Being a mom can be one of a woman’s most rewarding and fulfilling experiences, but it’s not without challenges. Being a mom can be overwhelming, from juggling multiple responsibilities to dealing with stress and anxiety. That’s why mindfulness is so important for moms. One of my favorite things about mindfulness is that it’s a way to be present in the moment, where you can reduce stress, improve your overall well-being, and be a better mom to your children.
Mindfulness has been immensely helpful in my entire healing journey. I have struggled with anxiety for as long as I can remember.
By practicing mindfulness, I’ve been able to radically ease my anxiety over time. As a mom, I can better self-regulate… and that helps me teach my daughter to self-regulate too.
Of course, the journey to practicing mindfulness isn’t straightforward. It’s not something you just do once and move on. And it is absolutely not something you will be great at when you first start. Just like any other skill, mindfulness takes practice (a LOT of practice). If you’ve struggled with trauma and mental health issues, getting started might be more difficult, but please know that your brain can adjust. It will get easier, don’t give up.
Why is it so difficult to be a mindful mom?
Being a mom is a full-time job, and finding the time and energy to be mindful can be difficult. This often leads to mom burnout, where you feel absolutely overwhelmed and ready to throw your hands in the air. As a Mom, you are often being pulled in multiple directionsโwith constant competing demands on your time and attention. It’s tough.
It’s really easy to get caught up in the chaos of daily life and forget to take a moment to breathe and be present because you are just trying to survive! Also, as a mom, you often deal with stress and anxiety related to your children’s well-being, which adds to the complexities of coping.
As a mom, you feel responsible for everything!
One of the biggest challenges of being a mindful mom is learning to let go of the need to be in control. As a mom, you can feel like you need to have everything under control, but this can lead to stress and anxiety when things don’t go according to your plan.
Another challenge is finding the time to be mindful because you are often so busy caring for your family that you neglect your own needs. This means making time for quiet reflection and mindfulness practices is few and far between.
One of the hardest lessons for moms to embraceโฆ when you don’t take care of yourself, it’s not possible for you to give the best of yourself to others. This leads to a list of health issues, stress, insomnia, and difficulty in your relationships. Taking time for yourself is one of the best things you do for yourself AND your family.
What can you do to be a more mindful mom?
Fortunately, there are many strategies that you can use to cultivate mindfulness in your life. Yet, it takes active effort to prioritize YOU.
One approach is practicing mindfulness during daily activities, such as washing dishes or showering. This approach is an easy way to start incorporating mindfulness into your day without feeling like you have to carve out dedicated time.
Staying in the present in the moment is a great way to begin to reduce stress. You can do it anytime, anywhere.
Another strategy, if you can manage, is to set aside dedicated time for mindfulness practices, such as meditation or yoga. Having dedicated time for self-care can feel daunting. Start small if needed, and work your way to building a regular mindfulness practice.
Why is mindfulness as a mom so important?
Mindfulness is essential for you as a mom because it helps you be more present and engaged with your children. When you are mindful, you can better listen to your children, respond to their needs, and create meaningful connections with them. Also, mindfulness can help you reduce stress and improve your overall well-being, making you happier and more fulfilled.
In fact, studies have shown massive benefits to moms of all stages. A research study done in 2017 studied women in a mindfulness-based program to see the impact on mental health during pregnancy and early motherhood. The mindfulness program effectively reduced postpartum stress and depression, suggesting that this program provided long-term benefits to women during pregnancy and the postpartum period.
Being a mindful mom is not easy but worth the effort.
By cultivating mindfulness in your life, you start to appreciate the little things in life, feel more connected to your children, and find more things to appreciate. And, of course, you pass these invaluable skills on to your children.
Whether you practice mindfulness during daily activities or set aside dedicated time for meditation and yoga, many strategies can help you be more mindful and present in your life as a mom.
