As a mama to four little guys… let’s just say I’m feeling pretty crazy lately.
Ezrah is just over 3 weeks old and my hormones are still trying to regulate themselves. How long does this mess take anyway?!
Do I feel sad? Nope… not a bit. Do I feel stressed and overwhelmed? Bingo! Is this normal or is it related to my hormones? Probably both. What triggers these feelings for me? What doesn’t! How do I respond to these feelings? I’m completely irritable! As in, quick… run to the other room… she’s mad again!
From a crying baby, to 3 loud older children, to a messy house, to home-schooling struggles, to endless to-dos for my business and the Bulk Herb Store blog, to all the house projects the man and I have planned, to the man himself saying things to me that come across as insensitive… AAAHHHGHGHGHGHAHAHZWEGEW;OHVZSJG;!!!!!
Okay, so yes, I’ve got A LOT going on, and this time of having a newborn and crazy hormones that make me feel like I can’t keep my junk together is a tough period in my life. I don’t remember it being this way after the births of my other little guys, but I definitely have more on my plate now than I did then.
So what am I doing about it?
Well I’m working on eating healthy foods, getting outside in the sun and fresh air every single day, getting out of the house (on my own and with the family), forgetting a good bit of the things I’m “supposed” to be doing, cuddling with my sweet babe, counting my blessings, and taking some natural supplements to help balance my hormones which I’ll be telling you about in a later post.
But what about the here and now?
The things above take a bit of time. It’s not like balancing hormones or adjusting to the changes a newborn brings about in your life happen over night. No, not at all, but I do have another little trick up my sleeve that is helping me to keep it together when the feelings of stress and overwhelm come flooding through my veins.
Today I want to tell you about it because whether you have a newborn and post-partum homones or you’re just a busy mama, this can help you take a little time for you and get your act together so you don’t loose it when you shouldn’t. I call it the…
“Get Your Junk Together” Relaxation Technique
Now this relaxation technique is a bit like meditating (as far as I know), but don’t let that scare you away. I’m not gonna get all woo-woo or new agey on you because I’m simply not into that.
What this does is it helps me “get away” and relax a bit in order to get myself together. Sometimes I only need to do it once a day, other times I need to do it multiple times a day. It’s like my proverbial cigarette… only it’s natural and healthy.
Here’s how I do it.
First, I get the baby drunk on milk which helps him sleep (not too hard) and then get my older boys busy doing something else so that it’s quiet(er) in my house (a bit more difficult).
Next, I sneak off to my office, close the door, sit at my desk which faces a big open window that lets the light shine in. I open my bottle of Stress Relief (an essential oil synergy blend from Eden’s Garden – LOVE!), and I put it close to my nose where I can smell just enough of it. I inhale deeply then exhale fully. I do this 4-5 times so that my lungs feel like they have all new, fresh, clean air in them, and my mind has calmed thanks to the essential oils. Did you know it only takes around 20 seconds for inhaled essential oils to reach your brain and blood stream? Yep, it’s fast!
After I’ve taken my cleansing breaths, I sit still and start relaxing and focusing on how my body feels… starting at my feet and working up to my head. I note areas of tension and I work to relax them. I note areas that don’t feel well so I can address those later.
After I’m good and relaxed, I quietly think on this mantra that I came across recently. “BE HERE NOW.” What does that mean to me right now? How can I do this? I also think about the things (big and small) that I’m grateful for, and I think about what life would be like if I didn’t have these little “distractions or stesses” in my life. I usually come to the conclusion that my life is good, and I just need to relax and make today the best day it can be.
Lastly, I take a few more cleansing breaths with my essential oils, I open my eyes, and I verbally thank God for my life and it’s MANY blessings.
I can’t tell you what a difference this makes. I helps me get centered and to focus on the good that I have in my life instead of on all the coulda, shoulda, wouldas that so often fill my mind.
Okay, so I’m hoping that if you feel like me from time to time, whether it’s your hormones or whatever is causing it, that you’ll be able to remember this, try it out, and have it help you like it helps me. Keep up the good work mama! You are irreplaceable in your children’s lives!
Yup, you’re meditating! I do this daily to center myself and get present. There’s nothing woo-woo about that in my opinion. The proof is in the pudding! 🙂
Humm… don’t know much about meditation, but all I know is that sometimes I need to get alone and mentally make my body relax. It’s like relaxing during labor all over again… except without the pain this time! LOL! Anyway, thanks for your comment Jessica, and I’m totally LOVING your site! Is it new? I’m definitely jealous! Looks good!
I would make this time a cup of gentle nervines tea time. A cup of herbal tea to slow everyone down, especially ME!.Chamomile.roses, passionflower, or lemon balm are the gentle nervine teas. Chamomile and lemon balm are my favorite!
Next I would do my breathing technique, breath in saying the word “peace” than letting it out saying the word “calm”.
Also, I get distilled water and put 10 drops each of lavender and eucalyptus in a spray bottle. Spray the room to get everyone to relax or take a nap.I found this works for my family and the little ones, Oh, even our dogs!
Great ideas! I need to try some of those and see how they work for us! Thanks Monica!
Thank you so much for taking the time to write this incredibly helpful blog post when you have so very much going on in your life right now! Congratulations on your new baby boy! I am so happy for you and your family! I hope you have all the help, love, and sleep you need, which is especially required when adding a new little person to our lives.
You’re so welcome Tracy! And thank you! I’m incredibly blessed that he is sleeping well at night so I can get some sleep!
Good ideas! I will have to pin this post for reminders later. Our #4 is due in less than 5 weeks so I am sure I will need some of this info during the weeks afterward, especially when my husband goes back to work and my Mom has to fly home.
BTW, I love your website! I am also learning as much as I can about herbs and natural living and I have enjoyed learning from your posts and also agree with you on almost all of it. (I also have to say, it’s refreshing to find someone who has come to the same conclusion as we have about essential oils, and doesn’t promote one of the 2 most popular brands. 🙂 ) It’s neat that you are from my “neck of the woods”. I grew up in in a small farm town near the VA/KY border. I now live in Arizona, but enjoy visiting TN every chance we get.
Oh congrats on your 4th baby Naomi! I hope all goes well with the birth, and that there’s as smooth of a transition as possible for you afterwards. I’m so glad you’re finding helpful information here on the blog. We’re all learning and growing together in this journey. Nice to meet you!
Thanks! I need to try this. I’m new to essential oils. Is stress less safe to use while pregnant?
I’m not exactly sure Elena. Check out the link on essential oils in pregnancy here and here.