Being a busy mother can be quite overwhelming and I often need relaxation. It was difficult to relax for me and now I understand why. I simply did not know how to do it right. I tried three techniques and I find them very effective. I would also like to add that these techniques are most effective when combined. I will focus on each of the three techniques I tried in detail. I practiced them for a month and I achieved quite significant results.
The first technique to consider is meditation. I have to admit that it was quite difficult at the beginning. Focused on two meditation techniques, breathing and mindfulness meditation. When it comes to breathing, it was quite challenging for me to take deep breaths at first. I focused on my breathing and I noticed that it was far from natural at first.
In fact, I was rather frustrated and I thought it was all my fault I could not do it. Nonetheless, after a week of training, I discovered the meditation was beneficial for me. I still focused on my breathing but now that concentration helped me to relax. After each session, I felt more relaxed.
As for mindfulness meditation, it was easier for me. One of greatest challenge was to find the right time and place for meditation. My children take up quite a lot of my time. However, I managed to handle it. I also have specific music I am listening during my meditation. It is very relaxing. I love the ocean and when I am meditating, I imagine a palm by the ocean. I focus on the tree, water and nice warm light breeze. I find this method of relaxation quite quick and very effective. I love meditating now.
As seen from the meditation strategy I chose, I like visualizing. For me, visualizing was even easier than mindfulness meditation. I loved telling stories to my children when they were little. Clearly, it is very easy for me to make up stories. I practiced visualizing three times a day: when I got up, during the day and when I went to bed. I used three major concepts: ocean, my children’s achievements and dancing.
In the majority of cases, I used specific music to help me focus on my stories. When I was thinking about the ocean, I was picturing myself swimming or lying in the sun. I also paid attention to some details. For example, I could hold an interesting shell in my hands or I could watch fish swimming around me.
When picturing my children, I saw them during some sport events. I also imagined them at school. Those were theatrical performances, reports and sometimes graduation. I am always watching my children and then talking with teachers and other parents.
When I focused on dancing, I pictured myself dancing various dances. I love ballroom dancing so I picture myself dancing waltz, tango, salsa, foxtrot and so on. Music playing helps me a lot. When visualizing, I manage to relax quite quickly. I am totally focused on the stories and this makes me more relaxed.
Nutrition is another method to achieve relaxation. I would like to note that I knew that healthy eating was important but I never really tried to take control over my diet. A month ago, I changed my attitude towards my meals.
First, I got rid of coffee and tea. I started drinking juice and mineral water. I am trying to drink less sparkling water but I sometimes do. I eat dark chocolate and in quite insignificant quantity (especially when compared to my previous obsession with chocolate). I believe this part was the toughest for me. I have never put too much salt so I have not reduce the amount of salt consumed in my family.
Of course, now I am eating a lot of fruit and nuts that are rich in Vitamins B, C and magnesium. I must say that I did not feel immediate improvement as the change of diet habits has long-tern outcomes.
I would like to add that I noticed improvements a week after I started. I believe visualization and meditation helped me relax during the day and I felt less stressed. I sometimes used meditation when I felt overwhelmed and I felt I could simply explode. After a month of the combination of the three relaxation methods, I felt I became less stressed out. I would not say my life became different but I noticed that my attitude towards many events and episodes really changed.
Of course, this does not mean that I am super calm all the time. I sometimes feel overwhelmed or stressed out. However, I know how to relax. I also know how to start a day with positive attitude. I believe the three strategies will help me be more relaxed. Of course, I understand that I have to be persistent and do not forget to eat healthy food and meditate.