Maria Sharapova has spent most of her life succeeding in routine work. As a retired tennis professional, 28 yearswith a very disciplined approach to training and recovery, has allowed me to achieve big goals such as world No. 1 ranking and five Grand Slam titles.
When she became a mother for the first time in the summer of 2022, Sharapova, 36, continued to rely on a more flexible, albeit consistent, mindset to reach another goal. This time it’s about being the best version of himself for his son Theodore. “All the lessons she learned in her career were put to practical use in the next chapter,” she tells SELF.
One in particular was the importance of consistency. For example, when his son was just born, Sharapova tried to adjust the timing of his feedings and try to match his daytime nap schedule with his schedule. Thanks to that, he was able to record sufficient cumulative rest despite the interruption of sleep during the night. She was also keen to maintain her breast milk supply, and she would regularly wake up in the middle of the night to pump.
The birth of a baby brought about great changes in society, can not stop Author Sharapova says that routinizing some proven self-care practices has strengthened her approach as a mother. “A lot of people think it’s all about the baby, but you also need to take care of yourself so that your baby feels her best,” she says.
During a photo shoot near her home in Los Angeles, Sharapova met with Self to share how she’s making self-care a top priority as she navigates her new role as a mother. Here’s what she’s learned so far:
Never underestimate the benefits of basics.
For Sharapova, sleep and hydration are very important, especially when she’s constantly breastfeeding and changing diapers and not feeling well.
“New moms often forget about themselves because they have new beings to care for,” she says. “[The basics] It’s a great refresher and simple, but you need consistency to get results. “
Consider sleep, for example. As her first birthday approached, Theodore began to doze off all night. No more waking up at random times to pump. But caring for a baby is generally exhausting, so she often lays down and takes a short nap while Theodore sleeps. This is similar to my previous routine at Pro Circuit after a tough training session.
But she’s not actually pressuring herself to fall asleep. She just rests, puts down her phone and enjoys the quiet and quiet space. That rest is a “big boost of energy,” she says.
Then there is hydration. Especially in the first few months after giving birth, Sharapova made drinking enough water a priority as part of her postpartum healing process. “It gives her body a chance to nourish,” she says.
That’s why Evian ambassador Sharapova always has a water bottle nearby. She needs to be able to stay hydrated easily throughout the day. “There’s always milk for the baby and a bottle of water for mom,” she says.
Aim for a gradual and consistent workout and recovery routine.
After the hard work of giving birth, Sharapova slowly returned to fitness, hoping to give her body the time it needed to recover. When Theodore was about six months old, I started gradually increasing her strength training.
