Happiness Habits for Newbie Moms: Tips to Lessen Parental Stress | ExpatWoman.com
 

Happiness Habits for Newbie Moms: Tips to Lessen Parental Stress

If you are a newbie mom living in Dubai there are things that you can do to lessen parental stress.

Posted on

17 December 2017

Last updated on 30 January 2018
Happiness Habits for Newbie Moms: Tips to Lessen Parental Stress
Are you a newbie mom living in Dubai? There are happiness habits that you can practice to lessen and manage parenting stress

We can’t stop the waves but we can learn how to surf!

Moms are performing the most vital job yet hardest of all! It is physically and emotionally exhausting therefore moms naturally are more prompt to stress. Stress is a natural reaction to the situation of danger, has a motivational function and is essential to survival. Yet, prolonged stress is very dangerous and is related to many health issues, namely cardiovascular diseases, stroke, as well as a psychological disorder like anxiety and depression. It has a power to significantly decrees well-being. And although one cannot change the difficulties related to motherhood it is possible to be prepared for them better! Through strengthening the immune system and mental well-being, mothers can be better prepared to resist stress and everyday difficulties.

There are few practices that aid preventing stress, namely mindfulness practices, self-compassion, genuineness and minimalism. 

Mindfulness Practice

Acceptance of your feelings which changes relationships with your own emotions is called the mindful way of living. Mindfulness understood as a moment to moment awareness without judgment and full self-acceptance is an essential part of self-growth and happiness. It is a lifestyle not necessary limited to meditation of yoga exercises. You may simply choose one activity performed on the daily basis during which you will practice mindfulness. It will certainly help moms be more present and societal sane.

Mindfulness is also a practice which leads to better self-awareness and self-understanding which are significant in preventing negative thoughts and stressful reactions. Mindfulness practice also teaches being aware of own stress meter – knowing when to step back and cool down. So start practising mindfulness today – make 30 minutes of time to identify stressors and plan to deal with them in constructive, distanced way.
 

Additionally, mindfulness allows strengthening the connection with your children and be tuned to their unique selves. Hence, mindfulness techniques are recommended to be introduced not only to parents but also to children at an early age, in order to facilitate their personal awareness and equip them in skills of dealing with difficult times of growing up. 

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Self-compassion

Another way of decreasing stress is to treat yourself with kindness and understanding instead of dragging yourself into the darkness of self-bullying. Self-compassion is being shown to be very powerful in dealing with depression. Low moods are at least partially an outcome off self-criticism. In instances of perceived failure or general suffering, it is essential to show yourself kindness like if you were to your best friend. Self-criticism is as powerful as an external reproach and usually even more harmful. By acknowledging your self-critical voice and reframing its observations in a more friendly way, you will eventually form the blueprint for changing how you relate to yourself and prevent from related low moods.

Do not act like a parent

Be yourself, leave the role. You are a best parent you can be just by being yourself. By leaving the role of a parent you will be not only able to understand and express yourself better but also will model such an attitude to your child. This facilitates communication between you and your child and her/his growth and enjoyment. Being genuine is therefore essential to forming happy relationships with your child.  

Enjoy your child 

The relationships between mom and a child is of high importance to both. Physical contact stimulates reliving of the happiness hormones which acts soothing to a neural system for mom and child. Spending time bonding is therefore essential to the health of mom and a child. However, it is also necessary for mom to take care of herself and find time only for her. It is nothing new to mention that moms have very little opportunities for self-care. It is therefore central to let yourself be helped or assisted. Tired mom can be less effective or express less enjoyment in the relationships with a child. Another important skill is tasks prioritization. If you have a moment of peace do not jump into the whirl of cleaning or cooking, instead, take a nap or relax performing some exercises. It is not essential to have a shiny apartment but to feel good and enjoy your child and motherhood. 

Minimalism

Less is more! Minimalism helps us make life simple and more meaningful! Focusing on what’s most important and living an authentic and connected life, are the keys to stress prevention. The minimalistic approach is also effective in bonding with your child. A child needs you and quality time spends with you. We cannot spoil by giving too many things that child needs. We can spoil only when we do give substitutes for those really important factors.
 
To summarize, as moms we cannot stop stressful things from happening by we can learn how to deal with them in a more productive way. It can be done with help of mindfulness practice, self-awareness and compassion, genuineness and acceptance. Enjoy being a mom not being perfect!
 
 

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