Skip to main content

Relaxation, Rhythm, and Ritual during the time of Uncertainty


As a doula I am often speaking with my clients about the importance of the Three Rs in Labor.  The terms coined by Penny Simkin refer to Relaxation, Rhythm, and Ritual as the essences of coping in labor in place of Fear, Tension, and Pain.  As our society is in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, I have found myself turning to these techniques in my own life as a way to cope during this time of uncertainty.  I wanted to share these thoughts in hopes that like with birth, we can embrace the uncertainty one day/contraction at a time until the birth of healing arrives for our nation.

Relaxation
Uncertainty can make even the calmest person feel some stress.  The key to relaxation is understanding what is and isn’t in your control.  The simplest thing you have control over is your body and mind.  Check in with yourself.  Are you feeling tense in your body?  Are your thoughts racing?  Take time to acknowledge these feelings and move toward a more positive place.  Two minutes of deep breathing, a long shower, or doing an enjoyable activity can all be helpful.
Support of loved ones also helps to ease tensions.  Make time to connect with these people.  A good conversation, a great laugh, and even sometimes the time to cry all offer a good oxytocin release.  Be honest, loving, and kind with each other.   
Rhythm
When times are uncertain, developing a rhythm can be comforting.  Plan out some goals for the day. Being able to look to this list throughout the day can keep you focused and not drift into worry.  Include that time for self-care.  Activities like daily chores offer a distraction and help move the day forward.   Take time to read that book, try a new recipe, indulge in that nap, or watch that film.  For many of us, time is what we now have of an abundance.

Ritual
Develop a routine.  Every day doesn’t have to be the same, but predictability can help in uncertain times.  Children thrive when a routine is present.  Adults in our own way are the same.  Focus on the basics and add more as you are willing and able.  You will find the times passing faster when you know what is coming and have a plan.

Be flexible.  If one form of relaxation isn’t working, try something different.  Many options are still open to you if you look for them.  Hang in there.  Tomorrow, next week, and next month will all be different from today.  Just take it one day at a time.

Blessings,
Leah Garner
Doula, Wife, Mother, and Friend
www.gracioushandsdoula.com

Labels

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The night the Operating Room went dark…

Have you ever seen an OR room with the lights turned off?   Everything put away in its place?   All is clean and sterile?   All is quiet?    Empty…? I must confess that in my own experience I had never seen it happen.   I am sure it is the case; an ordinary occurrence for the staff of the hospitals.   But for me, my view of an OR has been quite different.   When I visualize an OR, it is bright, filled with people, lots of noises, and it is very cold.   You often see more of the ceiling than you do of the floor, or even the surrounding walls.   The color of blue scrubs and screens fill one’s view. And yet…there was the night the OR went dark. It was a late night supporting a client that needed baby delivered in a hurry.   Everyone was prepped, mom was taken in, baby made her arrival, and mom slowly rejoined the conscious world as she felt her baby on her chest. I notice over my shoulder that staff were finishing u...
Post a Comment
Read more

Feeding the hungry mother-Macaroni & Cheese

As a new mother... or even a veteran mother you sometimes find yourselves feeling hungry at random times of the day.  For myself 10 o'clock in the morning is the time when I realize that while I did drink my coffee that morning, the toddler stole my breakfast and I never got anything else during the hustle and bustle of the morning.  Post Toddler Theft Count Chocula Cereal   This in between time where breakfast no longer sounds appealing but lunch seems too far away, I find myself glancing through the pantry for a suitable snack to tide me over. While I am reading some great books about healthy food options for pregnancy and postpartum, today I was looking for something purely comfort food based that would take little effort and time. As a result, I present to you Microwave Macaroni N Cheese ! The ingredients are pretty simple.  Macaroni noodles, water, milk, cheese, salt, and pepper Find your largest mug that is microwave safe. Inside add 1...
1 comment
Read more