Winter got me like Ommm-my-gosh!
Most people automatically assume because I’m a yoga teacher that it makes me an uber chill mom. That I don’t yell, or get bothered by things.
Yes, I’m pretty chill most of the time and yes, I’ve learned to let things go that once would have turned me upside down and inside out.
However, even though we try to rise above, we are, after all, just human, so emotions can get the best of us-even yoga teachers.
Things are rough lately. February was a beast. The weather is…well, down right crummy,yucky and cold, and frankly…I’m over it. I’m dealing with a cute kid who’s almost 4 and a Tween. ( I know right!?!) While the oldest heads off each morning, I’m pretty much with the little one all day. Basically, we’re in toddler hell.
While he is insistent on becoming more independent, he is known for erratic mood swings and literally cannot make up his mind- he can tell me yes and no within the same sentence 5 times. But hey, he’s potty trained (whew)! Not to mention, he’s flat out hysterically funny and ridiculously too smart for his own good, so I’ll cut him a little slack.
So what’s a zen’d out yoga mom going to do when dealing with the winter blues and a three-nager?
1. When you can’t beat them, join them. Literally, I mean stop, drop and BE PRESENT. Get on their level and play. Put down the phone, the dishes and laundry can wait.
2. Breathe. Should be obvious right? Just like cuing it in a yoga class, it always seems to come as a new reminder, and a shock because YES, it actually works! It sends that much-needed signal to the brain for us to pause and reset.
3. Smile & Laugh…like a lot! Seriously laugh, like really laugh…until your belly hurts, then laugh some more. My oldest son is famous for negotiating (we keep telling him he’s going to law school) and lately with all the hormones swirling around he’s a beast. When he doesn’t get his way…Off-ta mean mom starts to boil and pretty soon we are all upset. So my new tactic is one warning, and then I change the subject and get silly. Laughter is the best medicine after all, and it’s contagious. Often times, we end up in an uncontrollable fit of laughter and both us forget what we were upset about in the first place.
4. Reinforcements! I don’t care if you call your mom, your sister, your brother, BFF or the lady next door! Call for reinforcements, even if you don’t have family or friends in the area, just talking to someone outside your home can bring reprieve. Plus a bonus with the little one, it doesn’t matter if I call the electric company my little guy is begging to get on the phone to “talk too”! Sometimes another voice helps them more than it helps you even if it’s a quick 2 minute conversation.
5. Pray, Seriously, pray. To whoever or whatever you believe in, just put it out there. Call me crazy but sometimes just the idea that I’m talking to someone AND they’re listening makes me feel better.
6. Yoga practice. For me personally, this is a no brainer. Yoga calms my mind and sets all things right. I can free flow and I’m reminded te be present, and be kind to myself (and the others around me) It urges me to let go of the small stuff and enjoy what’s really important on this amazing but crazy journey called life. If you haven’t practiced yoga, or you don’t have a mat, that’s okay. Roll out a beach towel , let go of your thoughts and just move your body.
7. Meditation. Okay, I know that I probably sound like a hippie granola mom by now- and you might be half right. But meditation is practiced by thousands of people, some that you might never expect. And if your imagining that I’m sitting super uncomfortably on a pillow with my legs crossed for 30 minutes in silence…think again. Most days my meditation is sprawled out on the floor, amoung the dinosaurs and sea creatures, ABC’s playing in the background, while the Megaldon (it’s a prehistoric shark, in case you were wondering) fights off the loudest dinosaur in the park. The best part of meditation is that you just go with it.
I know not all those reading have kids, or even grandkids that are present everyday in their lives, but these tips apply to everyone (even grow ups)! Be present, get active, laugh, breath, and Zen out. I wish all of you the best of luck in March as we continue to battle the elements. Just remember Spring will come, Summer will follow and the cold won’t last forever! You got this!
Namaste’
Jessica
#namastestudiomt #winterblues #springiscoming #tipstomakeitthrough