Add to that the anxiety and uncertainty that parents and
children are feeling during this pandemic as we are bombarded
with news of coronavirus cases rising and everything around us
shutting down, and you see that stress levels must be addressed.
Practicing mindfulness can help us and our children cope with
these changes and the stress and fear that we are feeling.
We hear the word mindfulness thrown around a lot, but what
does it mean exactly?
According to mindful.org, “Mindfulness is the basic human
ability to be fully present, aware of where we are and what
we’re doing, not overly reactive or overwhelmed by what’s
going on around us.” So, as our minds try to run away with what
ifs and fears for the future, mindfulness helps bring us back to
the present, which decreases stress and fearfulness. When we
focus on this day, this moment, we aren’t gripped in anxiety
about tomorrow. We are living now and trying to find joy and
connectedness now. Mindfulness prevents us from becoming
so lost in our fears about the future that we miss today.
In order for us to teach mindfulness to our children, we
should first practice it for ourselves. To begin this practice, I
recommend downloading one of the many meditation apps
available. If you prefer not to use an app, you can go to YouTube
to find free guided meditations, or just choose to do this simple
beginner meditation.
• Sit in a comfortable position, straighten your spine, drop
your chin, and close your eyes.
• Relax and focus on the sensations of your breathing. Feel
your breath entering through your nose, filling up your
lungs. Feel how your chest expands with the breath, and no-
tice the sensations of blowing the breath out through your
mouth. Feel your chest contract as the breath leaves you.
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