Stop - Take a Breath! Words Venetia Moore Photo Kelly Ryan Creative
Have you ever thought, ‘Stop the world, everything is moving too fast?’ This article looks at how some simple mindful breaths can slow your world down so that you make clearer, more relaxed, healthy decisions in your everyday life, and as a result, feel more confident. Parenting can be a mixture of joys and challenges, and you may be feeling that it’s proving to be far more challenging than you expected. No one can really prepare us fully for the complexity of parenting; there’s no college or university course to enlighten or equip us in advance. We can read all the books, google and talk to other parents, but the truth is we just have to jump in and experience it to truly learn how to be a parent.
so many people are feeling so stressed and overloaded. Being a new parent means leaning into the mystery of life, the unknown, which can sometimes make us feel disorientated, and anxious. If you do, you are certainly not alone! Everyone is different, and time and space is naturally needed for things to change and settle.
In reality our days can be a jumble of practicalities, surprises, chaotic spins, and extraordinary heart-warming moments. Becoming a parent opens us up to a new chapter in our lives; as our children grow and develop, so do we! Situations arise, giving us an opportunity to discover new depths within us, of emotions, joys, strengths, and sometimes exposing aspects of ourselves we just don’t like!
The general pace of life has sped up to a point that stress is now an habitual part of it. When we feel anxious or stressed, physiological and psychological responses automatically occur in the mind and body, these are referred to as ‘fight, flight or freeze.’ Such as: » Adrenaline is released into the bloodstream » Heart rate increases » Cytokines proteins are produced causing inflammation » Cortisol levels impair clear thinking, and it’s harder make good decisions » Feelings of irritation and anger » Feeling overwhelmed, tearful and anxious » Persistent stress can lead to higher risk of cancer, heart disease, accelerated ageing and depression
There is such pressure today to be a ‘Super Parent,’ to efficiently juggle work, the home, and relationships while finding time to document it all on Facebook and Instagram! It is no wonder
Taking responsibility for our health and wellbeing means it is time for us to consciously slow things down and make a little space for a moment or two. In doing so, we can feel more
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