One of the best ways to disconnect and de-stress is meditation. “The relaxation response [from meditation] helps lower metabolism, lower blood pressure and improve heart rate, breathing and brain waves. Here are more than 50 scientific benefits of meditation ~ Kerry Lee MacLean’s book Peaceful Piggy Meditation is a tool we can all use. She says: ‘Sometimes it seems like life is all about rushing – there are so many places to go! And sometimes it’s hard when things don’t go your way; It can make a pig angry and sad. How do young piggies find a peaceful place in a busy world? They meditate!” And she’s right. As a family, make an effort to reduce stress and encourage calmer, less aggressive behavior from everyone with meditation. If you need more motivation, here are 15 reasons why your child should meditate and why we should encourage mindfulness for kids.
1. Relaxation
Meditation gives a child the time and space to clear his head and really relax. This is where creative juices flow and kids get into their ‘zone’. This is also where they can begin to get a taste of what it means to become grounded or centered.
Clearing their minds also helps your children get rid of their problems and lowers their stress levels. Stress in a child is just sad. The more we can do to treat the effects of stress, the more joyful our children will feel.
3. Silence
The sound of the word is so, well…noisy. Meditation teaches children not only to be still, but also to appreciate it. It is something beautiful for both parents and children.
4. Listen
Through silence, children acquire the ability to listen. They will be able to better hear their own thoughts and whispers of their soul, as well as the voices of others. This kind of mindfulness for children is exactly what we should try to cultivate.
5. Memory
Better listening skills means better memory. Could this translate into better test scores? A clear possibility.
The relaxation and sense of serenity that meditation enables can help create a calm, effective bedtime routine that enables better quality sleep.
7. More positive behavior
When you are relaxed, don’t you feel and act better? We suspect so. Stress generally does not generate good choices (or good health).
8. Less aggressive behavior
Along with an increase in positive behavior, you can expect a decrease in aggressive outbursts, because let’s face it: a calm child doesn’t behave nearly as much as one who is an anxious mess.
9. Depression
Meditation creates a sense of inner peace and contentment with what is. This can be a fundamental tool to combat depression.
The unique combination of increased memory and concentration can increase a child’s attention span as well as his or her learning ability. This sense of mindfulness for children opens up so many learning opportunities.
11. Feelings
By sitting in silence and learning to focus the mind, a child gains a better understanding of his feelings and how to deal with them.
12. Focus
Do you know how much attention it takes to meditate? For children it is of course even more challenging, in a good way.
13. Trust
The ability to understand and process their feelings, combined with a well-rested and relaxed brain, gives children a healthy self-image.
14. Understanding
Taking the time to mediate helps children see things more clearly and process everything better. This can help in understanding their lives and the challenges they face.
15. Independence
The increase in self-esteem combined with a better understanding of others and the world gives children a sense of self-confidence and the ability to think and act for themselves in ways that you might approve of!
All these benefits of mindfulness for children are just the tip of the iceberg. Meditation is truly an experiential feat, so try it as a family and see how you all collectively feel better.