Earth, Movement and More: 5 Easy Ways to Cleanse Your Mothering Soul

As moms, we juggle a lot, so here are 5 easy ways to cleanse your soul and help support your nervous system for optimal health. Incorporating these tips into your day to day can show you that little changes can have a big impact on your body’s innate ability to heal and thrive, and you can even do these tips with your kids to help them learn healthy habits to care for their well-being.

1. Walk barefoot on the earth: Walking on the earth or physically touching nature helps improve sleep, reduce pain, support gut health, reduce muscle tension and lower stress. When we connect with nature, we absorb negative ions and are exposed to powerful microbes that build our immunity. Mud can pull out toxins in our body, and the pressure points of uneven ground can have a positive impact on the entire body.

2. Movement: Movement can help shift your emotions and your mood. If you shift your body into a posture that expresses how you want to feel, you can help create that emotion in your body. Movement is a way for you to cope with difficult emotions and create a shift towards inner resilience.

3. Sing/Chant: Singing releases endorphins, decreases cortisol (stress hormones), improves oxygenation of the blood, and releases antibodies into your system. In short, singing helps strengthen your immune system, reduce stress, and improve your mental alertness.

4. Warmth: Warmth can help increase blood flow by opening up blood vessels. The movement of blood flow can assist with a heightened immune response and increased oxygenation of the blood to improve healing, immune function as well as provide a sense of calm and safety.

5. Breathe: Breath can help regulation the parasympathetic nervous system and can be naturally energizing and relaxing. Try this breathing exercise to support your system - Focus on your breath going in and out and up and down in your body. Slowly scan your body from head to foot and notice where it feels constrained or stuck in your body. Just notice these areas of tension without any judgement as the goal is to bring awareness to your body. Send breath to that area and notice any shifts in your body. Come back to just focusing on your breath.

Let me know what has worked to help cleanse your soul and keep you feeling good. I would love to share your ideas with the moms I work with.

Danielle Hughes is the Founder of Mothering Life and a mother of two. She is an INNATE Postpartum Care practitioner and Craniosacral Therapist. She provides information and resources to expectant and new mothers, so motherhood can be the celebration that it is meant to be.