1) Focus on the breath – like waves of sand on a beach, this is a constant rhythm to your life. It is always there, and at times of great stress or overwhelm it can help to just focus on this innate instinct and retune your body to its primal function.
2) Forget FOMO –embrace JOMO! Embrace the ‘Joy of Missing Out’, skip the occasional baby group, coffee morning and focus on what is really right for you and your child. Spending time with just you and your baby is often far more rewarding than a large social gathering!
3) Don’t believe your friends’ #nofilter lives! Parenthood is never glamorous. Behind the scenes there will be just as much reigning chaos as your life, I promise!
4) Download ‘Headspace’ meditation app – great to listen to before bed. Guarantees a good night’s sleep!
5) Exercise! Even just a little bit. Joining a yoga class, trying an exercise DVD or deciding to do an extra-long buggy walk are all ways of allowing your body to release endorphins – the happy drug.
6) Turn off phone/ devices when spending time with your child – really focus on and enjoy the time you are spending with them. Your phone will still be there once they are in bed!
7) Remove the word ‘should’ from your vocabulary – just do it! Simple. And notice how liberating your life quickly becomes!
8) Don’t rush! – it’s official… late people are more ‘successful, creative and optimistic’. Don’t spend your life in a hectic rush from ballet classes to toddler group to work meetings, being late is a far preferable consequence than a child’s memories of a constantly stressed and frantic parent.
9) Turn that negative thought positive – we are in charge of our thoughts and an easy way to change our mood is to change the language of our thoughts. Switch from “I’m not good enough” or “My partner is so unhelpful” to “We are wonderful parents and doing the best we can”. If you are really struggling with changing the thought, then change the environment. Go for a walk, see a friend, watch a favourite film – your mood will soon follow.
10) Allies not enemies – On the subject of partners. Always try to think about it from their perspective and perhaps hone in on the things they do do rather than what they don’t. And if you feel you aren’t able to communicate effectively and calmly with your partner then wait for a time when you can.
Comments