The stresses and strains of daily life take a toll on us all and while this is not news to anyone, the effect it is having on the youth of today is perhaps not as well-documented. The over-stimulation by 21st-century technology combined with lives spent with little or no downtime is leaving the minds of children tired, anxious and depressed.
With suicide rates amongst the young having risen 56% in the last 10 years making it the second leading cause of death for kids ages 10-14, it’s high time something was done to counteract these modern-day stresses. The good news is that there is something you can do to combat the issue and it comes in the form of mindfulness meditation, whether practiced individually or as part of a family group.
Clearer, More Balanced Minds
Practicing mindfulness meditation is something that can help children of all ages to truly unplug from the immersive world in which they currently reside. Essentially, meditation is able to help alleviate stress in children by teaching them how to perform three very basic actions - to stop, to focus and to breathe while also being aware of their immediate surroundings.
This may seem like a particularly simple technique to master, but this relaxation method that can be enjoyed pretty much anywhere at any time and can have a profound effect on a child’s mood, concentration and overall wellbeing. Teaching your kids how to do it themselves truly is a gift that will keep on giving throughout their lives, as it provides them with a set of de-stressing tools to use whenever they need it.
Easy to Perform
Meditation comes in many forms, however, for all intents and purposes, it’s a very simple technique that involves sitting in a quiet area, closing your eyes and bringing your attention to controlling your breath. By focusing on your breathing - and nothing else - your attention will drift away and then back again without prejudice, providing your body and mind with the rest it needs.
This meditative practice is able to promote a state of calm and it’s something that can be enjoyed by anyone, regardless of age or experience. And while it might seem like a difficult task to get your kids to sit still for long enough to enjoy the benefits of meditation, once they experience how calm it makes them feel, they’ll be much easier to convince next time!
Meditate for a More Balance Life
Kids are influenced by more factors than ever as we approach the 2020s and practices like mindfulness meditation are going to become more and more important going forward. Technology is showing no signs of going away, in fact, it’s probably going to become ever more integrated into our lives in the future.
If you provide your kids with the ability to control their mood, energy, concentration levels and feelings of wellbeing, you give them the tools for a successful and balanced life - and that’s something they’ll thank you for and hopefully teach their children too.