6 Surprising Items That Actually Help While Coping With PPD

Sometimes you have to approach a problem from every possible angle. But postpartum depression (PPD) is uniquely disorienting: the very symptoms you’re trying to manage — exhaustion, brain fog, hopelessness, irritability — can make it nearly impossible to do the things that are “supposed” to help. From my own experience, even after I connected with a psychologist who specialized in PPD and began building a real support system, I still felt paralyzed, overwhelmed, and too depleted to tackle the wellness routines that flood your feed.

At-home Pilates? Sure. Long, mindful walks in nature? In theory. Batch-cooking hormone-balancing meals? Please.

What I needed wasn’t a total life overhaul. It was small, low-lift supports that met me exactly where I was. And surprisingly, a handful of simple items — some practical, some comforting — made a quiet but meaningful difference as I worked through PPD. If you’re in it right now, these might be worth adding to your own toolkit.

1. A Completely Unhinged Sephora Haul

I was only a couple of weeks into motherhood when I felt a bone-deep, borderline urgent need to contour my face. Never mind that my nipples were raw, I hadn’t slept in days, and I barely recognized the person staring back at me in the mirror. A voice in my head guided me to toward Sephora, where I cathartically added-to-cart like my life depended on it.

Amid all the excitement and adjustment that comes with having a new baby, I remember this purchase because it was completely unnecessary. Everything else I bought in those early days was out of need: diapers (for baby and me), wipes, nipple cream, and nursing bras. Ordering some “just because” cosmetics was a lovely detour on the PPD highway. It reminded me that I was still a person with preferences and wants — not just a body keeping another human alive.

2. A Gorgeous Cookbook From Your Favorite Instagram Chef

My Instagram feed transitioned from recipes and fashion tips to all things New Mom Life. It became a fun-house mirror of my life — perfect moms perfectly feeding their perfectly sleeping babies.

But when a friend gifted me an assortment of beautiful cookbooks, they became the offline portal I needed to feel inspired without feeling overwhelmed. Was I cooking? No. But before my baby, I loved to cook, and paging through lush photography, insightful tips, and recipes provided a much-needed break from the doom scroll. It let me reconnect with something I enjoyed without the pressure to perform it perfectly.

3. A Hairbrush That Won’t Rip Your Hair Out

A surprisingly helpful tool for anyone who’s dealt with depression. After days of “I’ll brush it tomorrow,” I felt dread at the thought of detangling my hair. But when a friend who’d been through PPD sent me what she dubbed her “Depression Stick,” I could finally check one thing off my list — even if it was as small as brushing my own hair.

4. A Sane Way To Prep Dinner

When I had my second child, the reality of juggling PPD and mom guilt felt like too much to carry. Since my knack for the kitchen went out the door with PPD, I outsourced what I could, and found that Little Spoon offered nutritious pre-made meals with clean ingredients that my 3-year-old would miraculously enjoy.

Taking this stress off my plate (literally) gave me room to breathe and simply connect with my 3-year-old at mealtime instead of quietly crying over burnt broccoli.

5. A Portable Laundry Hamper

There are a lot of issues I have with laundry — the amount of it, the time it takes, and the folding it requires. But one of the biggest hassles is simply moving it from one room to another. While this hamper (unfortunately) doesn’t solve every complaint, its nifty folding mechanism makes it easier to scoop up dirty clothes like a Birkin bag and haul them to the washing machine.

When you’re knee-deep in PPD, and everything is hard, anything that makes daily life a little easier is worth it.

6. A Pair Of Sneakers That Require Zero Effort

In the throes of PPD, even bending down (with a baby strapped to your chest) to tie your shoes can be reason enough to stay put. But what if you could slide into a pair of shoes that not only supported your fallen arches but also looked cute?

Kizik shoes are designed with hands-free technology that is truly hands-free without sacrificing support. No bending required.

Presented by BDG Studios