Introducing Mindfulness
Have you ever noticed how much time we spend imagining all sorts of unpleasant futures or remembering past pain and disappointment? With all this attention to the future and past, we miss out on what is happening right now.
What: Mindfulness is nonjudgmental awareness
Where: Attention to what is happening:
· Inside of us (our thoughts, feelings, impulses, and physical sensations)
· Around us (what we experience with our five senses, people in our lives)
When: In the present moment
How: With openness and curiosity
Why: Studies show that mindful attention reduces stress and defensiveness and gives us the capacity to act in ways that fit with what’s important to us. Studies of brain processes associated with mindfulness show reduced reactivity in the “fear center” of the brain, and increased growth in neural networks that govern self-control, empathy and compassion. Behaviorally, people report significant reductions in stress, enhanced wellbeing and greater effectiveness in their work and in their relationships.
What does this imply for parents and professionals who work with children?
· Let go of your struggle with pain
· Get clear about what’s important to you
· Commit to a living a full, meaningful life
Rather than reacting in stressful situations and behaving in ways that you later regret, you learn strategies that help you take a moment, get in touch with what you value in the situation, and take action toward what’s important to you.
Mindfulness practice opens up possibilities for handling difficult situations and helps you appreciate what life has to offer.
Research has shown that these methods will help you be more effective in your adult and child relationships.
What: Mindfulness is nonjudgmental awareness
Where: Attention to what is happening:
· Inside of us (our thoughts, feelings, impulses, and physical sensations)
· Around us (what we experience with our five senses, people in our lives)
When: In the present moment
How: With openness and curiosity
Why: Studies show that mindful attention reduces stress and defensiveness and gives us the capacity to act in ways that fit with what’s important to us. Studies of brain processes associated with mindfulness show reduced reactivity in the “fear center” of the brain, and increased growth in neural networks that govern self-control, empathy and compassion. Behaviorally, people report significant reductions in stress, enhanced wellbeing and greater effectiveness in their work and in their relationships.
What does this imply for parents and professionals who work with children?
· Let go of your struggle with pain
· Get clear about what’s important to you
· Commit to a living a full, meaningful life
Rather than reacting in stressful situations and behaving in ways that you later regret, you learn strategies that help you take a moment, get in touch with what you value in the situation, and take action toward what’s important to you.
Mindfulness practice opens up possibilities for handling difficult situations and helps you appreciate what life has to offer.
Research has shown that these methods will help you be more effective in your adult and child relationships.
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