Easy Ways To Be A More Mindful Mom
“Adopt the pace of nature. Her secret is patience.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
Do you feel like you are living your life as a mama on high speed? Are you constantly racing from meeting one of your family’s needs to the next without a moment’s peace? Perhaps you long for your pace to slow so that you can truly appreciate and value what is most precious to you; yet you don’t know how. Slow living feels constantly out of your reach. Maybe you desire to be a more mindful mama yet don’t know how it could be possible with the frantic rushing, lists and endlessly growing demands on your time.
Waldo’s quote above about taking our lead from nature is truth indeed for us as busy mamas. Indeed, slow living has a lot to do with embracing the great outdoors. Similarly, you will naturally become a more mindful mama when you enjoy the immense emotional, mental and physical benefits which time in nature bestows upon you. For it is when we are surrounded by God’s glorious creation that we will find the patience and joy to embrace slow living and parent as a mindful mama. Psalm 19 verse 1 tells us that “The heavens declare the glory of God, the skies proclaim the work of his hands”. God made us to know love and fulfilment through motherhood. Here in this blog, I will lead you through some practical ways in which to embrace slow living and be the mindful mama you dream of.
Spend As Much Time Outdoors As You Can
Yes, time spent exploring, gardening, playing, walking or simply being in nature is beneficial for every aspect of your wellbeing. Research tells us that “experiences in nature promote psychological and cognitive, physiological, social, and spiritual well-being and health” [1]. As mothers, we may be sleep-deprived, feel under pressure, be trying to balance the different areas of our lives or perhaps all of these! How much more, then, do we need to embrace slow living; get outdoors; and reap the wonderful and plentiful benefits which nature has to offer us. Yes, you will be a more mindful mama when you breathe in the fresh outdoors air, look upon the colours and variety of the flowers and trees which surround you and still your racing mind.
Indeed, Psalm 46 verse 10 tells us to “Be still and know that I am God”. In order to be the mindful mama that you dream of, and parent from a place of patience of fullness, you need to know God’s touch and love upon your life. Many of us find this easiest when we stand amongst His glorious creation. Our children too will know more peace and fulfilment through their play when they spend as much time outdoors as possible. The research tells us that play in nature is the highest form of play; it is the type of play which enables the most freedom and creativity [2]. Slow living is a lifestyle which can benefit each and every member of our families; from the youngest to the oldest. Indeed, when we ourselves learn to get outdoors as much as possible and embrace slow living; our families are likely to follow our example. Children know better emotional regulation when they play outdoors. This, in turn, makes it easier for us to parent as a mindful mama. Indeed, being a mindful mama and embracing slow living have a harmonious relationship; each impact the other for good. Time spent in nature encircles these two and benefits both learning to slow down and mindfulness in motherhood.
Spending time in nature brings us fulfilment and focuses us on the beauty of the present.
This enables us to embrace slow living; to prioritize those parts of our life and relationships which are most precious to us and bring us most joy.