Calm Mamas Weekly Check-in

Jennrs

For those of you who don't know what this is all about I'll give you a quick overview. A few of us are working on some anger issues that we have. Each week I'll post a question and a weekly assignment and we'll discuss. Anybody who is looking to improve the way they handle their anger is welcome to paricipate.

Assignment Discussion: Did you use any of the meditations from the article posted last week? If so, did you find they helped? Did you have a favorite one?

Weekly question: How do you handle stressful situations or busy times (i.e. holidays, birthdays, etc...)? Can you offer any special tips or advice to help ease the anxiety and stress that tend to accompany these times?

Weekly Assignment: Challenge yourself to take at least 15 minutes to yourself each day. Use this time to do something that helps center you.

Jennrs

To be honest, I didn't use the meditations after the first day. I had planned on printing them from my computer but I never got around to it. However, I should add that I had a great week. There were moments where I felt my anger swelling and I was able to cope with it in a positive way (breathing, singing loudly, or laughing really loudly).

I had what would normally be a very stressful weekend as it was my DD's first birthday. I had a lot of planning to do for it and lots of out of town guests to entertain. I kept cool and collected and even managed to curb the normal anxiety that usually accompanies those situations. It enabled me to really enjoy my DD's big day! I don't know if I did anything special to ease the situation, I think I just made myself very aware of my feelings and anticipated what could happen. I made sure to take a walk everyday and eat fairly healthy, which I'm sure helped. Plus, I took time to enjoy the special moments and not worry about silly little things.

EmmieB

We had a week. Weaning + illness (every one of us got this darn head cold) = cranky mama.

I used the Thich Nhat Hanh  meditation that always works so well:

?Breathing in, I calm my body.
Breathing out, I smile.
Dwelling in the present moment
I know this is a wonderful moment.?

It did not work so well at 3am this morning when he was using my face for batting practice, but if mommy only gets angry when she's being punched in the face, that's progress, right?

beau2ful

I didn't use the meditatioins, but I had a good week with LO. She was even awake for and hour and a half the other night and I didn't really get angry at all. I was tired and the next day I wasn't so happy with DH. Maybe I need to really work on my anger with him...he irritates me so easy it seems and I know a lot of it is my lack of sleep.

I'm going to try the 15 mins a day.. does this include shower time sometimes I feel like that's the only time I get. I try to get on the treadmill since it's so cold now, but last week my H brought LO down and they sat their...uggg he doesn't get it sometimes. Ok sorry didn't mean to go off on all that.

webMistress0609

Oh, can I join?

I have had some anxiety/stress/anger issues since Ari was born. Some of it is just b/c of life issues, some of it is that I've realized I don't deal with anger & anxiety well, some of it is I just have too much pressure & stress right now. DH & I have been working to lighten the load for a few months, but it's going to take time.

Anyway, I find myself getting really frustrated, especially when Ari is power struggling, & it creates a viscous cycle. I'm trying really hard to practice Positive Discipline, but it's hard when every single thing is a knock down drag out. I think this week I'm going to work on Positive Time Outs, both for me & Ari. 

I think for my 15 mins I'm going to do a little yoga each day.  

Quazel

I don't really think I have an anger issue but I do have a habit of snapping when I get stressed by having a lot to do so maybe I do have an issue.

 The best thing I do when I get overwhelmed with things to do is to prioritize and let things go.  I literally have to say to myself "If this doesn't get done, or done as well as I would like, the world will not end.  Nor will it matter a year from now.  It isn't worth getting angry or upset over.  The things that NEED to get done, will get done."  That has helped calm me down a lot.

I have thought about starting yoga.  DS is only sleeping for a few minutes at a time without me at this point.  Anyone have any good DVD recommendations for centering and/or yoga that are maybe 15-20 minutes at a shot?