To celebrate the rapidly approaching Mother’s Day (May 9th), Rescu. asked neuroplasticity expert Susan Pearse, the author of the Bump To Baby guide and co-creator of Mind Gardener, for tips on mindful parenting during pregnancy and early motherhood. She also explains how practising neuroplasticity can improve your life.What is neuroplasticity?
Susan is one of a small number of experts bringing the science of neuroplasticity -literally changing the way you think – to Australia.
To explain in more detail, neuroplasticity is the concept that the human brain changes form and output over time and that individuals can cultivate their minds to improve performance, increase happiness levels and ultimately change their lives.
Based on neuroplasticity, Susan’s step-by-step Mind Gardener guides are designed to help people through various stages of their lives.
RESCU: How can the Mind Gardener guides help us become happier people, and more mindful parents?
Susan Pearse: “So many couples get caught up in their individual routines and forget to appreciate one another – from there it becomes all too easy to fixate on the negatives in a relationship. Cultivating your own mindset so you think positively about your partner and recognise and avoid the signposts which lead to negative attitudes and behaviours is actually very simple – it just requires a little awareness.
“Likewise, the way you interact with your children – even before birth – is all in the mind. Just a few simple mental exercises practiced on a regular basis can make all the difference in producing resilient, emotionally-balanced and happy children.
“I’m a firm believer in practicing what I preach – not only do my long-suffering family function as Mind Gardener’s official ‘field testers’, but I myself dedicate at least 20 minutes every day to exercising my mind. The beauty of it is that the exercises are seamlessly integrated into my daily routine – after more than a decade of practice, it’s become as habitual as brushing my teeth.”
During Pregnancy…
Tip 1: Transfer Positivity
Your emotions become your baby’s emotions. Research shows that your chemical states are transferred to your baby in the womb.
So act quickly when negativity or stress creeps into your day. Direct your thoughts away from complaining, worrying or judging, and instead think and do positive things.
Tip 2: Nurture and Grow
Your lifestyle choices directly influence your baby’s brain development. As your baby grows, remind yourself that your choices about what you eat and drink and how you exercise and rest, are also your baby’s choices so make them healthy ones.
Tip 3: Scan and Release
Physical tension is an early indicator of stress. Each day scan your body for tension and release it. Start with your toes and move up, spending at least 30 seconds on each part of your body. Consciously relax each area while taking long, slow breaths. Take this sense of calm throughout your day.
Tip 4: Shared Values
Consistency during the early years of life is so important for a child’s development. Schedule a time for you and your partner to discuss child-rearing philosophies and agree on them. What do you each believe is important in parenting? How you will deal with basic needs like feeding and bathing? How will you support each other through hard times?
Tip 5: The Power of Music
Studies show that babies hear what is happening around you during pregnancy. Every day, put 15 minutes aside to listen to a piece of music you find relaxing or uplifting. Get in a comfortable position, close your eyes and connect fully with the sound of the music. After your baby is born, you might find that this piece of music will help calm your baby!
With your Newborn…
Tip 6: Settle Time
The priority during the first 3 months of your baby’s life is to “settle” them into this new world. The change that your baby is experiencing by moving from womb to world is significant. Create a routine that helps your baby to become accustomed to the sounds of the house, the people in the family, and especially the presence of you, the parents.
Tip 7: Sleep Alternatives
Meditation is one of the most effective ways to increase energy, decrease stress, and improve overall sleep quality.
When you are tired, sit for 5 minutes and become aware of your breath, gently lengthening each one so it lasts 3-6 seconds longer than normal. When your mind drifts, gently return your attention to your breath. This “mind break” really does re-energise you.
Tip 8: Couple Connection
Nurture your life as a ‘couple’. Do things you would usually do as a couple, such as going out for dinner, a weekend away, the movies, and visiting friends. And don’t spend all your time in conversation about the baby!
Tip 9: The Perfect Mother
Write down your expectations and ideals about motherhood. Do you expect that you and your baby will be calm and happy all the time and your house will be spotless?
For each item that you write down, consider whether the issue is in your control, whether your expectations are realistic, or whether you are putting yourself under too much pressure for something that is not so important.
Tip 10: Mould the Brain
Provide your baby with positive experiences for his or her brain development. The best thing you can do is to nurture them with your gentle touch through massage, cuddles and bathing.
How you hold them, comfort them, and play with them are all crucial to shaping your baby’s brain. A close, loving and nurturing connection is the one most important key to the rest of your child’s life.
The Bump To Baby Guide makes fantastic baby shower or Mother’s Day gifts. Find it and other Guides from the Mind Gardener range at www.mindgardener.com.
For more info on why these exercises are important, follow the regular blog at www.mindgardener.com. You can visit facebook (Mind Gardener) and twitter- @MindGardenTips.
