My belief is that when we become a mother, our heart breaks open to a deeper level of caring for the world. Suddenly, every child could be our child. We see our communal vulnerability, and we feel our communal pain at a deep, soul level.
When tragedy strikes – as it has here in the US and in Henan, China this week – our hearts hurt deeply.
And since we are moms, we have to continue on in our nourishing, nurturing and giving role. We are the arms that hold and soothe. We are the cradles.
But who cradles us?
Often no one.
When our heart is raw and heavy, we need to cradle it. As we acknowledge the depth of our feelings – feel the pain, the grief, and the sorrow – we are better able to mother our selves, our world, and our kids.
In addition to encouraging you to make space for your feelings, I want to offer you a few simple strategies to soothe your soul.
We all need it.
3 POWERFUL SOUL SOOTHING STRATEGIES
Water: Water is a deep soother and healer.
Drink more water: When we are stressed, our body needs even more water than usual.
Take a warm bath: I like to add a few drops of Rosemary Essential Oil (soothes the nervous system), epsom salts (soothes muscles), and coconut oil (soothes skin).
Note: I put coconut oil in my kids bath all winter to keep their skin soft in the dry months.
Breathe: We’ve got a self-soothing mechanism built right in!
Pay attention to your breathing: Often we breath very shallowly.
Try this right now: Take a moment to lengthen your breath. Now really listen to the sound of your breath. Imagine you were breathing down to your toes. Don’t force, just fill your lungs completely, and then allow the air to gently and fully release.
Do this for 2 minutes and notice the powerful calming effects.
Action: Actively doing something about our stress can step us out of helplessness or despair, and into a more positive and proactive experience.
“One of the most calming and powerful actions you can do to intervene in a stormy world is to stand up and show your soul.” ~ Clarrisa Pinkola Estes Phd
Action can be as simple as prayer or as concrete as donations, or political action. Only you will know what kind of action feels the most soothing to your soul.
Here are some links that can inspire you to take action about the violence in our world and/or they’ll help you know how to talk to your kids about what has happened this week.
What Will You Say To Your Kids
How To Talk to Kids About A School Shooting
How Not To Talk With Children About the Sandy Hook Shooting
How You Can Help The Victims of Sandy Hook
Petition To Produce Legislation That Limits Access To Guns
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Before you spring into action, which is often our default, do something that nurtures you first!
If you’d like support in creating more deep nourishment and self care in your life, please join me in kicking of 2013 with the 28 Day Smokin’ Hot Mom Challenge.
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Nina Manolson, MA, CHC, is the Smokin’ Hot & Soulful Mom Mentor and Family Wellness Expert. She’s the founder of SmokinHotMom.com and HealthyYummyKids.com. She is a certified Health Coach and Psychology of Eating Coach.
She helps busy moms look and feel their best, and helps them feed their kids well in a world that doesn’t.
She’s the author of “Feed Your Kids Well In A World That Doesn’t: an everyday guide to make healthy food happen in your home and beyond”. She’s also the recipient of the prestigious Health Leadership Award from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition.
Nina Manolson, MA, is the founder of Body-Peace®.She helps women end the war with food and body and finally feel truly at home in their body—as it is.
She is known for her deeply feminist, anti-diet, body-peace® approach. She brings her 30 years of experience as a therapist, Body-Trust® Guide and Psychology of Eating Teacher to helping women create a respectful and trusting relationship with their food and body.
Nina’s Body-Peace® work is all in service of helping people get off the diet roller-coaster, and into a compassionate and powerful way of eating & living which creates a positive long-lasting change in and with their bodies. Her courses, coaching, poems and Body-Peace APP positively change the conversation that women are having with their body.
Start your Body-Peace® journey with this free masterclass that will help you understand and shift your relationship with your body.
Love the idea of having some soul soothing strategies to fall back on tragedy strikes ~ or even just when life gets so hectic during the holiday season. Your thoughts are much appreciated!
Mia xo