“Vulnerability is the birthplace of love, belonging, joy, courage, empathy, and creativity.” Brene Brown

I peeled away the white hospital bed sheets from my body, knowing my newly born baby was happily asleep in his father’s arms. It was a good time to shower. As I turned on the tap, waiting for the water to heat up, I realised I was positioned too closely because water had accidentally sprayed onto my groin. However, when I looked up, that didn’t make sense, because I was nowhere near the water. I had peed myself.

Immense vulnerability flooded over me. I was half naked, standing in my urine, crying quiet tears. I had naturally birthed my baby; my body had just done the most incredible thing in the world, but I had lost total control of it. At that moment, every ounce of confidence followed my pee down the water pipes. Tired, emotional, and still full of adrenaline, I panicked, and my brain fabricated images of a broken bladder, of me wearing diapers along with my baby. If the tearing caused permanent damage? What if this is the new normal? I took a deep breath and laughed at the absurdity of my thoughts. I let the soothing water pour over me and relieve my fragility.

As my baby grew up, I noticed how much his body was naturally drawn to jumping. He loved to jump – in puddles, over rocks, and on the bed. Little ones have a biological drive to jump. It’s important for their gross motor skills, for muscle and bone development, for balance and body awareness, and pivotal for strengthening connections in the brain. And these aren’t things we grow out of. As adults, our bodies benefit from bouncing around, especially on trampolines. Trampolining stimulates our lymphatic system, assisting with detoxification, which is imperative for healthy immune function by getting rid of pathogens and cellular debris. Rebounding in this way has been shown to stimulate bone density and reduce the risk of bone conditions such as osteoporosis, brittle bone disease, and fractures. In terms of keeping your heart happy, a study conducted by NASA1 found that 10 minutes of trampolining is a superior cardiovascular workout compared to approximately 30 minutes of running. Not only is jumping good for our physical wellbeing, but this form of exercise is a great way to boost serotonin and endorphins, which elevate our mood, and it can assist with relaxation and improved sleep. Plus, the exhilaration that comes with playfully leaping and exploring new movements can activate hormones that raise energy levels, increase oxygen to the brain and generally make us feel more excited about life!

So why aren’t we jumping more often? For starters, one in three women experience some version of bladder loss after having a baby. Pregnancy and childbirth can weaken or stretch the pelvic floor muscles that support the bladder, so anything that places sudden pressure, such as sneezing, coughing, laughing, and jumping, can result in a bit of pee coming out. Although I did a lot of work to strengthen my pelvic floor muscles after birthing, I avoided jumping on trampolines. I had let the fear of what I had experienced in the hospital stain my perception of how incredible the human body is. I was afraid of letting myself be vulnerable in that way. However, inspired by my love of the mind and our innate desire to grow, it was time to face my fear.

The moment I stepped onto the trampoline, it was sensational. I felt a surge of the highest jumping insect is the froghopper (aka spittlebug). This tiny little dude, often found in grasslands can jump over 100 times their own body length! Picture a 6mm bug jumping 70 centimetres high. That’s some serious trampolining skills. anticipation and the rhythmic sense of buoyancy and weightlessness was euphoric. I jumped so hard. I let loose. Did I pee myself the first time back? Oh yes indeed, but this time, I didn’t cry. I stayed there, kept bouncing, and smiled, knowing that the vulnerability of this moment was an opportunity to reset; a birthplace for love, courage and determination to flourish. So, that’s what I did.

These days, you’ll find me rosy-cheeked, grinning from ear to ear, jumping high and doing all sorts of dance moves on our trampoline, daily. My bladder and pelvic floor muscles are mighty powerful and quite frankly, abso-freakin-lutely amazing. But it was vulnerability that allowed me to get there. It was vulnerability that enabled me to rebound into life with the vigour and pleasure, the way I always had. What are you avoiding in your life? Two words: Jump in

Did you know the highest jumping insect is the froghopper (aka spittlebug). This tiny little dude, often found in grasslands can jump over 100 times their own body length! Picture a 6mm bug jumping 70 centimetres high. That’s some serious trampolining skills.

Annia Baron is a Clinical Psychologist& Mindset Coach. Want to create a life you desire and deserve? Get in touch on Instagram @anniabaron or visit www.remindyourself.com