You’re a busy mom. You have a lot on your plate, from work to kids’ activities to family relationships. There are tantrums, meals to prepare, daily needs, and so much more that make parenting extremely challenging.
In short, it’s not always easy to recognize proper parenting techniques or have the patience you need to get through your day.
What’s the solution? Consider meditation. Countless studies reveal the powerful effect of meditation on the mind and body.
The Many Benefits of Meditation According to a Pew Research Center survey, feeling stressed, tired, rushed, and short on quality time is very common among parents, especially those who are working. These symptoms are doubled when the parenting is done primarily by one parent.
Another survey revealed that 88 percent of working parents can suffer from stress-related health problems, with at least 43 percent struggling with anxiety or depression.
No one needs to tell you how stressful parenting can be, but you should know that it doesn’t have to be like this all the time. You owe it to yourself to step back and analyze your current situation through meditation.
Meditation can be a window to a calmer, more peaceful soul, and you’ll be a better parent because of it. Research shows that regular meditation makes people physically healthier, more productive, less depressed and anxious, and more confident.
Here are some further benefits of those who meditate regularly:
More Compassion
Compassion is crucial as a mom who wants to make lasting connections with her kids. Even if you’re tired and don’t want to listen to any more crying, you often need compassion just to get through it.
You’ll also experience greater self-compassion, which can be hugely relieving. You can stop worrying about messing up your kids and stop dwelling on mistakes. Forgiving yourself and moving forward is one of the most important steps to being a better parent, and meditation can help you get there.
Greater Happiness
Meditation helps you tune in with what makes you truly happy. You can let the stresses and anxiety of parenting melt away while you focus on your personal needs and wants. Oftentimes, those are in line with what your kids need and want. Meditating can help you to live in the moment, giving you more joy while your kids are still around.
Stronger Problem-Solving Skills
You solve problems every single day—or, at least you attempt to solve them. Sometimes, you don’t always know the best way to handle a situation, but it’s much easier if you let yourself sit back and think without interruption. When you tune out electronics, kids, and other daily distractions for just five minutes, you can more clearly see the solution to any given problem.
Added Patience
Patience is one of the biggest benefits of meditating. Most people who practice meditation regularly report developed patience.
Patience is often the key to great parenting. You might not feel like listening closely as your kids complain, or you might feel like flying off the handle when they’ve ignored your instructions for the umpteenth time, but patience helps you reign it in. It’s your answer to many problems, and meditation can help you get there.
Fitting Meditation into Your Schedule
Reading these ideas on meditating for better parenting might seem wonderful on the surface, but how can you fit this necessity into your busy schedule? Here are some strategies that work for the busy mom:
Take a Retreat
If you don’t think you have time for meditation during your busy routine, get away from your routine altogether. Leave the kids with dad or a babysitter for a day or two and take a meditation retreat. You’ll learn the basics of meditation and practice for extended periods of time. It’s a great way to get you started in the art of meditation and prioritize it in the future.
Do Short Sessions Daily
Meditation doesn’t have to be an hour long. You can meditate for five minutes every day, and still reap the rewards. Squeeze this in during nap time or after the kids go to bed.
Do One Long Session Weekly
An hour-long meditation session is unlikely on a daily basis, but it can be accomplished at least once per week. Shutting out the world and focusing on your inner thoughts can reduce stress and give you energy for the day.
Just Breathe
Meditation doesn’t always mean sitting cross-legged with your hands on your knees. Sometimes, you only have to breathe to get the same effect. When you’re about to lose it, take 10 slow breaths. You’ll be amazed at the power of breathing deeply.
Go to Your Happy Place
Another tactic for handling difficult situations is to imagine yourself in a place that makes you feel calm and happy. Instead of getting angry, go to this happy place. Like breathing deeply, this mindful interaction will save you from making a parenting mistake you might regret later.
Meditation isn’t a cure-all, but it’s an excellent parenting aid when times get tough. It helps you focus on what’s truly important and gets you through difficult challenges.
Written by Natalie Bracco, licensed through the Matcha publisher network.
Featured image provided by Ksenia Makagonova