I can’t meditate. I just can’t quiet my brain. I’m not the only one, am I?
If noises from my kids, their toys, their tech, my husband, the TV, and our dog aren’t filling my brain, my brain is filling itself with crazy self-talk.
“Hmmm… I wonder what time I have to leave in order to be at that appointment on time if I have to drop off library books, stop at the post office, and hit the drive-thru for nuggets first.
Nuggets… How many calories are in those things anyway? I’m sure it’s the ‘bad fat,’ too. I wonder if J.C. will ever eat another form of protein. Maybe he’ll serve nuggets at his wedding reception.
Do you think Priscilla has planned out her wedding yet? I mean, it’s kind of sad how little girls are pushed into that culture, right? I need to make sure she’s not worrying about her wedding already.
Shoot! I totally forgot we have my cousin’s wedding this weekend. Man. I hope I don’t have to wear a dress. Are yoga pants proper wedding attire? I can just call them leggings, right?”
Tell me this mind-chatter is a busy mama thing and not just a crazy thing. Either way, I jumped at the chance to find some calm with the new Spire Mindfulness + Activity Tracker. I’ll tell you more about the Spire Mindfulness + Activity Tracker in a minute.
But first, wearing my Spire Mindfulness + Activity Tracker throughout the past week has got me thinking (and tracking!) the tools and activities which bring about calming, focus, and mindfulness – even with the craziness of my mama life. Here’s a list of mindfulness tools I’ve curated to help you find some peace, too.
8 Easy Mindfulness Tools for Crazy Busy Moms
1. A Morning Routine – There’s nothing like a bad morning to ruin the rest of the day. As author Lemony Snicket explains,
“Morning is an important time of day, because how you spend your morning can often tell you what kind of day you are going to have.”
I tend to agree. My best days start with good morning routines, which include a balanced breakfast, happy kids, and a little time for me.
2. Prayer – If you’re a spiritual personal, prayer can be a powerful tool for centering and calming the spirit. If you’re not so spiritual, consider a mantra or uplifting quote you can say to yourself (silently or aloud) to bring you back to a place of mindfulness.
3. A Gratitude Journal – Taking some time each day to recognize a couple things (or people) you’re grateful for can set your mind and heart on the positive. Check out this free downloadable morning printable for moms which includes a space to list what you’re grateful for each day.
4. A Coloring Book – Through wearing my Spire over the past week, I’ve been able to see that times when I’m drawing or coloring, I’m more calm and focused. As CNN reported in January of 2016,
“Just like meditation, coloring also allows us to switch off our brains from other thoughts and focus only on the moment, helping to alleviate free-floating anxiety.”
5. Nature – There’s something about nature – especially when we “see it through our kids’ eyes” – that’s calming and centering to the soul. Sit right in the grass while you watch your kids play at the playground. Or join them on a nature hike in the backyard.
6. Essential Oils – We’ve been using essential oils for a couple years now in our home. I especially love diffusing lavender essential oil to promote calm before bedtime. I sometimes apply a drop right to my wrists and inhale deeply for stress relief, too. And it can even be added to play dough for some scented sensory play for the kids.
7. Your Children – Yes, I know this seems counter-intuitive. I know what you’re thinking. Aren’t these loud and crazy kids the reason I’m stressed out to begin with? But what if you adjust your perspective a bit. What if connecting with them – meeting them right where they are – is a way to practice mindfulness? Get down next to your son and run your fingers through their sensory bin, too. Count rhythmically while you push your daughter on the swing.
8. The Spire Mindfulness + Activity Tracker – As I mentioned, I’ve been wearing my Spire Mindfulness + Activity Tracker for the past week, and I’m so unbelievably impressed by it.
It’s a little stone-like gadget you clip right to your bra or pants where it tracks your breathing, calories, activity, steps and more.
It works in coordination with a companion app on your phone. And it gives you gentle vibrations and app reminders when you’re tense.
So when my Spire Mindfulness + Activity Tracker vibrates, I just check my phone to see a message, “You’ve been tense for 8 minutes. Do you have time for a couple deep breaths?”
Why, yes! Thank you, my little Spire Mindfulness + Activity Tracker. So sweet of you to think of me.
Sometimes it even offers to lead me in a mindfulness or meditation exercise within the app. Honestly, I rarely take time for that. But just the reminders and deep breaths have been a huge help in breaking my cycles of tension. But when I do find more time, I look forward to trying out the “boosts” and mindfulness exercises (from partners like Thich Nhat Hanh and Deepak Chopra) within the app.
My favorite part… The app graphs your periods of tension, calm, and focus – and even has deep API integration with your calendar, location, and photos. So you can easily see when, where, and why you were experiencing those periods of tension, calm, and focus. I can see this being so powerful for being more proactive in utilizing mindfulness tools to live a more mindful life.
Learn more about fostering mindfulness with the Spire Mindfulness + Activity Tracker HERE.
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More Helpful Tips for Moms:
- I Have to Run a Household, Too?! Helpful Home Management Tips for Busy Moms
- The Best Family Calendar Apps for Crazy-Busy Moms
- Be a Better Mom with this Simple 3 Step Morning Routine
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
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Jo Lynn says
I love good morning routines, and I really like how you added your kids as an item on your morning routine… I tend to think of my morning routine as something I try to get done before the kids need too much of my attention. I had not heard of the spire before. It sounds interesting. Do you find it notifies you too often?
Krissy of B-Inspired Mama says
At first, it notifies you more often, but as you learn to be more mindful and relax it notifies you less.