A few weeks ago we had a play date at the park with one of my friends who is also a mama- Her second of 2 daughters is just a few days older than my Scarlett. My friend told me how she’s started to use CBD oil for chronic pain she’s had for years, and noticed it has also helped her “Mama anger”. When she mentioned that term, I thought “Phew, I’m not the only one who experiences such a feeling!”. It makes sense that us mamas feel this anger from time to time- Before we birthed, or otherwise acquired these tiny humans, we had much more control of our lives than we do now. When that tiny human realizes they have their own willpower and they begin to utilize it, this can be especially infuriating when they’re doing the exact opposite of what you need them to do!
I am not promoting the use of CBD oil, although I do believe it is beneficial to many people for a variety of ailments and issues when used properly. I do also strongly believe in the benefits of meditation- This, coupled with placing Scarlett in timeout, is my most used method for dealing with my mama rage. If I don’t take some deep breaths and give both me and her some time to ourselves, I’m liable to turn green, sprout incredibly thick muscles, speak incoherently, and throw my toddler out the window. All kidding aside, meditation is much simpler than it sometimes is made out to be- There are common misconceptions about what exactly it is or what it should look like. Many believe meditation has to or should be done for about 15-20 minutes in a quiet space, while you’re seated on a cushion in a cross-legged position, with or without ambient or some other tranquil music playing, and candles burning. While that all sounds lovely and I do sometimes meditate in this fashion, for many of us, especially us mamas, it is not the most realistic method to do this practice regularly. Meditation is all about being mindful of your breath and thoughts. Taking a deep breath while letting go of whatever thoughts are causing you discomfort is a meditation. That’s right, taking just one conscious breath is a meditation! How many times a day do you take a deep breath to simply re-center and regroup? That’s how many times you’ve meditated today! Meditation is an excellent tool for self-care, accessible for everyone. It can be as brief as one breath, or longer if you have the time available to you. Play music, or don’t. Sit, stand, lie down. Meditate outside in the sunshine, or in a dimly lit room. The details don’t really matter and more you are wrapped up about them, the more difficult it is to reap the benefits of the practice- The only right way to meditate is to remain mindful throughout. Beyond simply taking several conscious breaths throughout the day, there are so many different styles of meditation, offered both in group settings and for you as an individual- You just have to find the method which speaks truest to you. We all are always better-off when moving from a more mindful state! What are some of your meditation methods? If you're a mom, or otherwise preoccupied, how do you carve out time, even if just for a moment, to make sure you remain in a state of balance and wellbeing? I'd love to hear from you! Namaste', Christina |
Author-Christina is a Bodywork Therapist and Yoga Teacher in the Charlotte, NC area with a passion for writing. Thank you so much for taking the time to read this blog!! Archives
August 2019
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