Dr. Simone’s Mind Space

Reinventing parenting: family vs. me time

After six months of parenting, a retrospection is beneficial. We have both chosen to start working, right after our son was born. Both a great feeling of accomplishment and yet also a feeling of missing out on the most precious family time.

The rollercoaster of emotions is something I was very aware of and prepared for, yet still caught off guard by how intense the feelings can be. You can prepare as much as you like, yet still not be ready for the challenges and the great joy a child can bring. Several times I noticed how I’ve been pushed to the limit of my abilities and patience. The unknown, the unpredictability are the most challenging aspects of parenthood. Even though I’ve been prepared for these situations, the degree of challenge was quite overwhelming, particularly on days being alone with the baby boy and working at the same time. Arriving at home with the baby and being hungry were the moments I wished having a helper 24/7 rather just a babysitter.

 

@drschwank

@unesurcent

@optimalperformancezurich

Six months of parenting

It’s been and is an ongoing journey of self-reflection, introspection, boundary testing, and identity transformation. Recently, lots of self doubts, lack of self/confidence as a parent, particularly when being more than 24h alone with the baby.

It takes a village to raise a child. This phrase becomes extra relevant, when one’s partner is away. It’s such a great feeling of liberation to breathe and take a quick swim, nap, spend a lunch alone because a friend takes your baby for just a couple of mins or hours. I’ve personally done so from the very beginning and am privileged to have an amazing team of my two praxis colleagues, who are always there to help. If we as parents get our needs met, we’re able to attend and dedicate our time fully to our children.

 

@drschwank

@unesurcent

@optimalperformancezurich

Injuries and heeling: the role of collagen

This is Agi explaining how growing up on a Collagen rich diet has benefited her with her injury and why it is important to supplement with Collagen, especially if exercising a lot and doing high impact sports like running.

 

@drschwank

@unesurcent

@optimalperformancezurich

@agichristine

@formetta

@dr._vanessa_crai

Global travel with a 4 months old baby

Traveling long hall with a 4 months old baby for a month in Asia requires some serious packing and planning. Mostly in regards to what clothes and apothecary to bring.

The planning involves minimizing the luggage, but making sure we wont be freezing or stuck without the suitable outfits for humid climates, such as in Singapore or a crispy breeze on a mountain top in South Korea. 

The mix of living in two countries, in addition traveling, and both parents working, requires extensive organization and support of many dedicated helpers, babysitters, nannies, friends, and family. 

We can have it all, if we do reassure ourselves that we can. I'm a much better parent, dedicated, passionate, loving, when I get my self-care moments into my day. 

Organize yourself, dare to take and invest in support. Yet, it's everyone's business, how they decide to raise their children and live up to their personal expectations. 

LIVE AND LET LIVE, my number one credo, when it comes to children.

 

@drschwank

@unesurcent

@optimalperfromancezurich

 

 

 

 

Expert series: Optimize your performance using CBD

 

Optimal Performance Zurich - OPZ collaborates with Sharon Tsai, founder of True North Labs, to create a CBD-based wellness patch called To the Rescue. This method of CBD delivery is unique and greatly differs from oral-based products such as tincture oils. Each patch is precisely dosed and allows for CBD and other feel good ingredients to be absorbed in the body over a course of 8-12 hours. Listen to learn more about how to use the patch and the best ways to incorporate this fun and effective wellness hack into your daily routine.

 

@optimalperformancezurich

@drschwank

@praxiskreis2

@unesurcent

 

Alpex Pharma https://www.alpex.com/ 

Alpen Group http://alpengroup.com/

CBD the way to go

Dealing with sleep issues, insomnia, struggling with anxiety, depression, ADHD, and for many women during their monthly cycle, CBD can reduce symptoms, incl. pain, and there with contribute greatly to an improved life quality.

The benefits of a natural product, over chemical substances often taken to reduce the burden of diverse issues, such as insomnia, depression, and anxiety. CBD has clear benefit in improving life quality in a more organic, rather than medical prospect.

The lifestyle component of CBD shouldn’t be underestimated, as it mentally promotes well-being over medicalisation and somatisation.

@drschwank

@optimalperformance

@unesurcent

Sources: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/16/style/self-care/cbd-oil-benefits.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare

Survival tips for grey winter days

In today’s podcast live from sunny lake side promenade in Zurich, with my guest Marie from Southern California, we discuss how to survive grey winter days.

Winter and darkness, fog, rain, and lack of sunlight impacts many people’s well-being during the northern hemisphere.

 

What can we do to boost our energy and cheer up:

-Exercise, especially during the bright daylight hours. No matter rain or sun.

-Winter swimming, a pure endorphin booster.

-Meet and be active with friends.

-Head to the mountains for snow and bright sunlight.

-Go for a walk when it’s sunny in your area or grab lunch, a coffee in the pre spring sun (We promise, it’s a game changer!)

-Plan a trip to warmer sunnier climate.

-Light therapy, use a SAD lamp at home.

-Reach out to an expert before symptoms get too severe.

-Psychotherapy can support you through the darkest months of the year.

 

@drschwank

@unesurcent

@optimalperformancezurich

@swipedbyaswiss

What’s positive about menopause?

Menopause has a primarily negative connotation. Long lists of symptoms both physical and psychiatrist ones. Yet, one can also look at the upsides of this transitional phase in life. The mature self, developed over years and many different stages of development. A journey of personal growth. The woman in menopause can have an incredible sex life, as a result of all the accumulated experience over the life trajectory. Menopausal women know what they want and often have the confidence to ask for it or even demand it. There is further no more concern about unwanted pregnancies, since fertility is out of discussion. This can result in pure pleasure, laissez faire, and simply being true to oneself and the needs. 

 

@drschwank

@unesurcent

@optimalperformancezurich 

It needs a village to raise a child

Sitting at my favorite beauty studio getting my nails done, while baby Raphaël is being taken care of by the wonderful ladies here.

What a magic time for me and him too! It needs a village to raise a child. This is what I fondly believe! The more a child is exposed to different people the better for his future development.

We both decided that he needs to learn from an early age on, that there’s other people around him, that love him just as much as his parents do. It makes my mommy life so so much more enjoyable, having multiple helping, baring hands.

 

I always felt that quality time with anyone goes before quantity time. Especially, with a child, the quality of the engagement with the child is what matters and children mirror that back immediately. It is way more important to dedicate one’s full attention to a child under a shorter period of time, rather than spending all day and night with a child without being attentive nor present and genuinely interested. Less but focused attention can absolutely be more for everyone’s well-being!

 

@drschwank

@unesurcent

@optimalperformancezurich

New business mom in style

To me, personal style in attitude and fashion during pregnancy, in the hospital, and postpartum are essential for maintaining a sense of identity as a woman.

This is why I put a lot of effort and time in rethinking my wardrobe. It’s been possible that way to wear the same as pre pregnancy, with a twist emphasising the confidence to be an entrepreneur, business woman, company owner, and simultaneously proud new mom.

 

Personal styling tips

• Dress for success
• Style that conveys self-confidence
• Repurpose you fashion accessories to become mommy essentials (i.e. Chanel travel purse became essential diaper bag)
• Keep it simple, yet classy!
• Use accessories to pimp up your style
• Fit all in a Birkin bag, instead of a multicolored, functional backpack
• Kelly to go and Chanel phone bag perfect company when out with your baby carry

 

Brands I’m obsessed with:

• Atelier Choux
• Bonpoint
• Tartine et chocolate
• Oscar & Valentine
• Il Gufo
• Livly
• En Soie Zurich
• Chantecaille Bébé
• Coolest family store Paris Smallable
• Antipope baby carry
• Cybex stroller
• Stokke crib
• Moon baby chair

 

@drschwank

@unesurcent

@optimalperformancezurich