Category Archives: relaxation

Just talking Tuesday: 15 minutes for YOU

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Yesterday during #PPDChat, I issued a challenge to fellow chatters as we shared our struggles with Parenting through Postpartum.

Every day this week, take just 15 minutes for you. Then tweet about what you did with those 15 minutes using the #PPDChat hashtag.

Your 15 minutes does not have to be all together. It can be spread out in 5 minute increments as one chatter said she often did.

Your time does not have to stop at 15 minutes either. It can keep going and going and going….

If you can’t get in 15 minutes total, try for at least 10.

Today, I took the long way home from Bible Study. The sky was a fantastic blue, complete with puffy white clouds dispersed throughout. Even Pandora cooperated, blasting out some classic tunes. I felt myself continuing to relax.

After lunch, I played around on our Wii. Not exercising, just playing. I never do that.

Once we had the kiddos in bed, I sat and read a book until I fell asleep. Again, I can’t remember the last time I fell asleep while reading a book. Not that the book wasn’t good, I was just that tired.

I spent more than 15 minutes on myself today and it totally rocked.

How much time did you spend on yourself today? What did you do with those minutes?

Any plans for tomorrow’s 15 minutes?

Tell us!

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Whatever Wednesdays: The one about my favorite TV shows

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The #PPDChat @ Twitter earlier this week focused on taking time for ourselves. This is me putting it into practice. I also had a DM chat with @marymac in which we waxed about greener grass – and she inspired me to finally carve out a day on which I blogged about just life and not the main topic of my site. Welcome to Whatever Wednesdays! Let the ride begin….

It’s mid May. Sweeps in TV land.

Two of my favorite shows are dropping off the planet this year.

Both 24 and Lost will come to a screeching halt on the little screen within the next six days. Many of my other shows are airing season finales.

I may have to resort to Netflix or reruns of Star Trek Next Generation. On Demand may be an option. But for now I’ll just mourn my entertainment losses and move on to greener pastures. The summer line up better kick some serious arse.

Watching TV shows and movies is a favorite past time of mine. I’m mostly a sci-fi, drama, comedy chick. I’ve got the uncanny ability to recognize actors and tell you what they’ve starred in over the years. Sometimes I do have to resort to IMDB.com but hey, I’ve got kids. They’re sucking my brain cells up faster than I’d down an Icee on a hot summer day.

Oh, and do not leave the name of the winner of Survivor in the comments. I’m like, um, behind. And despite my constant monitoring of Social media, have actually managed to keep myself in the dark thus far. I’m sure my time is running out and I hope to catch up by this weekend. We’ll talk next week. Because I’ve got things to say about that show, oh yes I do!

A few of my new favorite shows this past season are:

FlashForward – this may well be my new LOST. I am loving this sci-fi thriller!

Modern Family – quite possibly the most funny sitcom EVER. Sorry Seinfeld, you never made me pause the TV for 5 minutes because I couldn’t stop laughing. Oh wait, couldn’t pause the TV when you were on air – but still… NO pausy pause for you! NEXT! There has NEVER been a funnier scene in sitcom history than Cam dressed as a clown sassing some poor guy at the gas station. NEVER.

V – Like Whoa. Anna is a class A well, yanno… whoa. Despite the remake aspect, I’d say they’re doing a damned fine job.

Happy Town – Although this show has already been cut, I liked it. Sad to see it go.

Parenthood – I.love.Peter.Krause. Nuff said.

Mercy – Almost as addictive as Grey’s. Notice I said ALMOST.

Trauma – This is a show I’ve struggled with watching. It’s intense. Very intense. But after a hard day, it would always remind me that yeah, there’s always someone out there who’s got it tougher. And somehow it would soothe me. And I found myself addicted before I even knew it.

Some old favorites:

Damages – Patty Hews would be perfect vs. Anna of V, wouldn’t she? Now THAT’D be a show!

Saving Grace – this one is on TNT. And if you haven’t seen it yet, you really should try and watch. It’s addicting.

Grey’s – ‘Nuff said.

Fringe – Only the 2nd season but I am SO hooked. I need my Walterisms on a weekly basis. (Wanna know how addicted I am to this show? I decipher the glyphs they show before the commercial breaks. I’ve got it bad!)

Survivor – stopped watching last season but then – I mean – really, who can resist Rupert? I HAD to watch Heroes vs. Villains. And no, as I said earlier, I don’t know who won yet. So shh.

I’m really looking forward to The Good Guys which starts on Fox this Wednesday night. Bradley Whitford from West Wing (may that show RIP) stars. It’s gotta be good. It’s Bradley frickin’ Whitford, dudes! (And no, I’m not channeling Hurley!)

Psych on USA starts back in June, I think. It better – I need my Psych fix.

And then there’s America’s Got Talent which will be a Hoff -free zone this year. I am hoffstatic about that!

Watching TV is a huge part of relaxation for me. There is NOTHING more soothing for me than to sit down after the kids are in bed and hear, “This Television Program is for Mature Audiences only.” blare forth from the TV. Because that means I don’t have to watch kid-friendly programming for at least 12 hours.

Enriching postpartum therapy through at-home activities

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In addition to the different types of therapy we discussed yesterday, there are some at home activities you can do (provided your therapist has approved them) to enrich your professional care and journey toward wellness.

First, start a gratitude journal. But I don’t journal. I hate writing! Don’t worry – this isn’t having to write an entire page every day. It’s a simple two entries a day. In the morning, when you first wake up, grab your pen and journal. Write down three things for which you are grateful, no matter how small that thing may be. As your day progresses, focus on what has made you laugh or smile. Once you have retired to bed each night (even if it’s for two hours), write down at least three things which made you smile or laugh during the day. At the beginning, even just barely cracking a smile counts. This activity is two-fold. First, it forces your brain to refocus on the positive things in your life. Second, it provides physical evidence of the positive influences in your life you can look through on the particularly tough days.

Second, write down all five senses on a sheet of paper. Taste, touch, smell, sounds, and sight. Write down five of your favorite things for each sense. Chocolate, silk, a favorite perfume, a cd or song that makes you smile, favorite color or flower or art. Post the list on the fridge. Treat yourself to at least one thing from EACH SENSE every week. Rotate them out. Putting the list on the fridge helps family members and friends to know what to help keep around the house as well. (Sneaky, I know)

Third, take time for yourself. Schedule it if you have to. One thing I love to do is to dress up my lunch. It’s my quiet time of day and I have been known to make a frozen pizza and a coke look like it belongs on a table prepped by Gordon Ramsey. Lean Cuisine never looked so haute. I’ll also treat myself to the routine of making tea. The key is finding one thing you love and making sure you do it at least once a day. Without interruption.

Some other moms will put positive post-its throughout the house and even in the car to help give them a boost when they need it most.

A successful recovery relies heavily on your active participation. If you’re not participating, you’re not getting better. YOU are the most important quotient in the equation when it comes to journeying toward mental health wellness!

How did you actively participate in your recovery? Have any tips for currently struggling moms? We’d love to hear them!


Be sure to stop back tomorrow for the triumphant return of the Friday Soother, my weekly gift to you!