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Mindfulness is becoming an increasingly more popular meditation technique to help people feel more present within a given moment, as opposed to worrying about the past or fretting over the future. As a result, mindfulness reduces stress and promotes positivity, which in turn, helps a person concentrate. I have teamed up with a sixth form in Somerset to help parents find ways to explore mindfulness with their sons and daughters.
School students, particularly those facing difficult exams, tend to experience high levels of stress from time to time. It might be because they’re struggling with a certain subject, experience friendship problems, or it could be something else altogether. Regardless, if your child seems to be quite anxious about something, it would be wise to encourage them to sit or lay down somewhere comfortable, close their eyes and concentrate on their breathing. Tell them to focus on the air as they inhale and exhale, feeling their chest and tummy move up and down with every breath. This should help your child calm down during a moment of heightened stress.
Focussing on something that is happening within a present moment is what mindfulness is all about, even if it’s something as simple as breathing. It could also be the surroundings, like sounds and smells. Concentrating on the now is essentially a way to pull one’s thoughts away from something that might be making them feel distressed.
If your child’s worries keep them awake at night, encourage them to practise mindfulness whilst they’re trying to fall asleep. Whilst they’re laying comfortable, ask them to observe each part of their body, working up from their toes to the top of the head. Tell them to think about how each of these body parts feels against the sheets and mattress. This should help them feel more relaxed.
