Shakira Akabusi's Struggle with Maternal Anxiety and OCD
After becoming a mother, Shakira Akabusi found her life dominated by anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), leading her to establish Strong Like Mum as a platform for recovery. The overwhelming pressures of new motherhood, coupled with intrusive thoughts, pushed her to seek solutions, highlighting a common issue among UK mothers where 71% report feeling overloaded.
The Onset of Anxiety During Pregnancy
Around six months into her first pregnancy, Akabusi recognized the need to address her mental health. Obsessive compulsions, such as repeatedly checking her child's breathing or temperature, consumed up to four hours nightly. She notes that while maternal instincts are often praised, anxiety can distort these into fearful thoughts, making it hard to distinguish between genuine concern and irrational worry.
Her anxiety manifested as OCD, with small worries escalating into persistent, uncontrollable thoughts. Despite maintaining a job and social appearances, internally, she battled a constant loop of "what-ifs," a experience shared by 96% of parents according to a University of East Anglia study.
Launch of Strong Like Mum YouTube Channel
In response to her journey, Akabusi launched the Strong Like Mum YouTube channel in collaboration with The Independent. This initiative focuses on workouts for real-life situations, emphasizing forward progress rather than a quick "bounce back." From struggling to leave home to achieving OCD-free living, she advocates for patience and simple routines to transform mental health.
Akabusi stresses the importance of seeking professional help from GPs or doctors for mental or physical health concerns, underscoring that recovery is possible with the right support.
The Mind-Body Connection in Postnatal Recovery
With over 15 years as a pre- and postnatal exercise specialist, Akabusi highlights the critical link between body and mind. Chronic stress can impair healing, particularly during the postpartum period when the body undergoes repair and hormonal shifts. For women recovering from cesarean sections, managing scar tissue through massage and relaxation techniques is vital for long-term core function and emotional well-being.
Scar tissue massage, safe after 6-8 weeks postpartum, involves gentle steps from the abdomen to the incision site, helping women emotionally prepare to touch their scars.
Three Key Anti-Anxiety Exercises for New Mothers
New motherhood brings time constraints and sleep disruptions, making physical health a challenge. Akabusi simplifies this with three exercises:
- Hip Flexors: The psoas muscle, linked to the fight-or-flight response, can cause tension affecting the lower back and breathing. Stretching while deep breathing releases this tension, aiding emotional processing.
- Jaw and Pelvic Floor: Stress-induced clenching in areas like the jaw can trigger pelvic floor tension. Strengthening and relaxing these muscles through exercises, such as those on the StrongLikeMum YouTube channel, supports core function and reduces anxiety.
- Energy Improvement: Elevating feet on a chair for three minutes boosts blood flow to the heart and brain, increasing energy levels, which is crucial after sleepless nights common in early motherhood.
Embracing Physical Release for Emotional Balance
Anxiety often resides in bodily tissues, affecting posture and breathing. Akabusi encourages mothers to release physical tension through techniques like body scans and gentle stretches, sending calming signals to the nervous system. By prioritizing rest and muscle relaxation, women can guide their minds and bodies back to a state of calm over time.
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