Controlling Stress

One thing Hope Yoga Studio's instructors are always reminding us is that we are the ones in control of our minds. We dwell on the past and stress about the future, when what we really need to do is let it go. The past is over, and the future isn't here yet - and this brings us to the never ending effort to stay present. But what happens if your present moment is overwhelming or stressful?

One thing I have repetitively told myself lately is this: things are only stressful if you allow them to be. This one little sentence may not seem like much, but it has helped tremendously. When both kids are screaming and I feel my tolerance plummet and my blood pressure rise, instead of lashing out and yelling (or crying), I take a moment to myself, breathe, and say aloud: things are only stressful if I allow it to be. These 10 little words completely level me, and I can then think with a clear mind - "Lyla missed her nap today. Hannah is bored in her seat and needs to be held" - Okay. I move forward, and do what needs to be done. Maybe Lyla needs a few minutes in her room alone to calm down - and now, I can tell her to do so calmly instead of lashing out, frustrated.

I use this sentence to help me get through the day, being the best mother/wife/person I can be. Anytime something isn't going as preferred or planned, it helps me take it for what it is, and move on. My best days are days where I feel I was fully present with my girls and husband - and this one sentence helps me reach this goal nearly every day.

Our mind is in our control, and this means stress, frustration, and overwhelming feelings too. Who wants to feel that way, anyway?

Yoga

I splurged and ordered a $70 yoga mat last week. Normally, I have anxiety attacks when I buy ANYTHING for myself because I'm always convinced I don't need it. However, this time, it's not something I thought twice about. Partially because we used our rolled-coin collection to buy it, but mostly because I know how much yoga has helped me. 

The $70 mat may sound extreme, but when you've gone through 2 other ones and slip and slide all over the place when you're supposed to be grounded - it doesn't make for a very yoga-esque mindset. So, I got the highly recommended non-slip pro. There. Justified. 

Anyway. Yoga fucking rocks. No other way to say it. Not only does it allow me to get out of my own head, but it's transformed my body to be more flexible and strong. I sleep better (between feedings), I run better, but best of all - I calm down easier, which has been an essential tool during these rough toddler times. 

I'm not perfect. I lose my cool, I raise my voice. But what yoga has taught me is that it's not about when you have these moments, but how quickly you recover from them. When I'm feeling overwhelmed, I've learned to walk away and focus on my breathing to bring myself back down to neutral. From there, I feel better equipped to deal with the situation at hand. And when I do overreact, I am quick to catch myself. I always find myself apologizing to Lyla when I become frustrated, and then explain why mommy felt that way. I remind myself that things are only stressful and overwhelming if you allow them to be. We create our own anxiety. If I don't want to feel that way, it's a simple as not allowing myself to. But getting out of your own head is, once again, easier said than done - especially in those moments where both kids are crying and everything seems chaotic. 

But yoga has given me the power to control myself, and use my energy where it needs to be, and keep it from where it doesn't. If I dwell on how hard a situation is, or how overwhelmed I feel, then I'm destined to struggle. If I remind myself that this moment will pass, and that tomorrow is a new day, then my glass is half full. Optimistic is the only way to be. 

So come on, Mr. UPS man, and bring me my ridiculously expensive but life saving mat!

Self Challenge

Staying present has more to do with the mind than the body. Sure, I can physically be on the floor with Lyla doing a craft, but if my mind is thinking of the lunch I need to make or the things I need to get to, by no means am I present with my daughter. The main thing I've noticed in my journey in mindfulness is how much I watch the clock. According to the clock, my day is planned out for me - and mainly revolves around food. 

Wake up: breakfast. Playtime until snack. Crafts until lunch, then nap. Activities until dinner. And finally, a bath and stories or tv show before bed. Like clockwork - literally. I even found myself thinking things like "okay, just another hour before I can start making lunch" - how terrible that I am planning things with Lyla in order to "eat up time" between meals, rather than enjoying them with her in the moment. 

So, I proposed a challenge to myself. One day, when we have nothing to do, I'm not going to look at the clock. I'm not going to countdown the hours until Eric gets home and I can go for my run. I'm not going to plan things according to how long they will take or how close to lunchtime they will bring us. I will feed Lyla when she tells me she's hungry, not when the clock strikes 11. I'll sit and play with my girls and let time fly by, blissfully unaware of the time frame I'm in. 

It sounds so simple, but knowing how often I check the time, I know it will be difficult. But I also know it will be worth it, and allow me to be one step closer to a clear mind and being fully present in motherhood. 

Here goes nothing. 

Introduction

I feel most compelled to write and blog after reading, attending yoga classes, or cooking. All 3 of these things give me new outlooks on my everyday living, and I always feel inspired afterwards; so, I started this blog for when writing inspiration hits. Some blogs may be spin-offs of an excerpt I read, some may be a thought or feeling that strikes after yoga, and others about my adventures in raw-cooking and how it effects my body, mood, and energy.

This new wholistic life style has truly made me feel like I am being the best person I can be, and I am eager to share this feeling and my adventure to get here.

Stay tuned, if you wish :)
xo