LIFE SKILLS: Mothers need to look after themselves
T HIS Sunday 14th March celebrates Mother's Day. What are you planning to do to acknowledge and appreciate the 'mother' in your life?
Before I ever became a mum I used to look at my mother with appreciation for all that she had done for me and my siblings. When I eventually became a mum, my appreciation for her took on a new level of growth. I look at her now in awe and with great admiration for her enduring commitment to her family.
Becoming a mother brings a whole range of wonderful and precious experiences but it can also be a time of high stress! Nothing can prepare the 'girl' within us all for the sheer relentless nature of motherhood! Sleepless nights, tantrums, endless childhood ailments not to mention the continuous demands and endless things to do! The cocktail of glamour and lazy days of doing nothing is soon replaced with tiredness & tension and a scramble to find time to relax and unwind.
As a mother we instinctively put ourselves at the end of the line, putting the needs and demands of everyone else first. The following are some simple but powerful tips and techniques for any mothers out there that could do with taking some 'me time' to reenergise and revitalise.
● Re - Balance Yourself – It is so easy to lose your head in the midst of all the demands and tantrums. Learn to breathe deeply from the abdomen. Thousands of people are breathing incorrectly without awareness of this and as a result become more stressed and overwhelmed. Take a deep breath in slowly, hold 5 counts, and breathe out slowly on a count of 7.
● Avoid Comparing Yourself – When you feel challenged and overwhelmed avoid comparing yourself to other mums. You would be surprised by how many other mums feel the same; even those mums you might think have perfect lives and perfect kiddies! Talking to someone you trust can offer a great sense of release and help you to see a new perspective.
● Know your limitations – much of our own stress is self induced driven by our need to be liked and accepted. Learn to say 'no' without guilt. Adults will learn to appreciate your honesty and your kids will learn boundaries
● Don't forget the family pet – Pets are a fantastic stress reducer! It is well established that stroking the family cat for example can lower blood pressure and walking the family dog can help increase your body's own natural happy chemicals – endorphins. Even watching your gold fish swim about can relax you!!
'Mum' may be small in words but it truly carries a big meaning for us all. Take time to nourish, appreciate and love the mother within your life and that includes yourself if indeed you are a mum too!
- Emily Hurley-Wilkinson
