It isn’t uncommon for people to constantly rush from one activity over to another. If you’re a mother, you know how it is to have your mind always racing with thoughts about your next task in your mental to-do list. The lack of mindfulness in your waking life can possibly be detrimental and take a toll on your holistic health.
There are many perceptions people have about the concept of mindfulness. It’s believed to be not just a state where you’re just sitting quietly and still; truth be told, that’s something difficult for a busy mom to do. If you want to create a mindfulness-based lifestyle, you have to learn to be present at the moment to help you in dealing with everyday challenges.
4 Ways To Practice Mindfulness As A Busy Mom
Excessive worrying is said to be pointless as it reduces your control over your thoughts or actions. Mindfulness can help you by redirecting your focus to be fully aware of your thoughts and feelings, paying attention to your breath as you do. Fortunately, there are some activities that are said to aid you to overcome anxiety and stress despite being a very busy matriarch.
Simple Mindfulness Ways And Activities For On-The-Go Mothers
Busy moms like you can also take advantage of the benefits a mindful lifestyle brings without compromising too much of your precious time. By taking small simple steps to become more in tune with yourself and your surroundings, you can take control of your stress and improve your overall wellbeing. Try to incorporate and practice the activities below into your everyday life to start leading a mindful way of living.
- Start The Day Right
Many parents, especially moms, know how it is to jump out of bed and start the day in a rush to get things going. However, doing so can deplete your energy faster and make you feel worn out by lunchtime. Below are some tips to prevent that from happening:
- Start with silence
Begin your morning by allotting about three to five minutes of calm and quiet. Take this time to stretch and think about positive thoughts and ideas. This will help set the happy and peaceful tone for the day.
- Set mindfulness reminders
Moms are said to be used to creating a to-do list for the things that must be accomplished within the day. You should also set reminders to practice mindfulness throughout the day. It’s advised to set alarms for mini-breaks, place sticky note prompts on your work table, or wear crystal bracelets that remind you that it’s time to heal or restore your energy with mindfulness activities.
- Reduce Your Dependency On Technology
You may not know it, but technology can add to your stress and worries. You can take some time away from your smartphone, computer, or other types of technology and substitute them with activities that help you appreciate your body and surroundings.
Read a self-help or inspirational book or water your plants instead of looking at your phone’s notifications every few minutes. Not using any mobile device when you take your lunch can help you focus and savor the different textures and flavors of your food. Practicing mindfulness in your daily activities may help prevent stress while creating awareness and calmness.
- Take Small But Frequent Breaks
Every mother is believed to have something in common: their schedules are jampacked from sunrise to sundown. Whether you’re a career woman, a homemaker, or a work-from-home mom, it’s important to take regular short breaks to prevent stress and anxiety from taking a hold of you during the day. During these short periods of peace, you’ll be able to practice mindfulness which helps you recharge and relax at the same time.
Here are some notable examples:
- Enjoy your coffee break
What’s the point of brewing coffee, or your favorite tea, if you can’t take at least fifteen minutes to indulge in the wonderful smell of your beverage? Practice mindfulness with every coffee break by sitting in a comfortable position and hold your cup with both hands.
Feel the texture and warmth of your mug as you slowly raise it to your nose to breathe in the indulging aroma. You may be guilty of downing a cup of coffee to get back to your chores or work, but slowly sipping it will help you become more aware of your different senses. You’ll find yourself relaxed but alert before finishing your short break.
- Take a breathing break
You can have as many breathing breaks as you want because these only take a few minutes each time. These brief breathing breaks help disperse the stress and anxiety that’s slowly building up as you go through your day. Slowly breathe in to fill your lungs with much-needed oxygen. As you exhale and release your breath slowly, you’ll feel the tension on your shoulders and neck reduced.
- Make Meditation A Part Of Your Day
Mindfulness is being fully aware and awake to take in every moment. It also concerns being completely engaged in what is taking place in one’s environment without judgment and concern. This state of awareness may lead to the ability to experience deep connections that are grounded in truth. Meditation is one of the best ways busy parents can practice mindfulness before starting the day or before retiring to bed. When you meditate, you can do the following:
- Visualization
Mindfulness is believed to not just be about not caring for the future. Instead, true mindfulness teaches you how to achieve your goals positively through visualization.
Mindfulness meditation involves watching your thoughts and actions play in a neutral state so that you can visualize what you want in the forthcoming. This will help you create plans and steps that will help achieve your goals, may they be about your career or your relationship with your family.
- Imagery
Another mindfulness-based activity that you can incorporate in your daily meditation is to imagine something while paying attention to your breath. When you feel your breath, take a moment to observe its quality and how it feels.
This activity is particularly helpful when you’re feeling anxious or overwhelmed with a lot of stress because visualizing positive images can help you calm down and stay level-headed. When you perform this regularly, you can be able to conquer negative emotions and thoughts moving forward.
Takeaway
Mindfulness activities for on-the-go mothers can include simple activities ranging from practicing meditation, sitting back, and enjoying your coffee to wearing crystal bracelets that help balance your aura. There are many things that you can do and these activities won’t take more than several minutes of your time each day. By incorporating mindfulness activities into your lifestyle, you may eventually find yourself calmer and able to manage stress better.