Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, parents have had to navigate every challenge thrown their
way while supporting their children during this difficult and uncertain time. In order to stay
relaxed and manage your stress, you may want to consider practicing meditation. For parents,
meditation is a simple way to wind down and put your mind at ease. If you’re wondering how to
get started, these tips will guide you through the process! This article is just one example of the
valuable content you can find on the King of Prussia Doulas blog.
Dive Into the Benefits
It’s easy to assume that meditation will be boring or frustrating. But when you read up on the
numerous benefits, your assumptions might change! Prevention states that meditation can
lower your stress levels, reduce your risk of depression, and even bring down inflammation in
your body. In fact, practicing both meditation and yoga brings even more benefits. We Know
Yoga states that doing yoga can help to regulate your nervous system — you’ll sleep better and
feel more confident over the long term.
Establish a Meditation Space
You might be worried that you won’t be able to create a meditation space in your home,
especially if your house has gotten cluttered! It’s time to organize your belongings and deep
clean your house to make room. You can even encourage your kids to pitch in with the process!
To set up your space, you can use a pillow or meditation cushion for comfort. Try to decorate
your space in a way that makes you feel relaxed; for instance, you could place houseplants or
fresh flowers in the room.
Finding the Time
As a parent, it can be hard for you to find time for yourself, especially when your whole family is
spending most of their time at home because of the pandemic. If your children take naps, that
could be the perfect opportunity for you to sneak in a few minutes of meditation. You could also
try meditating early in the morning or right after your children go to bed.
How to Meditate
How should you approach your first meditation session? To get started, sit down on your
cushion with your back straight. If you need support for your back and shoulders, you could also
try sitting in a chair with your feet flat on the floor. Set a timer for however long you want to
meditate – for your first time, you’ll probably want to sit for about ten to fifteen minutes. Close
your eyes, and start taking slow, deep breaths. To stay focused on your breathing, try counting
to four every time you inhale or exhale.
Taking Your Practice Further
Even if you have limited time to meditate, you may find yourself wanting to enhance your
practice in some way after a few sessions. You have a few options! You could choose a mantra
that you want to embody during the day and repeat it in your head as you meditate. You might
also want to keep a journal to track and compare your sessions. Finally, if you have older
children, you can even encourage them to meditate with you if they’re interested!
This pandemic has been particularly stressful for parents, and whether you have toddlers or
teenagers at home, you need an outlet for stress relief. Meditation is the perfect way to clear
your mind and relax. When you can find a little time for yourself, practicing meditation will help
improve your mood, which can change the whole atmosphere in your household.
Are you welcoming a new baby into your family? Find the support you need with King of Prussia
Doulas! Call us today at 610-564-1827 to learn more about our services for new parents.
Guest Blog by: Emily Graham from MightyMoms
