by Natalie Ismiel

Some mornings on the Northern Beaches can be pure magic, with mist over the lake and the smell of salt in the air! On other days, it can be a frazzling conundrum of lost homework and mismatched socks as you run out the door for the school drop-off. If you’re a mum, like me, you know exactly what I’m talking about.

Even with the most stunning beaches at our doorstep, most Mums can’t imagine making time to take a barefoot walk on the sand. Stretched to capacity, all day every day; then, ending the week with a sense of exhaustion and burnout. Sound familiar?

It took me years to realise that mindfulness isn’t a chore to add to my to do list.  It is a lifestyle choice that was mine to make and with some small, intentional steps I soon realised that I had the capacity to gradually enhance the quality of my life.

Being mindful is a daily practice, and as you go about your daily life, doing what we all do as Mums – here are some simple, tried and tested positive steps you can take immediately to add a sense of calm to your daily routine:

Commit and Be Consistent with a mindfulness practice that works for you. Whether that’s a weekly yoga class, a barefoot walk on our beautiful Northern Beaches, or keeping a daily journal. Choose something that has meaning for you and commit to this “you” time. For me, it’s at least 20 minutes of mindful movement or a pranayama breath practice. This sets me up for the day.

Use your Breath as we manoeuvre daily life there will be ups and downs … supermarket meltdowns, carpool challenges and the occasional lost shoe. When these things happen, instead of gritting your teeth, and charging up your nervous system (which isn’t good for our physical and mental health) why not try a simple, yet profound breathing technique?

Take a moment and become aware of your conscious breath; what is your breath doing?

• Posture: Sit comfortably (if you can sit), as you lengthen your spine. Place one hand on your belly, one on your chest. Gently close your eyelids.
• Breath: Breathe in deeply through your nose, feeling the breath expand into your hands, then breathe out as you draw the navel in towards the back of your spine.
• Repeat: For 3 to 5 breaths, or 2 to 5 minutes.
• Reset: Return to this technique any time you need to reset – it will reset your nervous system back to calm.

I used this exact technique six years ago, when I was in labour with my son Billy, and the midwives told me they’d never seen such a calm mother-to-be. If I was able to control my labour pains with this technique, imagine how much easier the 3:15pm pickup line will be with a few easy breaths!

What You Let In Matters

Be conscious of your surroundings. What are you listening to? What are you watching and reading?

Is the content you are consuming good for your mind and body?

Ask Yourself: Is this nourishing me? If it doesn’t resonate with you, turn it off, stop reading it or walk away.

Pause on Purpose

After years of rushing through life, I learnt to meditate though my yoga practice, now I use my breathing practices and meditation techniques to purposefully pause, reflect and continue to heal.

It doesn’t take years of study to simply be present. Over time, small pauses teach us to move through life with ease, feeling lighter and happier in our own skin. For me, yoga is a great way to relieve stress, improve flexibility, and increase strength.

Simplicity & Mindfulness

All you need is ten minutes, a breath and the willingness to listen when your body’s trying to tell you something.

Next time you’re stuck at school pickup or there’s a chorus of “MUM” being yelled at you from every corner of your home – try the hand-on-heart,  hand-on-belly breath.

Three to five rounds. See what shifts.

See how YOU feel.

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