Postpartum Depression

Interviewed for Medill on the Hill

Mindfulness is the practice of cultivating an intentional, non-judgmental awareness of the present moment. It is a practice of grounding ourselves in the present, rather than getting engrossed in worry about the future or rumination about the past. It is a very helpful tool to manage anxiety during times of uncertainty and stress. There are lots of ways to easily integrate a mindfulness practice into your everyday life.

Today’s coping suggestion is to practice mindfully engaging in an activity you tend to do mindlessly by engaging your five senses. For example, take an activity such as brushing your teeth or drinking a cup of coffee and slow it down. Focus on the sense of taste, the sense of smell, the sound it makes, the sense of touch or texture, and your sense of sight. Slow it down and be curious. There is no right or wrong way to feel. The goal is just to be present in your experience.