Emotional fitness is like the ultimate weapon in your parenting arsenal. It means being able to handle whatever comes your way without losing your cool or getting stressed. It means building resilience and coping skills so you can handle those tough moments with ease. And let’s face it, there are going to be tough moments – it’s just a part of parenting.

And I’ve been there. I know how unpleasant it is to be emotionally out of shape.

Being emotionally unfit means you’re more likely to react negatively to challenges. And whatever that looks like, whether it’s an anxiety attack or full-blown anger, you don’t want negative emotions calling the shots and causing you to make bad decisions.

So, if you want to become emotionally fit, I have picked three practices to start your emotional fitness regime.

Let’s get curious

 

Being curious means paying attention to the present moment without judgment, and it’s a practice that can work wonders in your life, especially as a mother.

For a start, being reactive is impossible when you’re being curious. Take, for example, when your child is acting out. Instead of getting frustrated and angry, try to be genuinely curious about what’s driving their behaviour. Not only does curiosity replace those negative emotions, but it also helps you connect with your child on a deeper level.

Let’s get some perspective, shall we?

 

You know what’s a real spoiler? Self pity. It’s like wearing a straight jacket and throwing away the key to your own power.

Your life is a precious gift, and so are your offspring – even if they’re not perfect (and let’s face it, who is?). Gratitude practice helps you appreciate your unique life without getting bogged down in comparisons to others. Trust me, comparing yourself to others is a one-way ticket to despair.

Or you can meditate and focus on the good things in your life. By shining a light on the positive, you’ll build emotional strength to handle whatever challenges come your way. And that, my friends, is a beautiful thing.

You gotta have faith – in yourself

 

Sometimes when we face a challenge, we react negatively because we don’t believe we have what it takes to handle it. But let me tell you something: you are stronger than you think.

The way you talk to yourself is important. So change that inner narrative, my friends. Start speaking to yourself in a supportive, loving way.

Most importantly, don’t forget to recognise your achievements. How did it feel to conquer that obstacle? Pretty damn good, I imagine.

Making this into a practice is going to strengthen those emotional muscles.

Are you ready to hit the emotional fitness gym?

 

Parenting is a marathon, not a sprint, so learning how to handle your emotions is an important skill. But don’t worry, you’ve got this. And when you start seeing the results of your emotional fitness regime, you’ll be so damn proud of yourself.

 

This article was written by Alice Chepeau, one of our partner coaches who helps moms raise happy children while pursuing a life that fulfils them so they can show up at their best without sacrifice, guilt or overwhelm.  You can get in touch via her profile page, visiting her website    https://www.authentic-mind.com/ .

April 19, 2023