Mindfulness is all about focussing on the present moment, accepting
one’s thoughts and feelings, as well as any bodily sensations. It’s a type of
therapeutic technique to reduce feelings of anxiety and depression that are
caused by obtrusive thoughts. With all that said, you might want to consider
exploring mindfulness with your child so that they are better able to manage
their emotions. Read on for some tips from an independent school in
Enfield.
Mindful Walks
Taking a walk through nature is a great opportunity to practise
mindfulness because it’s a very sensory activity. Next time you’re out for a
walk with your child, ask them to think about what they can see, hear, feel,
smell, or even taste. Share some examples of your own to inspire them, such as
the leaves crunching underfoot or the soft breeze on your face. By tuning into
the senses within a given moment, your child will feel distracted against
anything that might be making them feel stressed or anxious, like school exams
or friendship problems.
Mindful Bedtime
Practising mindfulness at bedtime is a great way to help your child
doze off at night. Encourage them to lie down in bed, close their eyes, and
consider how each part of their body is feeling, from the top of their head to
the tips of their toes. Ask them to work their way up or down, considering how
their body feels against the sheets and mattress.
Mindful Snacks
Mindfulness can be practised when doing the most mundane of things,
like eating a snack. Encourage your child to truly embrace the moment by
thinking about the texture and flavour of what they’re eating, rather than
letting the moment pass by without giving it much thought. The trick is to
encourage them to savour each bite.
If you are looking for more ideas when it comes to exploring
mindfulness with your child, there are lots of apps and information online that
you can look into. Just remember to take it slow and practise often until it
starts to come naturally to them.
No comments:
Post a Comment