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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Few things seem more natural than wanting to be happy. In fact, most people strive for happiness over many other life goals. While it may seem reasonable that happy people have more friends, enjoy more career success and live longer happier lives, there are some surprising negative consequences to seeking happiness alone. Happiness is essentially a narrow and short-lived experience related to what is happening in our immediate circumstances. Meaning is a culmination of our past, present, and future experiences, and its earnest pursuit results in emotional resilience, grit, and personal development.

Meditation is a powerful means for exploring troubling emotions, allowing us to mentally label them. Labeling our emotions helps us to cut the attachment with these negative emotions and develop healthy responses to them. When you go inwards and fully experience these emotions without judgment, you become disentangled or “unstuck”.