Monday, 22 June 2020
Saturday, 20 June 2020
Make Self-Care A Top Priority!
The role of 'mum' is certainly complex! It is a multi-layered function made up of a vast variety of unrelenting roles, duties and tasks. A good definition of the main role of a mum is 'carer'. We care for the health, education, development, success, shortcomings, strengths and weaknesses of our children. We care about the cleanliness and tidiness of our homes. We care about the needs, happiness and worries of our partners. We care about the well-being of our extended family members. So why do we find it so difficult to care for ourselves?
Women tend to have many reasons for disregarding self-care but here are a few:
- Lack of time.
- Lack of self-worth.
- Procrastination.
- The belief that the needs of others are greater than our own.
These reasons may feel valid to you but do you also feel worn-out, under-valued, frustrated and unfulfilled? If you are honest with yourself, you are probably feeling a few of these emotions as well as a lot of other negative ones too!
Try practicing this as part of your new belief system: "Self-care leads to happiness. Happiness makes me a better mum."
When you accept this as being true, you will quickly learn to value self-care and all that it can offer you. You must learn to prioritise moments of time out so you can fulfill your own needs and achieve your own goals.
Do not get caught in the trap of thinking you cannot leave the house else everything will fall apart! Rely on your support network: husband, partner, extended family members and babysitters who can all help to take care of your children while you take some vital time out to care for yourself.
Set aside some time in your diary to do something that will help you to relax, something that you enjoy or something that will help you to attain a certain goal. Ensure whatever it is you do with this time makes you feel good. Prioritise this time and do not cancel it to satisfy the needs of someone else. It is okay to put yourself first sometimes!
Looking after your own needs will invigorate you and restore your energy levels. Allow yourself to focus on your needs so you become a more content woman. A happier woman always makes a better, more loving mum - so what do you have to lose?
If you are desperately in need of time out and want to clearly focus on creating the life you really want, contact Empowering Mums today: you have nothing to lose and everything to gain!
Start your journey today - achieve confidence, balance and joy.
Tracey Wall is a professional personal coach and director of Empowering Mums. Empowering Mums enables mums to live their dreams and aspirations, to become confident, balanced, fulfilled and happy women. We work by supporting and encouraging mums to take ownership of their lives, make positive changes, fulfil their potential and live their lives to the full, achieving life-long ambitions and goals in all aspects of their life. Become the woman you strive to be and live with intention, not regret! Contact Empowering Mums today on 01606 785 357 or visit http://www.empoweringmums.co.uk for more information.
If you have enjoyed this article, Empowering Mums produces a quarterly newsletter, Empower, which aims to support mums on their journey towards achieving confidence, balance and joy. Please visit http://www.empoweringmums.co.uk to subscribe to the latest issue of Empower.
Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Tracey_Wall/383315
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Friday, 19 June 2020
Thursday, 18 June 2020
Calming Meditation Techniques for New Mothers
Everyone has advice for a new mother, even those who don't have any children themselves seem to have gleaned an opinion or two from watching their friends or sisters. Depending on your personality you may have completely disregarded all the suggestions or diligently written down each and every one. Maybe you're going crazy trying to figure out which school of parenting is really the right one, or maybe you think you've got it down pat, the whole day scheduled and every little detail taken care of. No matter where you fall on this scale of preparation, there will inevitably be a moment, when you get home from the hospital or birthing center, or your midwife bids you ado for some much needed sleep, when you'll be left in an empty, unplanned moment alone with your precious newborn baby, thinking, "What the heck do I do now?" When this moment comes, smile to yourself and know that you have joined the ranks of all the wonderful women before you who have taken on this life-changing responsibility, and that they all had the same thought.
Now, let me tell you a little secret... you already know what is best for your child. You know your child better than anyone, you will spend more time with your child than anyone else and you will make the decisions about how to raise your child the best way you know how. So, listen to advice, read books, and observe others, and feel empowered to combine all of the information at your disposal to make the best decisions you know how. When you find you've lost yourself on the rollercoaster of midnight feedings, and your great aunt's advice, take a moment to connect again with yourself and your little one and start fresh.
Finding just ten minutes a day to refresh yourself will do wonders for you state of mind as a mother. Try any or all of the three meditation techniques below, or choose something that you know you enjoy. Meditation techniques range from standing on you head in a traditional yoga pose, to knitting quietly to running. The most important thing to remember is that
you deserve this time for yourself.
Traditional meditation can be very helpful. Often insight into life's little dilemmas will show up clear as day in a quiet mind. If this type of meditation sounds like something you would enjoy, try finding a quiet place away from the noise of the house. Find a place to sit that is comfortable but will also keep you alert. Focus on your breathing and choose two phrases or words to repeat during each inhale and exhale.
Choose empowering words that resonate with how you are feeling. Some examples are; peace, strength, let go, relax, and enjoy. If your mind strays from your breathing gently remind yourself to return your focus to your breath. As you continue your practice you will notice you are able to focus for longer and longer periods of time, both while meditating and throughout the day. Also, a feeling of calm will begin to permeate your
days.
If sitting quietly doesn't seem like something you would enjoy, another option is Stream-of-Consciousness Journaling. Find yourself a blank journal, anything will do, and a good pen. Make yourself comfortable and begin to write. Write down everything that comes to mind whether it makes sense or not. Don't edit your thoughts or feelings even one little bit. Remember no one will read this but you. While writing see if you can begin to observe your thoughts as they pass through your hand. Remove yourself from the business and find a quiet serenity behind where the thoughts and writing originates. If you truly allow your hand to write without the interference of your conscious mind you may be quite surprised at the wisdom
that originates from within you. Try it, you might just enjoy it.
Another option if you are not keen on writing is to do collage work. This doesn't have to be the next Mona Lisa, you are doing this solely for yourself. Begin by collecting old magazines and go through cutting out pictures and words that move you or resonate with you. When you feel inspired, combine them into one collage. You will be surprised at the themes that emerge from this exercise because when choosing visual images we tend to react more subconsciously than when choosing words to express ourselves. These collages are very therapeutic for purging that deep desire to express oneself and are a wonderful step on the way to finding that still place in your mind. Collages made this way are very meaningful and also make great gifts if you feel like sharing.
Giving yourself a little extra time each day to reflect and settle down will make you a better parent. It is important as your child grows that she sees you caring for yourself. Children learn by example after all. So get your rest, care for your body, listen to your soul, and you will be the best
parent your child could ask for.
Ronee Parsons is a Certified Aromatherapist a Work-At-Home Mother and the owner of [http://olybaby.com].
For more information about caring for yourself and your family naturally visit the Oly Baby Website or sign up for the Oly Baby Newsletter at [http://olybaby.com/newsletter/?p=subscribe] .
Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Ronee_Parsons/33916
https://ezinearticles.com/?Calming-Meditation-Techniques-for-New-Mothers&id=194804
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Saturday, 13 June 2020
Yoga for Mental Health: Mental and Physical Benefits of Yoga
Living in today's fast-paced world can be very stressful. People go through their lives without having time for rest and relaxation. One would think that after all the advancements in technology life would be so much simpler and relaxed. However, life has actually become busier with the advent of all these new technologies. Even if you are always piled up with work at the office or you find yourself always having to travel from one place to another not for leisure but for business, it is still important to take some time for yourself. A good way to make your free time more relaxing is by doing some yoga. The primary focus of yoga is on the general well being of the individual. Yoga is good for your mental health and stress reduction, as it encourages the mind to focus and relax.
Doing some yoga, whether in a class or at home by yourself can have a lot of positive benefits for your overall mental health. Yoga can help your mind relax and by constantly engaging in both the physical and mental practices of this discipline, you will find that it is much easier to deal with stressful situations. Yoga for mental health offers so many benefits. Yoga can teach you to learn how to quiet your mind so that you can focus your energy into being at peace. While work and other worldly endeavors are an important part of your life, it is important to feel from time to time that work is not all there is in the world. By doing yoga, you can focus on positive thoughts and you can let go of all the bad energy and focus on things that make you happy.
Doing yoga for fitness is beneficial for your body as well as your mind. Yoga will keep you physically fit, as it improves you body's flexibility and your overall health. Yoga significantly improves energy, vitality and respiration. By doing yoga, you can lose a lot of weight, as it helps improve metabolism. When you feel good about the way you look physically and when you constantly think of positive thoughts, you will be much more satisfied with your life. Yoga for mental health may just be one of the best things you can do for yourself. Go for a session or two of yoga over the weekend and you will find that you are much more alert and energetic when you go back to work. Yoga for mental health will also help you become much more alert and mental alertness can help a lot as you go about you daily activities.
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Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Cathy_H._Jones/487914
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Friday, 12 June 2020
Recognizing Postpartum Anxiety in New Mothers
New mothers go through an emotional upheaval and lose their mothering experience in a slew of worries and concerns about the newborn. It is normal for a woman to feel on edge after having a baby, but those suffering from anxiety typically face prolonged anxiety-related symptoms, such as irritability, restlessness, difficulty concentrating, etc., which can impair their ability to take a good care of the new baby.
Andrea is a new mother, with a two-month-old baby. She's been spending sleepless nights attending to him ever since she was discharged from the hospital. Despite the sudden life changes post the delivery, she believes that all these changes are worth the happiness of motherhood. However, she continues to experience dizziness, jittery feelings, constant tightness in the throat and chest, and a pounding heart, which gradually took a heavy toll on her physical and mental well-being.
"What if I go out and he starts crying uncontrollably and I'm unable to calm him" and "what if someone snatched him away from my arms" are some of the many anxious thoughts which continue to haunt her mind. As an outcome, she often ends up asking for repeated reassurances and unnecessary advice from her mother, friends and care providers, surfing the internet for answers to the innumerable questions arising in her mind, avoiding stepping out of the house and obsessively reading books and magazines on parenting.
Thus, when new mothers start to worry about trivial matters and are unable to stop, it could be a sign of postpartum anxiety disorder. Anxiety in new mothers can be highly debilitating as it can reduce the mother-infant bond and can also result in impaired cognitive development later in the child's life.
Tips to deal with postpartum anxiety
Studies have shown that when women are not treated for postpartum anxiety or depression, they are less likely to provide proper care for a dependent infant, which can have a long-term impact on the child's physical and mental development. Such women are highly vulnerable to self-medication with alcohol or drugs which may result in alcohol or drug addiction, along with lifelong chronic anxiety. However, it is important to identify symptoms of postpartum anxiety in new mothers and seek assistance at the earliest. Here are some tips to mitigate anxiety-related symptoms:
Antidepressant medications: Selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which include fluoxetine and sertraline, are the class of medications prescribed to combat postpartum anxiety and depression. Venlafaxine, which is a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), is also used to counter such conditions.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): This therapy centers around dealing with negative thoughts in a constructive and positive way through problem-solving skills, relaxation, social skills and other related activities. CBT is known to be highly effective in treating postpartum depression and anxiety.
Interpersonal therapy (IPT): This 12-session therapy helps patients to improve relationships with their spouse and is effective in preventing or lowering anxiety-related symptoms.
Some self-help tips to manage postpartum anxiety at home are:
- giving priority to oneself
- having a healthy diet
- doing regular exercise
- spending time with family and friends
- keeping oneself busy with hobbies and other fun activities
- focusing on the present instead of worrying about the future
- getting sufficient sleep
Leading an anxiety-free life
Being anxious once in a while is normal. However, anxiety disorder is a serious mental disorder. The symptoms of the disorder range from general fear of the unknown to excessive paranoia which can hamper day-to-day activities.
If you or your loved one is suffering from postpartum anxiety or any other anxiety disorder, seek medical help from a certified medical practitioner at the earliest. You can connect with the Anxiety Treatment Centers in California for all the required details on anxiety disorders treatment. You may call us at our 24/7 helpline number 855-972-9459 to speak to our certified representatives to know about various anxiety treatment centers.
Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Barbara_Odozi/2218626
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Thursday, 11 June 2020
Self Help for Anxiety - Simple Steps to Relieve Anxiety Now
Anxiety, when allowed to get out of control, can take over your life. It can prevent you from doing even the simplest tasks. Despite this, there is self help for anxiety. Just following the steps below can relieve anxiety and put you on the right track to a stress free life.
1. Get some exercise. Even 10 minutes of light exercise will release endorphins in your body. Endorphins act as both a mood enhancer and a sedative, similar to morphine but without the dangerous side effects. Exercise has the added benefit of improving your immune system. Not only will you be less anxious, but you'll be less likely to get ill and create more worries.
2. Maintain a healthy diet. Your brain and body need proper nutrients to function well. Improper nutrition will make you tired, irritable and anxious. Use a multivitamin if you can't get the required nutrients in your food. Complex carbohydrates like oatmeal and multigrain breads cause your body to release serotonin, another natural anxiety and stress reliever.
3. Drink plenty of water. When you are dehydrated, you feel tired, sluggish, and just plain "out of it." These feelings open doors that allow anxiety to creep in. Close those doors to an unhealthy brain.
4. When you experience a panic attack, breathe in and out in a paper bag. This will increase the amount of CO2 in your lungs and kick your body back into normal breathing mode.
5. Think about something else. When you start to worry about something, distract yourself. Read a book, do a puzzle, etc.
6. Create a plan of attack. If you are worried about a particular event such as a job interview, make a list of steps you can follow that will prepare you for the event. The more prepared you are, the more confident and less anxious you will be.
7. When engaged in stressful activities, take a relaxation break. Just 20 minutes of relaxation a day can help clear your mind. Ways to relax include meditation, taking a walk, engaging with a pet, watching fish swim, etc.
8. Combine exercise and relaxation. Yoga and Tai Chi are both great ways to simultaneously relax your mind with meditation and release endorphins with exercise.
Don't let anxiety control your life. Even following one of the anxiety self help steps will make a difference. Follow them all and you could see a marked improvement in no time. Self help for anxiety is not easy, but it's worth every second you take to take care of your self. Relieve your anxiety today.
Read more about Self Help For Anxiety [http://remediesanxiety.com/index.php?p=articles/anxiety-articles/self-help-for-anxiety]. Find out about other Anxiety Remedies [http://remediesanxiety.com].
Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Corryn_Young/905721
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Wednesday, 10 June 2020
Meditation and Mental Health
If you want to live a more fulfilling and satisfying life, it pays to strengthen your mental health. The stronger the pillars of your mind are, the better able you are to live the life you truly want.
A healthy mind takes action, unhindered by fear, confusion or distractions. And it keeps working when things get tough.
Your mind is the product of your entire lifestyle (and, I suppose, the reverse is also true). Looking after it is like looking after your body. You'll want to live right, eat right and sleep right. Your mind needs social contact, interesting puzzles and physical movement to stay at its best.
Looking after yourself draws on every aspect of your life. So meditation is not the whole answer, though it's certainly part of it.
Q: How does meditation improve your mental health?
Firstly, nothing I say here should be construed as medical advice. Only a licenced professional who has, you know, spoken to you would be qualified for that.
But, for most people, meditation is great training for your mind's health. Just like physical exercise keeps your body strong, meditation develops key mental skills. Focusing on the present moment keeps you from dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. Accepting what you experience reduces the sting from any negative emotion.
You don't lift weights to get good at lifting weights. You do it to become strong in your everyday life. Meditation is the same.
Some quiet time also allows your unconscious mind to work through any issues behind the scenes. When you meditate long enough, you'll have days where you come out of it feeling great. You won't know what resolved, but you'll know something did.
That makes you stronger for whatever happens next.
Q: How much should I meditate each week?
If you've never started before, take it slow. Maybe you want 10 minutes a day, three days a week.
You want to build that up. Most people find it better (and easier) when they do 20 minutes every day. That's what I do, at least.
Then sometimes I will meditate twice in a day or have a longer session (about an hour).
Whether that's right for you is up to you. I encourage you to try longer sessions, though.
Q: Does meditation help with more serious mental health issues?
It can. There's a lot of evidence that meditation is great for things like anxiety, stress and trauma - even PTSD. For serious conditions, I recommend seeking guidance - at the minimum, talk to your doctor. You probably want a good meditation coach too.
Meditation generally isn't recommended for people who hallucinate or have split personalities.
Q: I have something I want to work through but meditation isn't helping. Any thoughts?
Give it time.
If that doesn't help, learn self-hypnosis. It teaches you to get to the symbolic essence of your issues and resolve them.
Read on:
https://guided-thought.com/downloads/unlock-vault-self-hypnosis/
Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/William_T_Batten/2522089
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Tuesday, 9 June 2020
The Basics of Understanding Stress
Stress comes to us all in different ways at different times in different degrees and any number of causes can trigger it. When stressed we feel that we care not in control. We feel overwhelmed.
When that happens, something needs to be done about it. You must do what you can to manage your stress and regain control. But just what is stress? That's what we look at here so you may understand what stress is and how we react to it.
When we feel stressed our nervous system pushes signals to the brain that things are not quite right. It senses danger or a threat. The brain then reacts - often known as "fight or flight" - and hormones go crazy often causing the classic stress symptoms of increased heart rate, faster breathing (gasping for breath), increased blood pressure and more.
Basically this is how the body automatically reacts to anything causing you to feel stressed. It's a signal to do something about it. Unless you do, the stress can spiral and quickly get more serious in turn affecting your health - you may well end up depressed or feeling down for example. And that's never good.
Now we have a basic understanding of what stress is, let's take a look at some of the ways we respond when stressed.
We mostly feel on edge, uncomfortable, perhaps even desperate if the stress is particularly bad. You may feel emotional, frustrated and irritable too because you do not know how to get things back in order again.
This can spill over in to your relationships - partner, family, friends, and colleagues - as they will pick up on how you are feeling and that could affect them in different ways too. Some may offer help, some might simply keep out of your way.
Some people respond to stress by withdrawing in to themselves and distancing themselves from others in an attempt to cope. This can often make things worse and the stress and whatever is causing it remains bottled up inside you. Whereas talking things out with a close friend often is a huge help. A problem shared is a problem halves as the saying goes.
Some people may appear to be cool, calm and collected when stressed in an attempt to hide it. A bit like a duck in water. The duck looks serene going about its business, but underneath it's paddling away. So it may be with a person who reacts to stress by trying to hide it.
The story here is that by having and understanding of what stress is, what causes it and how we react to it differently may help you to deal with it next time you feel stressed and take action to reduce your stress.
You may be interested to explore stress reduction techniques further in more depth. To do that, here is a video course containing nine stress reduction action plan s. It is available on Skillshare and you can access it today by clicking here.
Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Andy_Machin/16946
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Wednesday, 20 May 2020
5 Self Improvement Tips You Need to Try to Live Your Best Life
1. Enroll In A Self Improvement Course
2. Stop Comparing Yourself To Others
3. Ask Yourself This One Question Every Day
4. Give Back
5. Remember: You Deserve Success
Use These Self Improvement Tips To Boost Your Self-Worth
Tuesday, 19 May 2020
How Are You Coping As Lockdown Restrictions Ease?
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/10298236
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The only way to have a friend is to be one."... Emerson Who are your friends? What do they mean to you? No matter where you go,...





