Summer is in full swing. For some mommas, this means a carefully crafted schedule of summer school, sitters, activities, and camps. For others, it means the kids are out of school and you are now full-time care until Fall. Or, you may find yourself somewhere in the middle. No matter where your summer schedule falls, you will likely need to be able to access some mindfulness skills. In fact, these skills can be useful whether you have kids, pets, or even a houseplant to keep track of.
Stress. Burnout. Overwhelm.
We’re all a little “extra crispy” right now. Entering into COVID Summer 2.0, we’ve all been pent up too long and have too much on our minds. Whether or not to vaccinate, wear a mask, travel, stay put, do life “like normal”, or find some mix of everything…it’s impossible to truly know where to land. So, we’re doing the next right thing. That’s all we can do. If you have kids, you are likely also weighing the pros/cons of all of the above with the realities that young children cannot get vaccinated (and may or may not actually wear their masks) and need to get back to being kids ASAP. Then, there are the extended family and friends with various attitudes and opinions to contend with. What in the world is a momma to do right now? It’s emotionally exhausting, mentally draining, and totally overwhelming.
“Like it or not, this moment is all we really have to work with.” ~ Jon Kabat-Zinn
What is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness is simply the act of being present in the present moment. Moment-to-moment Awareness, with non-judgment. You can practice mindfulness with daily meditation. Or, you can access some tools from your mindfulness toolbox just as you need them. Finally, you can use prompts or cards to give you a place to start with mindfulness activities on a regular basis. While there are different schools of thought on mindfulness, there is no one “right way” to be.
“I don’t know of any magical solutions and, frankly, I’m not looking for one. A full life is painted with broad brush strokes. Many paths can lead to understanding and wisdom. Each of us has different needs to address and things worth pursuing over the course of a lifetime. Each of us has to chart our own course, and it has to fit what we are ready for.” ~ Jon Kabat-Zinn
A Menu of Options For Mindfulness
In that spirit, I want you to take some time here to explore a few different mindfulness options. A menu, if you will. Of course, there are multitudes, but I want to make sure you have some concrete options to try first. Because who has time to take a full class or do all of the research? Yeah, right. Here are some options for you to do on your own, or even as a family.
- The Mindfulness Body Scan
- TL/DR…Shorter, on Time.com
If you are crafty, or just enjoy creating, consider an abstract coloring book or creating abstract art. You could even get your kids involved with something like this from Cosmic Kids.
Set a timer or use a “bell” app like Mindful Mynah to cue you to take a break and center back to your breath during the day and evening. It doesn’t have to be loud or long. Just something to remind you to take that moment to pause and re-focus. Grounding yourself in the present moment no matter what is going on in the chaos of life.
If you need something tangible and directive, there are mindfulness cards for all ages available! A quick search showed me tons of options for adults, kids, and families. Again, this doesn’t have to be big or complex. Just a way to ground yourself (and maybe even those around you) to what is going on in this moment.
Finally, if it comes down to it…take your moments wherever you need to. The car, the bathroom, the kitchen, the garden, in line for coffee. It doesn’t matter. You’re a mom. You basically have superpowers. So, channel your inner shero and take the best care of yourself that you can. You’re worth it, momma.
Begin Therapy for Women in Florida
If you are looking for a therapist who specializes in helping women, I am here to support you. Let’s get you grounded. Feeling more fulfilled and full of life. To begin counseling in-person or online therapy for women in Florida, follow these three steps:
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Contact Counseling Solutions of Boward to schedule your free 20-minute consultation on a video platform,
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Meet with me, Enid, and let’s get started!
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Finally, feel the peace and fulfillment you’ve been searching for since becoming a mother.
Other Services Offered at Counseling Solutions of Broward:
Enid De Jesus offers a variety of mental health services for women at her counseling clinic in Broward County, FL. Her goal is to create lasting transformative change and growth in your life. So, she offers anxiety treatment, depression treatment, counseling for imposter syndrome, after divorce counseling, relationship counseling for one, and co-dependency treatment. For more information on counseling, please check out her what to expect page or contact her counseling office.
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