How to Survive Being a Mother

The Ayurveda Experience March 11, 2016

Raising a child is incredibly rewarding, yet incredibly exhausting. While caring for my wee one, I relied heavily on my experience with spiritual and bodily practices. This led me to believe that motherhood needs its own daily Ayurvedic practice guidelines, or dinacharya.

FOCUS

Expect Household Rhythms to Change…Frequently-

Don’t try to live up to standards and assumptions created by men living in caves, who had women cooking their meals. They don’t apply to you. Sleeping and waking rhythms with your child may frequently change. Don’t get attached to how things should be, or think you have it nailed. If it changes tomorrow and you can be present,flexible and connected, that is most important.

Focus on 1-5 minute practices-

You’ll receive many benefits. Frequency is more important than duration. One minute practices include:

1 Minute Pranayama
3 Sun Salutations
1 Minute Meditation.
1 Minute Jumping Jacks
1 Minute “Ahhh” Exhalations
1 Minute Body Scan
1 Minute Jog Around the House (inside or out)

Bathe daily- Preferably in the AM-

This might be more important than other more “spiritual” practices. Bathing refreshes your spirit and helps those with sleep deprivation feel more connected. Rub oil all over your body before, during or after you bathe/shower.

Go to Bed Early, No Exceptions-

Train the household to go to bed early.
Rest when tired.
Create a relaxing evening routine starting with an early dinner for everyone.
Don’t delay dinner to eat together. You’ll get cranky and burden your digestion.

Don’t Judge, Don’t Compare-

Don’t judge yourself or compare yourself to other yogis or other families. Support other moms with encouragement, not comparison. Raising babies into children can be a very challenging passage for mothers. Be gentle with yourself and mothers worldwide.

FOOD

Eat Easy-to-Digest Food-

The more stress or fatigue you feel, the more soupy or stew-like your diet should be.

Make a pot of soup
A batch of kitchari
A pitcher of green smoothies or a green, living soup
Stock your house with seasonal fruit in abundance.

Think ahead-

Cook in the morning as much as possible.
Eat the same thing for lunch and dinner to make life easier.
Write out a very simple and recyclable weekly menu plan on the weekend. Post it to the fridge so you don’t use your creative juice for daily sustenance…unless you have that extra energy.

Prepare Your Family’s Food-

As much as possible, cook your own food. Use tools like rice cookers and crock pots to make it easier to plan ahead. Don’t buy stuff you don’t want your family to eat.

Eat Early With the Children-

Don’t delay your meal to eat with your partner.
Feed yourself early, when you can digest and be grounded for a relaxing evening.
Make dinner and after a connective family time. As children get older, play a game.