I can remember a time in my life when my kids were little, my business was brand new, and I was feeling overwhelmed, crazy, and way too busy. I spent a weekend at Canyon Ranch to recharge, and a therapist there recommended that I try meditation. When I got home, I decided to try it. I lit a candle in my room, locked the door, sat cross-legged in the corner and started focusing on my breathing. All of a sudden I heard banging on my door. The banging soon turned into the sound of my daughter hurling her body against the door. I can still hear the sound of her getting a running start down the hallway, then the full-speed propulsion of her little body against the unstoppable force of my locked bedroom door. Over and over again. That girl is nothing if not persistent. Needless to say, my attempts at meditation didn’t work in those days. But now, 10 years later, meditation is one of the reasons I live a sane and happy and grounded life despite 4 kids, 1 business, and a puppy. There is a ton of information out there on the “how to” and “why” of meditation, so I’m going to focus here on why it’s important for us as busy moms.
- Meditation helps you focus
The practice of mindfulness meditation is so simple. All you need to do is sit in a quiet place and focus on your breathing. When thoughts come, as they inevitably do, simply observe them and then let them go and gently bring your focus back to your breathing. This daily practice of intentional focus helps train your mind to focus in all areas of life.
- Meditation reduces stress and anxiety
Meditation reduces the “fight or flight” reaction by creating a state of deep relaxation in which our breathing slows down, our pulse rate and blood pressure decreases, and our feeling of connection to our source energy increases. Training our bodies to achieve this state of deep relaxation with a daily meditation practice elevates mood and reduces stress and anxiety.
- Meditation makes you healthier
Studies show that stress reduction is one of the most vital keys to living a healthy life. Chronic stress is a source not only of unhappiness, but is also a risk factor for serious illnesses like heart disease, not to mention less serious but still difficult conditions like migraines and digestive issues.
- Meditation helps you respond instead of react
Meditation creates space in your life, and in that space you have the power to observe what’s happening and respond consciously, rather than reacting in anger or stress or upset. One of the trickiest things for us as moms is finding the time on our already crowded to-do lists. My recommendation is to meditate at the same time every day, preferably early in the morning. Wake up, meditate for 10 minutes, then start your day. If you want more information about meditation, check out
Wherever You Go, There You Are by Jon Kabat-Zinn and
10% Happier by Dan Harris. Have you tried meditation? Tell us about it in the comments below!
