The term mindfulness seems to be thrown around left, right and centre at the moment.
Incorporating it into daily life for you and your children could be helpful given the current situation. It has been a strange year and one we are likely to not forget in a hurry. But as we start to see the light at the end of the tunnel, you may be left with a problem or issue you might not have had in the beginning. That might be that you, and more crucially, your children, who could be struggling with their mental wellbeing. You are not going to be the only one, so please don’t think you are alone. With the significant increase in anxiety and depression amongst young people, it is crucial to start thinking about mindfulness and how you can achieve it.
If you are worried about your children, here are some ways you can incorporate mindfulness into daily life.
Gratitude habits
When times are tough, it can be easy to focus on the challenging things within our lives rather than remembering all the positives, the aspects we ought to be thankful for. Building gratitude habits can help a change in mindset, encouraging a focus on what we have rather than what we don’t. Keeping a diary can be a valuable way of reflecting on the everyday rather than worrying about the trivial things that might be happening in that precise moment.
Read more
One of the first things to try would be to read more. Reading can be an excellent way for your children to switch off their mind and focus on something completely different. It also gives them a chance to use their imagination. Try and avoid your children reading things online, on a phone or tablet device, as this can be counterproductive. Instead, encourage them to read their books aloud to you or in a quiet spot in their bedroom. Reading can relax and help at night, especially if sleep is becoming a problem.
Colouring
If you think your child would like the idea of sitting down and doing something, then why not try colouring. It can be very therapeutic to sit and do something like colouring, and some children feel like it can be calming. It is great for mindfulness. Even as adults, we can find colouring very therapeutic, and it could be something you do together to get some balance and calm into your day.
Meditation
It might sound like this is something that you would be doing as an adult, but meditation can be so beneficial for your children as well and a great way to encourage mindfulness. There are some excellent guided meditations made with kids in mind, and it gives them a chance to learn relevant skills when it comes to mindset. Doing meditation with your child can be a great way to calm the mind and help them to feel better, especially as life has been so up and down. With home schooling and then back to school and the changes in their routines, meditation can be a great tool to help them overcome these struggles.
Exercising
Last of all, why not try exercising and encouraging your children to be more active? It could be a simple walk or a run, perhaps an exercise class or some yoga at home. The endorphins can really help clear their minds, alleviate any stress they might be experiencing and also help to relax as their bodies will be tired. It is a great way to approach mindfulness in a different way and should be one that you try and encourage more often.
I hope these tips help both you and your children when it comes to achieving mindfulness, relaxing and alleviating stress.
