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HEALING YOU
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The Fourth Trimester can be tricky to navigate. Try these tips from renowned Peloton yoga teacher and new mom Dr. Chelsea Jackson Roberts to heal yourself through mindfulness.
YYOU’VE JUST BEEN through, undoubtedly, the greatest transformation of your life in becoming a mother. In fact, you’ve probably heard the adage before— When a baby is born, so too is the mother. Not only are there new normals and routines to learn and accept, but your body is on the mend from the incredible feat of growing and birthing a new person.
Healing yourself and navigating the challenges of the Fourth Trimester, or postpartum phase, can seem impossible, but we asked Dr. Chelsea Jackson Roberts to share her insights on using mindfulness and meditation to soothe your new mama mind, body, and soul.
TAKE YOUR TIME. Be patient with yourself! You just did something miraculous. Nothing about your existence will ever be the same and one way to honor this change is by starting a meditation practice that is as resilient and loving as you will be as a parent.
DO A LITTLE PREP. Oftentimes, you may hear, “sleep when your baby sleeps,” and that’s not bad advice. But, before you move into that sweet rest, I invite you to consider a five to a ten-minute meditation that may move you into a more mindful and peaceful nap.
JUST BE STILL. Breathe with your baby. After those middle of the night and early morning feedings, try placing your baby on your chest and feeling the rise and fall of both you and your baby’s breath. This is one of the best ways to connect with your baby and its life force: the breath.
TAKE MIND BREAKS. Schedule a short two to five-minute meditation after every feeding. This is one of the best ways to create a consistent practice that is not overwhelming. It also places your health and mindfulness at the center of your parenting journey as a reminder that your sustenance is one of the keys to your baby’s wellness.
WRITE THINGS DOWN. Keep a journal to document your progress, whether it’s positive or negative. Remind yourself of the positive affirmations you used when you were having a hard time and the amazing revelations you had during your meditation after that difficult, 4 a.m. feeding. Hopefully, you’ll look back at your journal entries with fondness and you find these precious first months and years of your new journey into parenthood intentional and rewarding.
