I'm so delighted and proud to say that I have passed my first level of Teaching Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy with the British Mindfulness Institute. My own mental health as a mum has been so powerfully enhanced by MBCT techniques in the writing of The Supermum Myth (such a huge learning curve for me and one that definitely has changed my life!), and I can't wait to bring this knowledge and insight into my pre- and postnatal workshops and classes. I'm also launching my MIND-BODY for Mums toolkit, so watch this space.
Here's a mini meditation which you can do daily (multiple times a day if you need to!), to check in with your body, your mind, your tension, your heart. Even just building in awareness day to day can help ease any pressure and allow you a bit of insight about how you're doing, which can keep the pot from boiling over. A mini mediation is perfect for feeling like it's not something 'extra' to add to your To Do list but something that you can slot into the gaps. 2 minutes here, 3 minutes there. Can be done anytime, anyplace - at softplay, in the playground, wherever you are.
Mind, Body, Heart Mini Meditation
Sit up a bit taller. Softly close your eyes, or gaze down at the floor. Take 3 deep, slow, conscious breaths. As you breathe:
Mind: Take a moment to notice what thoughts are here. Stories, images, planning, memories, critique...what is the narrative that is most loud today? Notice your thoughts, and imagine each as a butterfly. Are there thousands of butterflies jostling for space? Can you notice them, and allow them to release? Are there some that just stick around refusing to budge? Try not to get caught up in your thoughts, simply let them be noticed. See them as separate mental events, not as part of you. Try not to judge or label: they aren't good, or bad, they just are.
Heart: What emotions are you feeling? Can you identify what is the 'loudest' emotion present? Anger? Sadness? Happiness? A mixture? How strong is the energy from your emotion? Do you feel any physical sensations related to it, once you've noticed it?
Body: check in with your body. Notice what's happening - what's the weather like? How do you feel? Tension? Aches, pains? How's your energy level? Don't try to change anything or judge what you notice, just be open to it, listen to what your body is saying.
Now, continue to breathe and expand your awareness to your whole self – what are you feeling right now in mind, heart, body, breath. Breathe, deeply, fully, here for as long as you have available - be that 1 minute or 20.
Allow this spacious awareness to continue to take in sensations, thoughts, emotions as they arrive and as they leave, like waves onto the shore.
