Self-care Series: Melanie Lawson, Founder of Bare Biology
At &Breathe, we're extremely passionate about our parental self-care mission. It's so important to make time for yourself in your parenting journey - self-care isn't selfish! After all if you're not at your best, how can you be at your best for those around you?
Here we talk to Bare Biology Founder, Melanie Lawson, about her formative experience of postnatal depression, mental health journey, and how she keeps on track for herself and her family.
"I suffered from postnatal depression after my second child. I realized some
years later that I actually suffered from prenatal depression as well, I just didn’t
spot the signs. I’m very open about the fact I’ve had OCD most of my life. I also
suffer from anxiety and sometimes depression, not surprising given mental
illness runs in my family. This is the reason I founded Bare Biology.
I was struggling after my second child, Oscar, with postnatal depression. At the
time, we had really noisy neighbours and Oscar didn’t sleep well, so I also had
horrific sleep deprivation. One day, I went into a blind rage with the neighbours.
I would walk to the beach with Oscar in his pram and would sit for ages on my
own with him, thinking about how useless I was and how everyone would be
better off without me.
“...keeping my brain engaged and giving me a purpose outside of being a mum has really helped.”
It all sounds melodramatic now, but I literally felt wretched. I’d look at other mums and families and wonder how they could seem so happy and relaxed. I knew there must be a way out, so I started to research alternatives. I eventually asked for help from my health visitor and GP and went to a support group for mums with postnatal depression. I also started eating a lot of oily fish and taking fish oil to replenish the Omega 3 I had lost during pregnancies and breastfeeding, and as a result, Bare Biology was born.
A combination of lifestyle changes, talking therapy and making friends with some other mums really helped me pull through. I’ve also found starting and running a business has helped my mental health. It’s strange because it is stressful and it certainly gives me cause for anxiety at times, but keeping my brain engaged and giving me a purpose outside of being a mum has really helped. I’m also on a never-ending quest for self-improvement and I know that things like meditation, exercise, eating well, limiting caffeine, sleeping enough and taking time to relax do really keep me on track."
Some amazing advice and activities that &Breathe fully advocates here - don't be afraid to reach out for help! Melanie Lawson is the Founder of Bare Biology, pure high strength Omega 3 supplements. Find out more at their website.
&Breathe Postnatal is a family wellbeing company focusing on self-care for new parents. Join one of our postnatal and family fitness retreats in France, Morocco, the USA or the UK.