When I was pregnant, I imagined the very balanced, wellness-inspired life I'd lead as a mom. I'd work! I'd be an involved parent! I'd make time to exercise! I wouldn't forget to prioritize self care!
Seven months into motherhood, three of which have been in the pandemic, I now consider finding time to take a shower an accomplishment (I used to think that was a parenting cliché; I now know better). A quick run while my husband entertains our baby in between his Zoom meetings? Total luxury.
So even though I know the benefits of meditation are many (focusing on your breath can reduce stress and anxiety, and for moms-to-be, meditation may even help alleviate pregnancy symptoms like fatigue and insomnia), I've been skeptical about my ability to actually incorporate a meditation practice into my routine, let alone get much out of it.
Enter Expectful. There is no shortage of meditation apps out there, but Expectful, which launched in 2017, was designed with pregnant women, new moms and women just embarking on their fertility journeys in mind.
That's important, because not only are moms and moms-to-be dealing with unique stressors — there's the stress of growing and raising a tiny human being, of course, not to mention doing it during a global pandemic — but their schedules are different, too. Sitting on a meditation cushion at the same time every morning is probably not practical for the average new parent, for example.
When you sign up for an Expectful account, you'll be asked to share your current reproductive stage (trying to get pregnant, pregnant, newly postpartum or well immersed in motherhood). The meditation exercises you're shown will reflect the stage you're at.
Expectful's large library of guided meditations is categorized by the goal you'd like to accomplish during your practice (think deep relaxation or emotional self care), then you can select a specific exercise within each category (like "Caring for Yourself as a Mother" or "Embracing Your Identity").
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Some of the meditations can even be listened to while out and about with baby, such as toting him in a carrier or pushing him in a stroller. The stroller meditations are my favorites. With her gentle, soothing voice, the narrator encourages you to clear your mind while you walk — focusing on the steps you take, the sounds you hear around you and your baby sitting a few feet from you.
Each guided meditation is available in 5-, 10- or 20-minute lengths — and while short, I've found that even the 5-minute meditations make a difference, especially on days when I'm feeling particularly frenzied. Not to mention, telling myself "This will only take 5 minutes," is often the motivation I need to make meditation a priority.
And while I've been using the app as a new mom, moms-to-be will appreciate a slew of other great features: meditations for each week of pregnancy, stories to help you fall asleep and even a guided audio to help you mentally prepare for labor.
Get started: $60 yearly membership after a 30-day free trial; Expectful.com
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