The Truth About Meditation and the Modern Mom (It’s a real struggle)
I have to tell you the truth about being a modern mom and meditating. Your husband will tease you, your kids will think you are a bit daft and your friends- well, let’s just say if you casually let it drop in a conversation, a long uncomfortable silence will follow- as if you just confessed to being a shop-lifter or admitted to liking tinned sardines.
What IS the deal, folks? Mediating is as mainstream as Doctor Who these days. Everyone knows the TARDIS, right? So why that awkwardness about being a mom who meditates?
I dealt with these very issues when I was breastfeeding too- something so natural was an incredibly painful and awkward subject for others- even resulting in outright hostility.
Meditation is Mainstream
Jerry Seinfeld came out and said he meditated and it helped him be a better dad. Time magazine wrote that doctors are prescribing it to help with healing. Honestly, this practice has been around for ages (even Jesus meditated 😉 and it’s confined to the Eastern World.
I started my journey into meditating a couple of years back, but after seeing the effects now, wished I had begun years ago.
Create Inner Calm with Meditation
The Modern Meditating Mom
Meditating is actually simple, once you learn how. It is the process of quieting your mind- of creating an inner calm. If you are like me, racing around like a chicken with its’ head cut off, this is an incredible tool to find your inner chill.
I used to concentrate on the flame of a candle – or a rock, because I didn’t want to close my eyes. Then I focused on the breath. Now I prefer some ambiance, like ocean waves, a bubbling stream or soothing piano (I love piano) with deep breaths or a guided meditation.
Using Technology to Meditate
I have used the Omvanna App on my phone (and no, I am NOT an affiliate) and also Insight Timer App. There are many others out there if you do a search for meditation, so explore the options. Calm is a popular choice too.
I sometimes only meditate for 3 minutes, 16 minutes and up to 45 minute with guided meditations, because all days are NOT created equal with early school runs or late pick ups or library drop offs- whew, I try to fit just a quiet mediation in daily. Starting the same time of day (before the kids awaken) seems to work best as well. Find what works with your schedule.
Ocean waves make good meditation ambiance
And YES, meditation does work! It helps to stop those knee-jerk reactions to external events. It helps to keep calm in chaotic events. Yes, meditating makes me a better, healthier mom, heck, I am probably the quintessential modern meditating mom! Now if I could only get the kids to do it….
Things You Should Know Before You Meditate
1. Set some time alone- even if it’s 3 minutes. Early morning and before bed seem to work best for me. Start with one minute, then work up to 3, 5 & 10 or more if you can. (please make sure your kids are safe while doing this!)
2. Set a timer in case you fall asleep- I do (fall asleep, I mean!)
3. You can focus on a single point- I started with a candle flame like they do in the Wii Fit. Or close your eyes.
4. Breathe and focus on your breaths- slow, deep breaths.
The time passes quickly!
Do you mediate?
I had a quiet early morning meditation session on this riverbank in Helen, GA this past summer.