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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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The Fifth Trimester summary
Lauren Smith Brody
The Working Mom’s Guide To Style, Sanity, and Big Success After Baby
14 mins
Brief summary
'The Fifth Trimester' by Lauren Smith Brody is a must-read for new moms. It provides a roadmap for returning to work after childbirth. The book explores common challenges and offers practical advice to adjust to the new life chapter.
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The Fifth Trimester
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Key idea 1 of 6
Minimize postpartum depression by making efforts to take care of yourself and your appearance.
When the author, Lauren Smith Brody, returned to her job after having her first child, some things were going surprisingly well. She was getting her work done, earning enough money to pay the nanny, arriving home on time and getting rather efficient at using the breast pump.
But when she stopped to look at herself in the mirror, it was a different story.
The author found it difficult to cope with her “postpartum pooch” and the desire to get back to looking “normal.” But she also found that her worries were alleviated when she put extra effort into taking care of herself and her appearance.
Research has shown that self-compassion is an important part of reducing the toxic self-critical view that new mothers often have. So the more you make sure to nurture yourself, the more confident you’ll start to feel.
Perhaps, like the author’s friend, you might benefit from putting a confidence-boosting message on the top corner of your mirror so that you can read it to yourself in the morning.
The right clothes can also help. Nitzia Logothetis is a psychotherapist and the founder of the Seleni Institute for Maternal Mental Health. She recommends avoiding ill-fitting outfits and wearing clothes that reflect how you want to feel. New moms will start to feel more confident and put-together when they look in the mirror and see someone who’s well dressed.
You might be thinking: If only I had time to spend on choosing outfits and applying makeup! Well, believe it or not, there are ways to improve your appearance that don’t take up too much time.
First of all, stay hydrated. Drinking lots of water will help diminish the dark circles under your eyes caused by lack of sleep.
There are also eye creams containing algae that work wonders for those dark circles, and with a little practice you can get a quick makeup routine down to around a minute!
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What is The Fifth Trimester about?
The Fifth Trimester (2017) is packed with advice and tips for new mothers on how to successfully return to work after their maternity leave. Covering important details like what clothes to wear, how to pick the best day care and how to feed your baby even when you’re not with it, the book draws on the author’s own experiences as well as interviews with other new moms. This is a practical and inspirational self-help guide for new mothers who may feel overwhelmed by the prospect of returning to their job.
Best quote from The Fifth Trimester
Studies show that a little makeup can make women appear four years younger while improving first impressions by 37 percent!
—Lauren Smith Brody
Who should read The Fifth Trimester?
- Pregnant women or new moms returning to work
- Employers and managers who want to create a family-friendly working environment
- New fathers who want to support their partners
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