Mental Health and Wellness with Headspace

Andy Puddicombe Co-Founder Headspace 

We all need time to unwind and what better way to do so than with the easy to use daily meditation app, Headspace. I was so excited to attend the serene and tranquil Headspace event this past week for a lovely luncheon hosted by Mom Trends.

Zen Table Decor

Andy Puddicombe and Rich Pierson

Meeting the creators, Andy Puddicombe and Rich Pierson, was unreal! Andy is the voice of the app and studied as a Buddhist Monk. Hearing him speak about his experience and giving us guidance and recommendations was inspirational.  Plus, his voice alone can bring you an immediate sense of calm! We even enjoyed a private meditation session with Andy himself. How cool is that!

The app is easy to use for the whole family. They even recommend introducing mediation to kids as early as 3 years old.  With over 15 million app downloads, seems like they know what they are talking about.

Gearing up for the Meditation Session with Andy

I recently tried meditation over Mother's Day weekend and have been craving more ever since. I checked out the local meditation center in my area and the times just didn't work with my schedule. I know all you busy mom's out there can relate! Making time for yourself is nearly impossible, and finding time to mediate might not fall on the top of the list. But with the Headspace app you CAN find the time, in the comfort of you own home. I love doing the daily session at night. Most nights it's nearly midnight which is when I can finally sit down and relax. Taking the 3 or 5 minutes to do this over the past 10 days has actually already changed the way I feel and cope... even sleep.

The group getting into the Meditation Session

Dealing with the daily stresses like kids, work and taking care of the house can leave you overwhelmed and overworked. I notice a change since starting Headspace especially in how I react to the little things. No really! For example, when the kids bicker or argue this triggers a harsh reaction from me. It really makes my blood boil!! Showing kindness and showing them how to deal with situations in a compassionate way is what we all hope for and strive for but its not always the knee jerk reaction I have. 

Sharing stories with other moms

But with the use of the guided meditation app Headspace I have felt myself being much less flustered and have shown more patience dealing with situations like this. I am not saying it has totally changed me but the level of stress that situation normally brings me has defiantly gone down. The time I am taking to help my mental health and wellness is actually helping me in everyday life and helping me be a better mom. 

Lovely table decor

Brianne from Stroller in the City and me having fun being zen!

Seating for Meditation

The kids can benefit too! I have started having the older two kids test out the app. I am not forcing them at all and Andy, the creator and voice of the app, will tell you the same thing. He recommends introducing it and seeing how they like it. I talked to my kids about how it helped me and how I thought it could help them and they both were super open to trying it! 

My older son found himself wanting it before bed. Asking "Mom, can I use that app for a few minutes before bed?" I was a bit shocked at how much he liked it and how he felt the improvement within himself only after a few tries. He has a hard time unwinding at night and I think he liked how the session gave him the opportunity to be restful and calm before he needed to fall asleep. He normally turns to reading but that sometimes can stimulate his brain more, leaving him restless at bedtime. 

Enjoying the luncheon with Alexandra Kohan from Mad Mama NYC

Andy also recommended writing a message to the kids each night in a journal, telling them one thing you love about them each day. And then at the end of the summer, give them the book to read and keep. I just love this idea! Why just tell them, this way they have it in writing as a precious keepsake. 

Moms having fun! Brianne Manz, Vera Sweeney, Lauren Dimet Waters, Audrey McClellen

The app has options for everyone from running mediations to anti-anxiety to grief. There is a unique guided meditation session ready for you. 

Next up is getting my husband onboard! Stress can cause so much harm to your body over time and as a New Yorker he is constantly in the hustle and bustle of city life so it's even more important for him to take the time to decompress and recenter. The difference in how I was feeling was basically immediate. I'm hooked! 

Ice Cream Bar - perfect way to send us off on this warm summer afternoon

I'd love to hear from you and if you like it too! Download the app now with this 40% off Code.

https://www.headspace.com/buy/checkout/summary?voucherCode=DOWNTOWNCHICMOMS

This link is a customized code for my readers. It offers one year of Headspace for 40% off for the Downtown Chic Moms community. This offer expires July 4, 2018!

We all left with amazing gift bags with perfect summer beach towels, perfect headphones to zone out with Headspace and much more

Instructions to upload the code:  

Register and enter the promo code here: https://www.headspace.com/code. Once you log into the app on your phone, it will automatically connect to the subscription you just activated. 

Why the code is useful:  

It's free to download but only the basic pack session is free. A subscription gives you access to the full Headspace Library, which has hundreds of meditations, mindfulness exercises and animations to help you build the practice. 

Nicole Feliciano from Mom Trends telling us about her journey with Mediation

• Over 30 packs of themed meditations on specific topics like stress and sleep
• Dozens of one-off exercises designed to add more mindfulness to your day
• Super-short mini meditations you can do anytime. Great for busy schedules
• Sleep Sounds that help ease the mind into a truly restful night’s sleep
• Animations that guide you through essential meditation techniques and bring to life traditional stories like the Very Impatient Yogi
• Continued guidance from former monk, and Headspace co-founder, Andy Puddicombe

This post is Sponsored but all opinions are my own.