a healthy mIndset 7 ways to keep a healthy mindset as a new parent Happy Melon’s Meditation Lead, Sacha Stewart, supported by Corporate Wellness Lead and mama of three Sally Murchie share seven tips for a healthy mindset as a new parent. Use these practical tools to stay uplifted and to tap into your positive potential to move with confidence through the newness of parenthood and to continue mindfully parenting with a sense of peace and ease for years to come.
Keep a good routine Kick start your day with some good habits that will set you up for success. Setting a regular wake up time, starting with a refreshing shower (baby in the bouncer or bassinet watching is fine!) and getting dressed (yes, out of your PJ’s!) should be your AM routine go to’s. Throughout the day, make sure you get lots of fresh air (walks are your new best friend!) and then be sure to wind down and go to bed at the same time each night. The most important thing during this time is to be kind to yourself and constantly remember that you are doing your best in every moment. Perhaps after a ‘bad’ night, the best thing for you is that extra hour of sleep while bub sleeps! It’s all okay. To keep yourself on track, write down 1-3 intentions for your day. These can be anything at all that you would like to commit to that day. In this way, you can look back on your day and see that it has some structure which will give you a sense of fulfilment. Not only have you cared, nurtured and unconditionally loved your beautiful little bub, but you have also walked around the block, taken a bath, nourished your body with good food, or in some other small way been kind to yourself!
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Breathe With so much going on in your world and the long list of adjustments you’ve had to make in welcoming your little one into your life; with the severe lack of sleep and the rollercoaster of hormones, it’s understandable that stress and anxiety can, and almost undoubtedly will arise. One of the best tools you have to keep calm is your breath. Simple breathing exercises to try: - Breathe into your belly for a count of 4, and out for a count of 6. When you exhale for longer than you inhale you bring yourself out of ‘fight-flight-freeze’ and activate your calmer, more rational neurological response. You’re signalling to your mind and body that you are safe and everything is okay. Another great tool is to simply S.T.O.P - Stop (in the moment, whatever you’re doing) - Take a breath (long inhale for 4, longer gentle exhale for 6) - Observe (ask yourself ‘how and what am I feeling?’) - Proceed (a little calmer, perhaps a little more in control, with gentle, compassionate selfawareness)
Be in the moment We’ve never needed meditation and mindfulness more than we do now. The more you can be in the present moment, the more you will feel a bit more at peace and a bit more at ease in your life. Now could be the perfect time to give meditation a go if you’ve never tried it before, or commit to making it a part of your regular routine. Happy Melon offer 25min Meditation classes throughout the week that can help you to develop your practice. Our Monday 8.45am class is complimentary each week if you want to dip your toe in to see how it feels.
