{"id":8102,"date":"2014-09-22T05:54:06","date_gmt":"2014-09-22T03:54:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/responsive.jozikids.co.za\/zaparents\/?p=8102"},"modified":"2022-06-20T12:02:45","modified_gmt":"2022-06-20T10:02:45","slug":"nurturing-mom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jozikids.co.za\/blog\/parenting\/moms-mothers-single-mothers-being-a-mom\/nurturing-mom\/","title":{"rendered":"Nurturing mom"},"content":{"rendered":"

Did you know that nature supports mothers taking time out for themselves? If\u00a0 you mess with nature you end up actually being a less-caring mother \u2013 on a PHYSICAL level?<\/span><\/p>\n

We have a little hormone running through us called Oxytocin. You might remember it from your pregnancy and birth \u2013 it\u2019s the one that facilitates birth and helps with lactation and bonding with your baby. It is even sometimes referred to as the \u201cbonding hormone\u201d.<\/p>\n

Now most mothers forget about Oxytocin once they\u2019ve weaned their babies. So what most don\u2019t know is that Oxytocin is decreased by what I will call \u201cover-care\u201d. When you give and give and give and look after everyone else\u2019s needs not your own and put yourself last, you will tire yourself out. When you come to that point where your husband asks you for a bit of loving and you shout back at him \u201cI just have nothing left to give!!!\u201d you know you\u2019re running out of Oxytocin.<\/p>\n

Nature does not want you to be self-sacrificing or to give up on the things that bring you pleasure and rejuvenation. In fact, if your Oxytocin levels drop too low you won\u2019t even bond with your kids anymore. You can feel tired, drained, pessimistic and sucked-dry and you may even consider eating your offspring (or at least trying to send them back where they came from!). We need Oxytocin to empathise with, trust and love other human beings (including our own kids).<\/p>\n

So if you\u2019re already feeling like a murderous mom, here are some things that you can do to nurture yourself and at the same time up your Oxytocin levels and help yourself and your entire family:<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Get loads of hugs. From anyone and everyone. 8 hugs a day \u2013 minimum!<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Hold hands and make eye contact with your kids, your spouse, your friends. Even a handshake will release small amounts of Oxytocin. Long candlelit dinners gazing into your loved-one\u2019s eyes are better.<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Watch a chick-flick! Tearjerkers are awesome Oxytocin stimulators.<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Join a choir or go to a karaoke night with your friends. Singing in company makes our Oxytocin sing too.<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Take up the Tango orr any kind of partner dancing that takes your fancy.<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Do something scary \u2013 jump out of a plane, ride a rollercoaster, play paintball.<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Take a walk with a friend.<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Give and accept love and gifts.<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Spend time with your girlfriends.<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 If you can\u2019t get out to connect, at least pop onto Facebook and connect with your friends virtually.<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Eat bananas, eggs and peppers.<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Listen to soothing music.<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Breathe deeply.<\/p>\n

Make sure you are taking time out everyday to nurture yourself and your Oxytocin and you will be a much more empathetic, kind, caring mother. So the next time your partner asks you why you are going out AGAIN for a girl\u2019s movie, dinner and dancing evening, tell him it is essential for the survival of your children!<\/p>\n

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