Yoga Nidra Meditation for Neurodivergent Parents

Meditation can feel like something that seems “too hard to do” or when you don't see/think about meditation, it becomes out of sight and out of mind. However, I feel that starting a meditation practice that isn't overly rigid (not a daily challenge that you think that you need to achieve), can benefit neurodivergent parents.

I've always had a very busy mind and when I discovered Yoga Nidra meditation, before becoming a mum, I was amazed at how much I was able to relax and quieten my thoughts. I fell in love with the practice and trained to teach Yoga Nidra meditation with others to share the wonderful benefits that it can bring. It has helped me feel more rested and given me an energy boost during pregnancy, the newborn haze and up until now in the toddler years.

In this blog post, I share why I believe that Yoga Nidra is the best meditation for neurodivergent parents to help manage stress, so that you can have more periods of rest.

Yoga Nidra: What is it?

Yoga Nidra is a type of meditation that helps you relieve stress on a mental, emotional, and physical level.  

During Yoga Nidra you're guided through a sequence of techniques designed to help you to progressively relax, such as a body scan, counting, and visualisation.

There are periods of silence to allow you to connect with your inner world, that can help you develop a greater sense of self-awareness. 

It can feel like you're about to fall asleep (or you might fall asleep!) while practicing the meditation, as it aims to shift your brainwaves to a space in between being conscious and subconscious, the liminal state in between.

In a world of constant mental stimulation, ups and downs of moods, and loud noises, and having a busy mind, it can seem like quiet moments are a rare luxury.

Yoga Nidra is a wonderful way to create a quieter and calmer mind, because when you feel calm it radiates to your whole family. If you're interested in Yoga Nidra for children, I have a free audio meditation that you can download here.

Managing Stress as a Parent who is Neurodivergent  

Parenting is a rollercoaster journey and can feel even more so as a neurodivergent parent. Raising kids brings many moments of unpredictability, noise, high emotions, and feelings of exhaustion and overwhelm.

Meditation can be a powerful tool to manage stress as a neurodivergent parent. There are many types of meditation that can help you release stress and feel more present in your daily life.

Yoga Nidra meditations can vary in length, however I was taught that they should be at least 20 minutes.

It might feel difficult to create at least 20 minutes in your schedule for meditation. However, not putting pressure on yourself to start meditating 20 minutes every day can help you build a more sustainable practice. Rather than starting daily then after a couple of weeks you stop because it isn't something that you feel able to keep doing.

You can start practicing Yoga Nidra meditation once a week, then gradually build up to twice a week and so on. You might even feel that 1-2 times a week is the right number of days for you to practice for a while to begin with.

When you practice regularly you'll start noticing your stress levels decrease and feeling more patient and present. That means you can release some of the mental and emotional load that you carry while on your neurodivergent parenting journey.

Support for Neurodivergent Parents 

When looking online, you might find that there tends to be a lot more resources and materials available for neurodivergent children compared to support for neurodivergent parents.

Having a toolbox of ways to support your mental wellbeing on your parenting journey can help make times that feel overwhelming and exhausting lighter.

Receiving support when starting a new activity, such as a meditation practice, is one way to feel encouraged and motivated to continue prioritising your mental health. 

I often have times when I feel really motivated and have energy to follow through on things, then later in the day or week the mental tiredness from the constant internal planning and thinking brings a dip in motivation.

I empathise that trying to keep up with everything from supporting your child, managing your own emotions, replying to emails and messages, making snacks and meals, and everything else can be exhausting.

That's why having some extra support can make a big difference so you're able to focus and not forget about yourself amongst the hectic days.

FAQs: Yoga Nidra Meditation for Parents who are Neurodivergent 

What if I can't sit still while meditating? 

Yoga Nidra is practiced lying down in a yoga posture called Savasana (lying down on your back or side if pregnant/you're unable to lie on your back). This is usually the posture that is at the beginning or end of a yoga class and is an accessible and beginner friendly yoga posture.

Although it is recommended to stay still throughout the meditation, if you need to move, have music playing in your room, have your eyes lowered instead of fully closed, or anything else please do. 

Meditation is a personal experience and you can adapt how you practice Yoga Nidra to however best meets your unique needs.

Can Yoga Nidra help improve sleep? 

Yes. Due to the restorative nature of Yoga Nidra meditation it helps relax your mind and body and some people even fall asleep during the practice, or shortly after.

It is said that 30 minutes of Yoga Nidra is equivalent to 2-4 hours of sleep! 

This is a key reason that I think that Yoga Nidra is the best meditation for neurodivergent parents.

Being overstimulated and potentially not being able to sleep, you might be the primary parent who co-regulates and supports your child during the day and through the night. Or you might struggle to sleep and being kept awake due to worrying or replaying things during the day, can make you feel even more mentally tired. 

Having Yoga Nidra as a practice that you can access makes a huge difference for when your energy is running low and you're not having much sleep.

Listening to meditation regularly can help improve the quality of your sleep as releasing stress can support you to feel more settled before sleeping. It can be a relaxing activity to add to your evening routine.

However, Yoga Nidra also gives people more energy and for some individuals practicing in the morning or afternoon can be a better time in case of any unwanted spikes in energy before bedtime!

You'll be able to notice how you're feeling after your first time practicing and be able to adapt what time of day feels best for you to practice. 

Yoga Nidra for Neurodivergent Parents: Next Steps

Yoga Nidra is a beginner-friendly type of meditation, within yoga, that’s a tool to help you experience deep rest so you can nourish your mind, body and soul. 

It's a restorative practice that can help you manage stress, which means you can reduce feeling like you're going to burnout.

If you would like more guidance about starting a Yoga Nidra meditation practice I have two ways that I can help you with this:

My 3-month Deep Rest programme was designed especially for neurodivergent parents so you can be supported on your self-care journey with monthly online Yoga Nidra meditation, reflections, weekly check-ins and more.

If working together 1:1 isn't for you at the moment, don't worry I have another way that you can experience Yoga Nidra as an audio download, for parents and caregivers in neurodiverse families.

Listen as many times as you like at a time that suits you!