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Mindfulness at Any Age

Mindfulness at Any Age

So, just what is this mindfulness you speak of?

Mindfulness is the basic human ability to be fully present, aware of our thoughts, emotions, or experiences—where we are and what we’re doing, on a moment-to-moment basis. Mindfulness avoids judgment and involves acceptance of feelings, thoughts and bodily sensations.

Now, we know what it is, but why should you practice it?

There has been a great deal of research conducted on the wide-ranging benefits of mindfulness practice. Mindfulness-based approaches can be integrated into many therapies to successfully treat depression, anxiety, ADHD, addiction disorders and even psychosis—just to name a few.

Here are a few ways that mindfulness can be used—at any age:

  • Children-Help children learn to appreciate the abundance in their lives. Establishing a mindfulness practice allows children to check trade their attitude in for gratitude, and can done at dinnertime, as a group or before bed, just one-to-one.
  • Adolescents/Teens-Help your child stay grounded during difficult times using the 3-Senses mindfulness trick (Have your teenager ask themselves 3 tings they hear, see and feel during a stressful situation). By simply noticing what they are experiencing in the moment through their sense of sound, sight and touch can help them increase awareness of present and accept their experience.
  • Adults-Help settle you mind in just a few minutes with some mindful breathing. Take a seat, close your eyes, and breathe in through your nose, and out through your mouth. Repeat this 5-10 times, focusing on your breath and how you are feeling in the moment. This activity is calming and can be performed almost anywhere.

So, what’s next…

Don’t stop here! There is much more to learn about mindfulness. If you think that you might benefit from more advanced mindfulness approaches, but not sure what strategies are best for you, contact The Summit Counseling Center for more information at (678) 893-5300. We have licensed professional therapists trained in mindfulness therapy who can help—no matter your age!