Mindfulness is a word you hear a lot nowadays, but do you really know what it means and what it is? Mindfulness means paying full attention to something. That something could be the game you are playing with your sibling, or just your own breathing pattern. It is a way of saying that you are truly focused on the task at hand.
Did you know that even when you feel like you are fully focused on your game, your brain may be trying to distract you with other thoughts? You probably notice this the most when you are daydreaming in class or worried while taking a test. Practicing mindfulness can help you focus and reduce those worries you may feel. The activities below can help you get started, but if you find your thoughts are wandering, just start over. Practice will make it easier.
Simple Mindfulness Activities
- Take a walk and stop to admire and name all the flowers you see.
- Sit outside with your eyes closed and take note of all the sounds you hear.
- Sit or lay in a comfortable position with soft music playing. Take a deep breath in through your nose and out through your mouth. As you continue to breath in and out, take note of the muscles that move with each breath.
- Same as above, but this time count each breath 1-10 and then repeat 4 times.
- Before you go to bed each night list 3 worries from the day and 5 things that were good that happened. The good thing could be as small as "I didn't get toothpaste on my shirt while brushing my teeth this morning." Talk about the worries and the good things with your grown up.
Happy: A Beginners Book of Mindfulness by Nicola Edwards (J 158.12 EDW)
My Mixed Emotions: Help Your Kids Handle Their Feelings by Elinor Greenwood (J 152.4 GRE)
Just Feel: How to be Stronger, Happier, Healthier, and More by Mallika Chopra (J 152.4 CHO)
Healing Breath: A Guided Meditation Through Nature For Kids by William Meyer (J 158.12 MEY)