Italian Weekend Away

So this weekend I was lucky enough to go to a close friend’s wedding in the most beautiful little town in Florence, Italy. As the weekend drew closer the thought of leaving my children started to make me really anxious. Its not the first time I have left them for a few days but in the handful of times I have it doesn’t seem to get any easier. On a daily basis I’m surgically attached to them and would give anything for a moment of peace and a wee alone, however when you are leaving them for a few days this weird nervousness begins to build. I never thought I struggled with anxiety until I had my children but anything that’s completely out of my control can sometimes make me go into panic mode. So the weekend arrived and I gave them both the biggest cuddle and they couldn’t of been less bothered that we were going as they get sleepover time with Nanny and Grandad! Once we arrived I allowed myself time to clear my head and did some mindfulness to help me feel less anxious and it really worked. I mean if you cant relax looking out across beautiful green vineyards and rolling green valleys then when can you?! Also a little bit of the local Prosecco helped too and that was a bonus!

I’m pretty new to the whole mindfulness and mediation bandwagon but over the last few years finding small pockets of time to practice breathing techniques has really helped me find my inner calm. There are so many ways you can be mindful from classes and workshops, books, podcasts and apps that talk you through different methods. I have become particularly keen on using apps as I can access them quickly whenever I want. My favorite 2 are Buddhify and Calm which allow you to pick a period of time and situation to fit into your daily life. So next time you feel like your head is foggy with so much whirling round or you find a situation is making you anxious, take a moment to collect your thoughts and try a quick mindfulness break. After doing this for a few years now I find that I can re-focus and enjoy myself more, meaning I’m more in control of my feelings. This is particularly good for pregnancy when your brain can run away with itself (especially after the 20th night time wee break!) Keeping calm and relaxed helps open up your diaphragm, meaning you can take deeper breathes and relax.  Deep breathing can also help with the last few weeks of your pregnancy, keeping the stress hormone cortisol low and allowing the body to go into labour when ready. Stress will slow down labour and ultimately prevent labour from beginning naturally when its ready as your body is trying to protect you from potential threats.

So, let’s all breathe a huge breathe in and out and focus on how we are feeling , stepping off the hamster wheel of life every week for a few hours to see how good you can feel!!