I was reading an article this morning about New Mom's experiencing a desire to get back in shape after the birth of a new baby and that Exercise and Meditation can reduce the chances of depression. It triggered an old feeling in me and I automatically went back to the way I felt over 40 years ago when I gave birth to my two girls, one in 1971 and the other in 1973. At the time there were no groups to reach out to that were a support system for New Moms. I actually am feeling quite emotional writing this blog and remembering how I felt...isolated, depressed and at times so lonely that I wanted to scream...I was a very young mother, 23 when I gave birth to my first daughter and 25 when I gave birth to my second daughter.
A 2008 study by Dr. Cassandra Vieten from the California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute looked at the effects of mindfulness meditation and Hatha Yoga on prenatal stress and mood and demonstrated a 20-25% reduction in stress levels and anxiety in pregnant women.
Meditation was literally a life saver for me; it allowed me to calm down when I was feeling sad, frustrated and lonely. By going into that calm place and reconnecting with myself I started to feel at peace, loving and very connected to my babies. There were ups and downs and being a young mom was not an easy task, however, having this wonderful tool to keep me focused really saved my sanity. I meditated every day for sometimes 10 minutes and sometimes 20 minutes depending on the demands of the day...this was "my time"...babies napped and I meditated.
“For women at risk (of postpartum depression), it’s definitely of value (meditation)...It’s a non-pharmacological means of prevention and should be offered in addition to other parenting classes and skills.”
Dr. Zindel Segal, one of the founders of Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy and Cameron Wilson Chair in Depression Studies at the University of Toronto.
To this day I still meditate for 20 minutes per day and it allows me to re-connect with myself on a daily basis and have the energy I need to succeed in a healthy marriage, run a business, spend time with family and friends, be able to connect with my beautiful grandchildren and exercise daily with more energy than I could ever imagined having at the age of 65.
A study by Dr. Sona Dimidjian from the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at the University of Colorado is showing the “favourable” results of a first-ever study done on at-risk pregnant women who continued a meditation and yoga practice into the post partum period.
http://o.canada.com/2013/05/10/hopes-high-for-first-ever-canadian-study-on-mindfulness-meditation-and-post-partum-depression/
Treat yourself, learn how to Meditate and schedule it into your day even if it is only for a few minutes, I guarantee you will see a difference...
If you are pregnant or a new mother, I invite you to try my meditation coaching. It could make all the difference in your post-natal health.
Learn how to take a Meditation Break HERE.
by Leslie Traill - Astrologer, Speaker, Author and Certified N.L.P. (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) Practitioner/Coach
If you are pregnant or a new mother, I invite you to try my meditation coaching. It could make all the difference in your post-natal health.
Learn how to take a Meditation Break HERE.
by Leslie Traill - Astrologer, Speaker, Author and Certified N.L.P. (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) Practitioner/Coach
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