Between managing life in a pandemic, our kids, homeschooling, working from home, and our regular daily responsibilities, feeling overwhelmed can begin to feel like "the new normal."
Above the physical tasks that we have, our conscience also can become a burden when we feel like we’re just not doing the best we can. You find yourself asking questions like: Am I a good parent? Am I giving my family enough of my time? Am I feeding my kids healthy food? Are my kids getting the proper education? Are they reading the right books? This internal chatter takes its toll, and if we’re not careful, it can transfer into our parenting. And guess where it goes next? Our self-doubt, pity, and lack of confidence radiate outwardly, and you know who's watching. Giving in to these negative thoughts validates our children’s right to take ownership of their negative thoughts and poor self-perception. With May being National Meditation Month, there is no time better than the present to incorporate mindfulness into your family life.
If you are unfamiliar with the term, mindfulness is the human ability to be fully present - Meditation is a great way to increase your Mindfulness.
Being mindful means that you are aware of where you are and what you are doing at a particular time. Mindfulness minimizes our chances of becoming overly reactive or overwhelmed by what’s going on around us. Being mindful and meditation is not religious. These practices are useful for all people, regardless of their spiritual or religious backgrounds or beliefs.
Research shows that a regular Meditation practice can help with focus, regulate emotions to feel empathy and compassion, manage stress and anxiety, and develop a positive outlook. It’s never too late or too early to introduce positive habits because those formed early in life will likely transform into adult behaviors.
Meditation gives us the opportunity to gift our children the habit of being kind, peaceful, and accepting human beings.
And the best part about it is that it’s easy, free, and there are no rules. Essentially, all you have to do is find a peaceful place to clear your mind and breathe.
Lucky for us - we have a 2 local agencies who would love to help guide you in your journey to incorporate a Meditation practice within your family.
- Inner Alchemy is a collective of Holistic Healing Specialists who offer private online sessions, online classes, events, online shops.
We are here to support you in your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health.
Now more than ever tend to yourself in the most kind and compassionate way possible.
- Parent Trust for Washington Children programs are designed to help parents and caregivers from when they’re preparing for their first newborn to when they’re dealing with the ongoing challenges of raising a family.
Parent Trust's SMART Program (Stress Management and Relaxation Training) is a resource that all families can use!
- Quick, easy to learn stress management/relaxation videos, created in response to coronavirus.
- SMART Online resources including techniques and strategies
Here are 5 tips to get you started:
1) Commit to a regular practice (once a week, twice a week, or daily.)
2) Pick one place or identify several good places to meditate (a quiet spot at home, in a park, on a beach, or even in an open field).
3) Sit comfortably (legs crossed or feet flat on the floor, straightened upper body but not stiff, hands rested wherever they feel most natural, chin dropped, eyes closed or open without focusing on any one thing).
4) Breathe. Pay attention to the physical sensation of breathing -- the air moving through your nose or mouth, the rising and falling of your belly or your chest.
5) Notice how your body feels right now. Notice your thoughts and emotions. Be in the present.
…and that’s it!
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