3 ways to practice mindfulness while mom-ing
If you read my last post, motherhood is priceless, you read about some of my recent struggles with anxiety and depression. I know there’s no shortage of either, especially in these times, and especially in moms.
I am been making a conscious effort to be more mindful throughout my day and I think it is helping some of my symptoms. I know that being a mom, and a SAHM mom in that case, takes up the majority of my time and it can be hard to implement mindfulness and self care. None of these practices are revolutionary by any means, but are just a few simple things that I have implemented recently.
Be present while playing
I know we have a million and one things to do in any given day. I find that I can be attached to my phone or simultaneously trying to clean something while “playing” with my son. It is not enjoyable for either of us this way. Start small. 5 minutes. 10 minutes. Build your play time stamina! Be technology free and in the moment with your little one. That time is so precious for the both of you!
2. 3 Affirmations
You can tell yourself three positive affirmations anytime, anywhere. I have recently been doing this in the morning. I have been writing them down so they actually stick. Choose something that might be difficult for you to accept about yourself - mine is “I am proud of myself”. Sometimes that is hard for me to say and be, but the more I do, the more I believe! My other two are, “I am trying my best” and “I am a good mom”.
So are you :).
3. Challenge thoughts that don’t serve you
This is one I have been REALLY working on lately. When you have a thought that you don’t love, or is negative or intrusive, stop and challenge it! Is it really fact? Is it true? Challenge it by replacing it with a more positive thought.
For example:
When we flew to Florida, I was so apprehensive about Baylor freaking out on the flight and it was causing me a lot of anxiety even weeks before we left. When I would start to worry, I would practice stopping the thought and saying to myself, well, what if that DOESN’T happen at all? What is everything is actually great? And then I will replace it with a happier thought such as being on the beach and enjoying time with family.
These are three simple mindfulness tricks that you can do while doing all the mom things too. Enjoy and let me know if you try them out.