Meditation can be quite the excellent practice for people of any age – especially children. There is a possibility that it can help improve a child’s mental health even as they grow into adults. We will discover how the pieces of the puzzle come together in this guide. We live in an age where we talk about mental health more often than ever before.
As such, it is important to make sure people live healthier lives – even if they are dealing with mental health challenges, stress, and related issues. Let’s talk more about the mindfulness practices children can use to improve and maintain their mental health.
What is the Connection Between Mindfulness and Mental Health?
Mindfulness is a practice that can help enhance one’s mental health for the long-term. Practicing it on a regular basis has been linked to numerous symptoms of common mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, and stress in both adults and children. In addition, it can allow children to regulate their emotions so they can have more control over their experiences as well as an improved level of self-esteem.
If you choose the right Virtual Integrative Psychiatry, such as Different MHP, they notice this connection of mindfulness and mental health. As such, they want to help children achieve it by way of providing numerous resources for families and educators alike. Plus, with solid community efforts, children can have an excellent support system at their disposal to help improve their mental health for the long-term.
What Are Some Effective Mindfulness Practices For Children?
It should be noted that there are plenty of mindfulness practices that exist for children. We will take a look at each one and how they can be beneficial to them. These include but are not limited to:
- Mindful breathing: In this approach, you’re teaching children how to focus on their breath. In fact, this might be the introductory practice to mindfulness. Children can incorporate belly breathing and anchor themselves in the present. It can be an excellent approach if a child feels overwhelmed or stressful.
- Gratitude practice: This will allow a child to focus on positive things instead of the negative. Children can use a gratitude journal or even share moments that they are grateful for – whether it’s at dinner time or before they go to bed. It will teach a child how to reflect on what may have happened during the day, what could have gone better, and so on.
- Guided imagery: This visualization exercise will allow a child to use their imagination. They can imagine that they are in a peaceful place with the intent to relax as well as reduce anxiety. Another thing they can do is relieve a favorite memory in their mind. Think of it like a movie being played in their mind over and over again, allowing them to gather all the key details of what they remember.
- Body scans: A guided mindfulness technique that can allow a child to focus on different parts of their body. This is intended to release tension that may exist and provide an opportunity for a child to relax. It will allow a child to sharpen their self-awareness abilities along with their ability to identify areas where they are discomforted – emotionally or physically.
- Mindful movement: Physical activities like tai chi and yoga can be great when mixed with other mindfulness activities. Nonetheless, the practice itself can help with balance, emotional regulation, and body awareness.
How Can Families Practice Mindfulness At Home?
With the list of effective mindfulness practices mentioned, we can turn our attention now to how families can perform such activities at home. It is important to make regular plans so both parents and children get involved.
Here’s what can be done:
- Create a space: By creating a quiet area in your home, it can be a place where children (and yes the whole family) can practice mindfulness regularly. Be sure to include the space with calming decor, comfortable seating, or even use tools like apps that offer guided meditation.
- Be a model for mindfulness: As an adult, children will often emulate the way you act and behave. For this reason, you too can practice mindfulness yourself and be able to enjoy the benefits that go along with it. Display certain practices like performing breathing exercises in stressful moments of practicing gratitude. Your children will be able to notice this and be able to do the same once they pick up on it.
- Practice as a family together: By incorporating regular mindfulness into a usual family routine, it will allow everyone to take part. This includes mindful breathing exercises, a “gratitude circle” where everyone shares something positive about the day, and much more.
- Use mindful apps wisely: Mindfulness apps and similar tools can be excellent. However, don’t be too over dependent on technology when it comes to practicing mindfulness. It’s best to find the balance between using technology and connection with the environment.
Final Thoughts
The idea of practicing mindfulness and incorporating it into a child’s routine can help improve mental health. Your child can be able to learn better ways to deal with stress, overwhelm, and other issues that may affect their mental health. The sooner you can get them to practice mindfulness, the better.
As they get older, they can be able to navigate through life knowing they have the tools to be able to control their stress, maintain good mental health, and be able to pass it to another generation when the time comes.