As a blogger and new mom, I find myself slowly but surely figuring out our new normal as a family. It has been trying at times and although I feel pulled in different directions, I am focused on staying connected to the here and now as often as possible. Essentially, living life with mindfulness and intent. For me, social media is a double-edged sword. It is such a fantastic way to connect with others while simultaneously forcing you to disconnect with those around you. Honestly, social media and IG Stories helped me very much in the early postpartum weeks while I was home alone and going a bit stir crazy. I would share highlights of my day or ask mom questions to my community and I responded to comments and questions about my new little babe. In a way, it made me feel less isolated from the outside world, but there were times I should have simply put the phone down and be more present. Maybe I could have slept for an extra 10 minutes or snuggled a bit longer, but I craved connection to the outside world.
Now that we are getting more sleep and I feel more like myself, I want to soak in every single second! When CJ was first born. Mindfulness was not something I had the luxury of practicing, but now, I find myself savoring the little moments. As many of you know and share, the first twelve weeks are simply survival mode. Your days revolve around eat, sleep, poop and there is not more time for anything else. Before I was a mom, my days were filled with different kind of stressors, but I had plenty of time to practice mindfulness throughout the day.
Mindfulness is defined as a mental state achieved by focusing one’s awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one’s feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations. Today, we have so much more on our plates as human beings. We are constantly inundated with information and rarely have time to simply sit and be without our minds being somewhere else! So today, I want to offer some tricks to help you become more mindful throughout your day!
Hydrate: Take time to drink water throughout the day! Water makes up about 50-75% of our bodies and the majority of people are walking around dehydrated and sluggish. If we do not drink enough water, our bodies simply cannot perform. So enjoy your H2O throughout the day and take notice of the effect it has on your mental clarity, energy, and metabolism.
Take Time to Breathe Every Few Hours: How often do you find yourself holding your breath from stress? Unfortunately for me, it is often. You do not have to dedicate a full hour of breathing or deep meditation but start slowly by deep breathing a couple of minutes at a time every day. Do it before and after a work meeting. Try it first thing in the morning or as the last thing you do at night. Try filling your lungs to full capacity and exhaling every last breath. You will feel relaxed and more connected to your body almost instantly.
Plug Your Phone in Away From You for an Hour Per Day: If I pick up my phone first thing in the morning, it leads me to be on it all day. I have started to practice “Mindful Mornings”. It is a group of healthy rituals I practice cell phone free and when my tasks are complete I can pick up my phone.
Savor the Flavor: It seems that eating on-the-go or scarfing dinner in front of the TV is the new normal. Slow down, enjoy your food. Especially if you just took the time to create a meal. Savor it. Pour a glass of wine. Have a conversation and don’t feel the need to Instagram your dish. It’s getting cold!
Set Yor Phone to Airplane Mode: Find a good time to set your phone to airplane mode for at least an hour. Use that time to simply be present in whatever you decide to do. Your e-mails and text messages can wait. Enjoy the quality family time, go for a walk or use that time to breathe and just be.
Listen to Music That Aids in Concentration: When was the last time you really listened to music? I love following Concentration Maximum on Spotify. When I have the time, I lay down with my headphones and enjoy the melodies. I love to do this on airplanes. It is the time I can zen out the most.
Get Out in Nature: Getting out in nature has so many health benefits! No matter where you live, getting out in nature can do wonders for the soul. Go on a hike, lay on a beach or swim in the ocean. Use this time as a reset button and appreciate the beauty around you!
Stretch and Move: If you spend hours at your desk, find time to get up and move! We are living in a sedentary age and lack of movement can wreak havoc on your body. Set a few alarms throughout the day to remind you to get up and move your body!
Fill Your Fruit Bowl: Literally. Food is medicine and a diet rich in whole foods like fruits and vegetables not only make a beautiful centerpiece but they fuel you from the inside out. Take time to appreciate the sweetness of a fresh piece of fruit and enjoy every bite.
Send a Thank You or Note of Appreciation: Bills. Bills. Credit card offers. Bills. How often do you get mail that excites you? These days, not too often. Take a moment to share gratitude for those around you! Keep a stack of thank you notes on hand and be detailed in your gratitude.
Take a Drive: Ever get somewhere and realize you do not know how you actually got there? Most days are spent on autopilot. Take time to take the scenic route if you can. The highway can add to anxiety. Here in Miami, I try to take A1A aka the beach as often as I can. I do not get nearly as aggravated as when I highway drive. I love to take in scenery and the beauty that Miami has to offer.
Mindfulness takes time and practice! We all get antsy, but as I look around restaurants and various other places, all I see are people looking down. Technology is wonderful, but you know what is also wonderful? Interaction with others and a connection to yourself. We all need time to unplug and destress so I hope today’s blog gives you a few ways to do just that!
