Recent Articles
Job-Person Fit – Why it’s Important to Experience Positive Emotions at Work
Research shows that negative emotions such as fear, anxiety, and stress take a toll on our bodies and minds; and that positive emotions are linked to better outcomes at home and at work. As a result, corporate wellness programs are becoming more focused on enhancing positivity in the workplace to improve employee well-being and productivity.
What Does It Mean to Be a Mother?
At first glance this seems like a fairly straightforward and even rhetorical question. Defining motherhood is easy – it’s simply bearing children and then nurturing them to become adults, right? As a mother myself, I think most of us would beg to differ. Many mothers would say that it’s the hardest, most stressful, and unrelenting job in the world, but also the most rewarding.
Meditation and Sleep
The daytime sleepiness and grogginess that ensues after a bad night’s sleep can leave you feeling depleted and unproductive, and it may even harm your health. Researchers have become increasingly drawn to the potential of mindfulness meditation as a treatment for various sleep issues. Furthermore, meditation is an easy-to-implement and affordable intervention for those who cannot access other types of sleep therapy or medications.
Postpartum Body Changes
When you’re pregnant, it seems as if all you’re focused on is making sure that your baby is healthy, and is growing according to all the expected milestones. However, your body has also gone through an enormous transformation during pregnancy and after delivery, but your health often gets put on the backburner as you worry about caring for your new baby and trying to navigate life on very little sleep. Many women struggle postpartum because they feel so unprepared to deal with all the new changes to their physicality, and end up anxious, depressed, and overwhelmed.
The Power of Self-Awareness
One of the most important qualities that separate human beings from animals is our ability to introspect and take on perspectives outside our own. It is based on the notion that we are not our thoughts; that we are thinkers able to observe and witness the machinations of our minds. As a result, it provides valuable feedback on how we act and how we treat others. Research shows that when we see ourselves more clearly, we are more confident, make better decisions, and communicate more effectively. We also become better leaders, have higher levels of job satisfaction, and can manage our emotions better.
Your Baby At Six Months Old
At six months old, your baby is halfway to her first birthday, and she will be very interested in the world around her. Soon you won’t be able to contain her in one space, secure that she will stay put, because crawling is around the corner. This is also the month that you will start her on solid foods, if you haven’t done so already, and will also be the month that she will start to sit unsupported.
Meconium Aspiration Syndrome
Meconium is the thick, sticky, tar-like substance that your baby excretes into her diaper after birth. It is made up of all the dead skin cells, proteins, fats, intestinal secretions, and all the other matter your baby swallowed while in the womb. After delivery, your baby will pass meconium stools for the first few days of life. Sometimes, if your baby is distressed, she will have a bowel movement before birth and will excrete the meconium into the amniotic fluid. This can present a problem known as meconium aspiration syndrome.
Meditation and Mindfulness for the Management of Chronic Pain
In patients with chronic pain, it has been found that stress, fear, and depression amplifies the perception of pain. Mind-body approaches to chronic pain such as progressive muscle relaxation, meditation, laughter, and mindfulness-based approaches have been found to markedly reduce the pain experience.
What Causes SIDS and How Can it be Prevented?
As a new parent, the mention of SIDS can send shivers down your spine and get you up all night checking on your (finally!) sleeping baby. But you can rest assured, knowing that the incidence of SIDS is very low. In fact, only 0,0009% of babies succumb to SIDS, and there is a lot you can do to prevent it.
Lower Back Pain During Pregnancy
Pregnancy and lower back pain are almost synonymous. It is common to experience stiffness and aching that sometimes refers down into the buttocks, hips and legs. Back pain usually starts in the second trimester of pregnancy and sometimes only remits once your baby is born.
The Power Of Goal-Setting
Goal-setting is an important and powerful process for seeing your dreams realized. In order to be successful in the goal-setting process, you should set SMART goals. These goals are specific, measurable, achievable, realizable, and time-bound. Goals help provide direction and give you a sense of control over your life.
Let’s Talk About Change
One thing we can be sure of is that change is the only constant in our lives. Change often creates fear, uncertainty, and insecurity about our future. However, our resistance to this change either causes us to stagnate, or it causes us to be battered by unforeseen circumstances. It’s analogous to a surfer in the waves. You are either riding the waves or failing to act, you will be dumped by them.
Your Baby At Five Months Old
The fifth month is usually a transitional time of exciting developments in your baby's life. His muscles have developed in preparation for sitting, crawling, and even standing with support. He can roll from his back to his tummy and is starting to make sounds reminiscent of speech. You will also have noticed that your baby has almost doubled her birth weight. Read on to find out more about what you can expect in the fifth month.
Diastasis Recti Exercises
During pregnancy, our bodies do a lot of incredible things to accommodate our growing baby. Our abdomen muscles expand and separate as the linea alba (or connective tissue between the abdominis recti muscle) stretches. After giving birth, you may notice an indentation in the middle of your belly, in the region of your “six-pack” area. For some moms, this separation is excessive and is known as diastasis recti.
Your Baby At One-Month-Old
You’ve made it through four weeks of parenting a new-born! Most parents don’t realize how difficult having a baby can be, and the first month of parenting can be a shock to the system. The sleepless nights, trying to get used to the two-hourly feeding sessions, worrying about the color of your baby’s poop can all be overwhelming, to say the least.
Stop Comparing Yourself to Others
Human beings have compared themselves to others since the beginning of time. It is an inbuilt tendency of the mind, and in some ways, it can be helpful. It can give you a blueprint for improvement and inspire you to change, but at other times, comparisons can be a means to pick yourself apart. For example, recognizing the similarities you have with others can help you feel connected, validated, and supported. But for the most part, comparing yourself to others can leave you feeling inadequate and alone.
Letting Go of Mom Guilt
Most of us wonder (all the time) if the way we are parenting our children is right. Worsened by the consistent bombardment of parenting advice through social media, parenting blogs, well-meaning parents, and friends, we’re left feeling completely inadequate. Add a global pandemic, which means working from home AND homeschooling children, and you’ve got the perfect recipe for mom-guilt.
Your Baby At Two Months Old
The eight-week mark is usually an exciting milestone for new parents. At this stage, you may notice that your baby occasionally flashes you an adorable smile and is beginning to recognize different faces. You've also made it through the toughest stage of newborn parenting, with the sleepless nights, learning how to breast (or bottle) feed, and adjusting to a new family dynamic. You'll be glad to know that within four to six weeks; your baby will begin to sleep through the night (or at least give you a bigger break between feeds) and learns new skills every day.
Postpartum Exercises
After the birth of your baby, there’s a good chance that you are keen to get moving again but are feeling overwhelmed with all the new challenges the postpartum period presents. You may be reeling from pregnancy hormones, swelling in your feet, excess weight, and a heavy feeling in your pelvic floor, never mind recovering from a C-section, diastasis recti, or postpartum depression.
Returning To Work While Still Breastfeeding
One of the biggest concerns you may have about returning to work after maternity leave is maintaining your breast milk supply. For most moms, the only option is taking out time every few hours to pump. Many organizations realize the benefits of breastfeeding for mothers and their infants and have discovered the cost savings and increase in productivity are worth creating supportive breastfeeding environments. Talk to your boss and co-workers about your decision to breastfeed and what you need to make this possible.