Zen Mama: 3 Tips to Master Zen amid Chaos

Mama, 

I get there are days where the chaos takes over and you just want to pull out your hair!

As a Health Coach, Yoga Instructor and Mama of 4 young kiddos, 6 years and younger, I understand the meaning of pure chaos. But also have leaned on tools to keep me calm and grounded. 

Sharing with you 3 tips to support feeling grounded and calm amongst the most chaotic days...

Breath - breath is life! My guru shared this with me during my training and this has stuck with me! Utilizing different patterns of breath stimulate the parasympathetic mode - calm/relaxing state. My favorite pattern is an elongated exhale. This is the fastest way to get into that state of calm. 

Practice: Inhale for 4 counts, Hold for 4 counts and exhale for 8 counts. Repeat this a few times. 

Walking outside - fresh air, sunlight, the breeze and feeling the ground on your feet activates your awareness to the PRESENT. Within the present, there is no past or future only NOW. When you are in the NOW you can shift your awareness to the observer and rather than react to the chaos, you can observe. 

Practice: Take the kids with you outside for this practice. Run with them, shake out your body or just walk. This helps dispel excess energy that is creating chaos. Plus, you receive extra oxygen and exposure to sunlight for nutrient benefits such as serotonin!

Take some space - have you ever you used the term with your kids "walk away". I have and this also works great for adults! I use this with myself. When I feel overwhelm, anger and frustration building, I walk away from the situation to get some space. 

Practice: Walk to another room or to the other side of the room to get some space from the chaos. This allows you a moment to take a breath and give you a moment to get grounded. 

Next time you are in sheer chaos, try this tips!