Weekends may as well be the best invention in the whole wide world. It's a way to slow down, enjoy ignoring the to-do list and spend quality time with family. I have been doing a ton of reading on how I can bring mindful living into my everyday life as a working mother. I have noticed that mindfulness has helped me to stay centered, calm and grateful for the here and now. I am less reactive and a whole lot more patient. I feel less overwhelmed by the demands of motherhood and I notice myself having thoughts of gratitude.

If you are enjoying my mindfulness page on the blog, be sure to follow along with my #pocketofmymind series on Instagram, where I post tips and tricks on how you can integrate mindfulness into your life.

Below are 10 tips I have loved trying at home this month.

A Mindful Shower/Wash Face: This is my favorite way to wake up in the morning. If I don't have time to shower, I always wash my face. Whether I am in the shower or washing my face, I focus on how it feels physically in my body. I notice the temperature of the water (is it hot or cold?), the texture of the washcloth (is it rough or smooth?) and the way the soap and bubbles feel against my skin (do they tickle, can I feel them?). Taking 1-2 minutes to start your day with mindfulness really sets the tone for the day. You can even try this exercise while brushing your teeth!
Dance Party: This is one of my favorite things to do with Winter. At least once a day, I drop everything to dance with her. We crank up the music and I focus on how the song makes me feel. I try to pick songs that elicit a sense of silliness or freedom and definitely stay away from songs that make me reminisce about the past (because it's all about the present, right?!). When I dance, I really focus on noticing the tempo of the song (is it slow or fast?), how each foot feels on the ground (paying attention to balance), the way my hair brushes up against my back or face as I sway (if it is down), and what emotion I feel during the dance.
Give a 3-Breath-Hug: The next time you go to hug your child, take three synchronized, deep breaths while hugging your child or significant other. While my daughter is too young to understand how to breathe with me, there is still benefit for both parties involved when I model it for her. I label each movement. I say "breath in" on the inhales and "breath out" on the exhales and count each breath as I go. She has recently started to count along with me.
Say Self-Compassion Affirmations: If you are anything like me, then you spend entirely too much time focusing on what you are not, what you haven't accomplished and what you didn't do right. I have been working super hard to bring some more awareness to how I am treating myself. I stumbled upon this worksheet from Mindfulness Exercises and I use it every week to remind myself to bring love and gratitude for who I am and what I can do.
Write a "To-Be" List: In the morning, during nap time, or before bed, take 3 minutes to write a to-be list. Write down how you are "being" in that in the very moment. Are you being understanding, loving and kind? Are you being negative, impatient, or short? If you don't like the adjectives you chose and want to strive for a more compassionate demeanor in the moments to come, try writing a new list with 3 qualities that you want to be. By being intentional with how we treat others and checking our actions, we can become more mindful about our relationships and responses to various situations.

*This post has affiliate links, meaning if you choose to buy something, I will make a small percentage of the sale so I can continue to write and support my family.

Want to read about more quick mindfulness for mothers? I highly recommend this book: Breathe Mama Breathe by Shonda Moralis. Some of the tips and tricks and I wrote about in the blog post came from it :)