The stress and strain of constantly being connected can sometimes take your life -- and your well-being -- off course. GPS For The Soul can help you find your way back to balance.
GPS Guides are our way of showing you what has relieved others' stress in the hopes that you will be able to identify solutions that work for you. We all have de-stressing "secret weapons" that we pull out in times of tension or anxiety, whether they be photos that relax us or make us smile, songs that bring us back to our heart, quotes or poems that create a feeling of harmony, or meditative exercises that help us find a sense of silence and calm. We encourage you to look at the GPS Guide below, visit our other GPS Guides here, and share with us your own personal tips for finding peace, balance and tranquility.
In her GPS Guide below, Carla Naumburg, PhD shares her tips, tools and inspiration to encourage mindful parenting. See her guide, then share your tips in the comments section.
3 Tools For Mindful Parenting
1. STOP: Stop, Take a Breath, Observe, Proceed
This is a tool that I use several times a day, when I feel myself getting overwhelmed or frustrated or I’m having a difficult interaction with one of my children. No matter what’s going on, there is always time to stop, take a breath, briefly consider the situation, and make a different, mindful choice.
2. SMILE
Sometimes, all it takes is a smile, even a small one, to improve my outlook. Smiling isn’t about masking painful emotions or pretending to be happy, but a smile reminds me that even in a hard moment, I can be grateful to be alive, that my daughters are safe and healthy (even if they are in the middle of a tantrum!), and that I have a roof over my head and food to eat.
3. GRATITUDE
Each night, as I’m laying in bed, I take a moment to be grateful. On the good days, it’s an easy exercise, but even on the bad days, I can always find some blessing to appreciate. It helps keep my challenges in perspective, and my attitude positive. Smiling, keeping a gratitude journal, and sharing thanks over a family dinner are all ways to start a gratitude practice in your daily life.
Below, find other inspiration -- affirmations, music, quotes and more.
Carla Naumburg's GPS Guide
Carla Naumburg, PhD is a clinical social worker and contributing editor at Kveller.com. She lives in Massachusetts with her husband and two young daughters.
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