MEDITATION FOR NEW MUMS
To be totally honest with you in the first few weeks after giving birth I didn’t really feel like moving much. Having had a very long labour and an emergency c-section I felt absolutely exhausted - walking was my go exercise to to get little Freddie asleep and to get out in the fresh air but I missed the peace of mind that my yoga practise ha given me on the mat. In those first fews weeks I turned to meditation as my form of relaxation and emotional support and it has since become a bigger part of my regular yoga practise. Being a parent brings with it lots of worry and it’s very easy to worry about things that don’t really matter! For me, no longer was my yoga practise about how to get into a headstand but it was about finding tools to support my wellbeing through the first few weeks of being a mum and the emotional rollercoaster that comes with it.
That’s why I have ensured that there are meditations and guided relaxations designed especially for mums in our Bump. + Beyond wellness series on The Online Studio. What’s more I realise that as a new mum your time is at a premium so all the meditations are less than 10 minutes long.
Read on below to discover the benefit of meditation and my top tips on getting started as a new mum.
Benefits of meditating as a new mum:
Reduces stress and anxiety
Lowers heart rate and blood pressure
Improves sleep quality (which we all know is key as a new mamma!)
Connects you with your every changing body
Enhances immunity
Reduces worries and fears as a new parent
As a new mum all of these things become even more important as you look after this new little life in front of you. The more I took 5-10 minutes a day to breathe, close my eyes and listen to a meditation the more I could focus on what was important and worry less. Connecting back to myself, my body, my mind and relaxing for those few moments are invaluable and it’s a practise that I’ve kept up 6 months into motherhood too.
And for those who are maybe new to meditating, here are a few of my top tips:
Start small. The most effective meditation practice is one that’s done consistently, so start with meditations that are short that you can do often. As a new mum I know you don’t have much time spare but even 5 mins whilst baby naps will change your outlook and mindset.
Expect your mind to wander. Meditation isn’t actually about emptying your mind of thoughts. Each time your mind wanders off know that it’s ok, simply notice it and then return your awareness to your breath and your practise.
Listen to a guided meditation. Meditating without guidance can be very difficult. We have so many amazing guided meditations and relaxations available on The Online Studio, so why not start by listening to one of those and following the guidance of your teacher (me!). My personal favourites include the Connect to Your New Mamma Self and the Meditation for Sleep (good for getting back to sleep after those midnight, 1am, 2am, 3am feeds!)
Practise Compassion. Starting something new isn’t easy, especially when you’ve just given birth so be sure to practice compassion, kindness and patience with yourself as you learn to meditate.