patience in a stressful situation. The discipline that you've cultivated through exercise does genuinely become a resource that you can draw on. And last but not least, number four, it boosts confidence and self-respect.
04:20
So one of the most overlooked benefits, in my opinion, is the confidence that it brings. Like when you move your body, you're not just improving your physical health, you're showing yourself love, you're showing yourself care, and those acts of prioritizing yourself even if it's for, you know, 10 or 20 minutes a day reminds you that you matter too, and this confidence spills over into how you show up for your family. When you feel good in your body and when you're proud of what it can do, it's easier to be more present and a more patient parent. It's not about achieving a certain look or hitting a specific goal. It's about building a strong foundation of self-respect that impacts every area of your life, and really taking care of yourself is one of the best ways that you can show up as the best version of yourself.
05:07
All right, that's all I've got for you today, so let me quickly recap what I talked about. When you prioritize exercise as a new mom, you will notice that honoring your body with movement number one reduces stress and overwhelm. Number two boosts energy levels. Number three strengthens your mindset. Number four boosts confidence and self-respect.
05:27
I hope that this episode encourages you to make movement a priority in your life because remember, it's not about being perfect. It's about showing up for yourself in the small ways that matter, because when you take care of your mental health, you're also taking care of your family. Like. You've got this and I'm here cheering you on every step of the way, and I know that if you found this episode helpful, you will also find episode 108 self-love the number one thing that transformed my mindset, helpful. And also, if you have another mom who needs to hear this encouragement today, please, please, please, just share it out. And also, don't forget to leave a review. It really does help us reach more women, just like you. And yeah, that's all that I have for today's episode.
06:08
Again, episode 108, self-love the number one thing that transformed my mindset. I really think you will find beneficial. So be sure to check that out. It is in the show notes below, but that is all that I have for today's bonus episode. I love you so dang much. I mean it, and I'll talk to you in the next one.
06:30
All right, sister, that's all I got for you today, but I have two things that I need you to do. First thing, if you are not already following me on the gram, be sure to do so. Julie A Ledbetter yes, it's with an A in the middle for that daily post-workout real talk, healthy tips and tricks and honest accountability to keep your mind and heart in check. The second thing be sure to subscribe to Apple Podcasts to never miss an episode. Thank you so much for joining me. It means the absolute world, and I'm going to leave you with one last thought the most beautiful women that I have met in my life are the ones who are completely confident and secure in being authentically themselves. Remember that beauty goes so much deeper than the surface. So go out there and embrace your real, because you're worth it. Bye.